A Glaring Exception

It’s that time of year again: to mail cards, trim the tree--and complain about the light display at Trinity Broadcasting Network headquarters in Costa Mesa.

But this December, the complaints--usually centered around matters of taste--have had greater resonance as the state endures its worst energy crisis in more than two decades.

In previous years, Trinity kept the lights blazing despite the comments. But this month, in response to public requests from power companies, the religious broadcaster is listening. For the past 11 days, the lights haven’t fully gone on until after 8 p.m. and were shut off shortly after midnight. Previously, the lights shone from dusk to dawn.

Thousands of tiny white lights blanket the 6-acre complex and its garden, which overlooks the San Diego Freeway. A glowing “Happy Birthday Jesus” sign sits on the roof of Trinity’s ornate three-story building, which opened 2 1/2 years ago.

“We’ve voluntarily complied with the recommendation [from the utility companies],” said Colby May, a Trinity spokesman in Washington, D.C. “This is an issue for everyone in this part of California.”

Costa Mesa Mayor Libby Cowan said she wishes Trinity officials would pull the plug on their decorative displays for the entire night during the energy shortage.

“I have not personally put lights up at my home this year in support of the energy crisis,” Cowan said. “I think it behooves all of us to be good citizens. While it might not affect us directly, someone in the western part of the United States may have to go without heat.”

Cowan said anyone who puts up energy-guzzling holiday light displays--including South Coast Plaza, Trinity’s neighbor across the freeway--should rethink the decorations.

May pointed out that the tiny, low-voltage lights, while visible, don’t consume as much energy as a single afternoon of taping in the network’s on-site television studios.

But it’s the dense strings of white lights, attached to Trinity’s buildings, fences, shrubs and trees, that draw the attention.

“We’re in a real crisis, and it takes everyone to help,” said Eloise Budd, a Newport Beach resident who has called Trinity twice to complain. “It concerns me that each of us is turning off the light as we leave a room, and they have this display. It’s beautiful, sure, but they’re not doing their part.”

Valerie Bloom of Irvine said she was driving down the San Diego Freeway earlier this month listening to a radio news report about the state’s energy crisis. And then she looked out her window and saw Trinity’s lights.

“It just seems to be an awful overuse of energy,” Bloom said. “I just think they’re being a little excessive.”

Southern California Edison officials won’t comment on individual customers.

“We have encouraged conservation,” said SCE spokesman Steve Conroy. “Holiday lighting is an opportunity for customers to make a decision on their own. We’re not telling our customers not to use them but to delay using them.”

The Christian television network, founded in 1973, is shown on 1,500 television stations, 16 satellites and thousands of cable systems worldwide, Trinity officials said.

May said he doesn’t know why Trinity draws more complaints than others who put up holiday lights.

“I’m sort of baffled by it,” May said. “Obviously, we’re all users of electric power. We’ve more than met our [recommended cutback] on a volunteer basis. There’s a disconnect with the community.”

Cowan said she believes Trinity officials use the massive display of lights, in part, to be seen and talked about.

“I think that Trinity does draw more attention, and that’s their intent--to draw attention,” Cowan said. “With the amount of decorations and lack of aesthetics, that draws complaints.”

May said the decorations--most of which stay up year-round--are important for Trinity, especially during the Christmas season: “The reason for the lights is to announce to the world the joy and wonder of the birth of Jesus Christ.”