But if the very fate of the planet depends on energy conservation, why light up any snowflakes at all?

FIVE FOOT SNOWFLAKES ILLUMINATE SAN FRANCISCO MARKET STREET 6:00 PM TODAY

Market Street shoppers will be treated to the illumination of nearly 100 5-foot-wide snowflakes — adorned with energy-efficient LED bulbs — decorating the “Path of Gold,” a row of street lamps that line the historic shopping district between Second and Fifth streets.

The snowflakes will be turned on during an official ceremony at 6 p.m. and will stay on through mid-January.
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Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to attend...

Even LED Lights do use electricity

In real money terms, if a 100 Watt incandescent bulb is used for 1 year, with an electrical cost of 10 cents/kilowatt hour, $88 will be spent on electricity costs. Of the $88 expense, $70 will have been used to heat the room, not light the room. If an 80% efficient LED system had been used, the electricity cost would be $23 per year - there would be a cost savings of $65 on electricity during the year.