Baltimore's Iconic Domino Sugars Sign Going Dark Saturday For Earth Hour

Baltimore's iconic Domino Sugars sign is going dark.

Don't worry, it's just for an hour. The Locust Point refinery will turn off the lighted sign for an hour starting at 8:30 p.m. as part of Earth Hour, a worldwide initiative of the World Wildlife Fund where people turn off lights to inspire environmental action.

The Earth Hour initiative started in Sydney in 2007 and has grown to more than 172 countries and territories worldwide.

“The Domino Sugars sign has long been a sign that the Port of Baltimore is working,” Peter O’Malley, vice president of corporate relations for refinery owner ASR Group, said in a statement. “[Saturday] our sign will also convey the refinery’s ongoing commitment to working more sustainably. We demonstrate this commitment year-round by conserving energy, waste and water, and Earth Hour is an excellent opportunity to inspire others to do the same.”

In 2014, crews installed a solar array at the refinery. The solar panels produce more than enough power to run the sign, which has been up for 65 years. The 94-year-old plant employs 485 and refines 14 percent of the nation's cane sugar.