PORTLAND – The Public Utilities Commission marked the sale Thursday of the millionth compact fluorescent light under a state incentive program to promote the use of the energy-saving bulbs and curb demand for electricity.

Justine Carlisle of South Portland bought the millionth CFL at Maine Hardware, where PUC Chairman Kurt Adams lauded the success of his agency’s Efficiency Maine program, which offers $1.50 coupons for such purchases.

One million CFLs in Maine homes represent a savings of more than $46 million in electricity costs and the elimination of 194,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the PUC said.