Kamloops has challenged Nanaimo to see who can reduce power usage the most in support of Earth Hour this year.

Last year, Kamloops lowered its energy consumption 3.6 per cent and placed 15th out of 91 registered communities. Amanda Wells, environmental educator for the City, encourages everyone to do what they can to beat that milestone on Saturday.

Earth Hour takes places from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For those 60 minutes, Wells asked people to enjoy candlelight instead of powered lights or take part in the Dim Swim at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

The swim runs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This year, people who have an account with B.C. Hydro can track their energy use through MyHydro, an online tool at www.bchydro.com/myhydro.

The website provides timely information on household electricity consumption, giving customers the ability to make informed decisions year-round.

Customers can also compare their electricity use on the Saturday prior to Earth House with their actual output during Earth Hour.

British Columbians saved 121-megawatt hours of electricity during Earth Hour in 2012, the equivalent of turning off about nine million 12.5-watt LED light bulbs.

Earth Hour began in Australia in 2007 and has since spread to more than 130 countries. Events started in Kamloops in 2008.

For ideas on how to spend Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org.