(CHARLOTTE) -- Duke Energy has unveiled plans to distribute 10 million free compact fluorescent light bulbs this year. This latest announcement come as the Charlotte-based utility completed a similar campaign in 2010.

Last year, Duke Energy distributed more than 10 million free CFLs to approximately one million residential customers. The company claims this translates into saving enough energy to power nearly 45,000 homes. Put another way, Duke said the energy saved offsets the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions as is produced annually by 70,000 passenger vehicles. Duke Energy hopes to match these results in 2011.

"Duke Energy's long-term efficiency and conservation vision is to encourage consumers to adopt more energy-conscious living habits," said Gianna Manes, Duke Energy's senior vice president of retail customer products and services.  "Since lighting represents 10 percent to 15 percent of Duke Energy's residential energy use, installing CFLs is an easy first step to saving energy and money."

Duke Energy residential customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio can request complimentary CFLs be delivered to their homes by going on line at: www.duke-energy.com/freecflsnow. Customers may also call (800) 943-7585 and choose option one to request the bulbs.