CITGO Petroleum Corporation has launched the third edition of its CITGO−Venezuela Energy Efficient Lighting Program. This social responsibility program will provide 500,000 energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to qualifying households across 17 U.S. cities. It is expected that this year, the CITGO−Venezuela Energy Efficient Lighting Program will help approximately 50,000 low−income households save energy. Launched in 2008 as a pilot program, the 2012 initiative begins at the start of the summer season, when electricity bills are expected to rise."CITGO is committed to environmental stewardship and we are pleased to offer assistance to help families in need save on their energy costs this summer," said CITGO President and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Granado. "CFL bulbs have clear environmental and economic benefits and in providing energy efficient lighting resources for families, we seek to encourage energy conservation in the community."Over their lifetime, the CFLs distributed through this program this year will save almost $18 million in energy costs, nearly 185 million kilowatt hours and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 271 million pounds; equivalent to removing more than 24,000 cars from the road.