ATLANTA, April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power employees from across the state will again trade in their hard hats and suits for rakes and trash bags to mark Earth Day this week. The company's annual involvement in Earth Day activities is part of Georgia Power's longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and builds on a record-setting 2013 during which employees and retirees took the company's vision of "being a citizen wherever we serve" to new heights, performing an all-time high of 147,000 volunteer hours around the state. This milestone included 2013 Earth Day volunteer activities, as well as work performed on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, holiday programs such as collecting gifts for local children and food for food banks and much more.

Each year on Earth Day, employees are encouraged to focus on service projects that help preserve the environment and strengthen the communities in which they live and work.  This year, hundreds of employees will take part in dozens of local events working together and with neighbors and community partners. Just a few of the projects include partnering with Keep Henry Beautiful to pick up trash and debris along the roadside of Patrick Henry Parkway in Henry County, cleaning up several roadways in Bainbridge and Valdosta and distributing Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) at Columbus State University.

Even if you aren't able to participate in Earth Day activities in your community, Georgia Power is providing five simple tips to make focusing on energy efficiency, and saving money, easy on Earth Day and all summer:  

• Evaluate your thermostat - Set manual thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer for peak efficiency and make the most of programmable thermostats, including decreasing use when you're not home.
• Yard work can improve efficiency - Keep plants and brush at least three feet away from outside heating and cooling units so they can operate more efficiently.
• Light right - Where possible, replace standard bulbs with ENERGY STAR^® certified CFLs or LEDs. These bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last for years longer.
• Buy a cover for your swimming pool - An uncovered heated pool is an enormous energy waster and can easily cost more than heating a whole home! Whether or not your pool is heated, installing a cover can reduce evaporation and diminish algae formation, lowering water treatment requirements.
• Install a water-heater timer - Installing a timer, which can be set to heat water four to five hours a day or less, may result in significant monthly savings.

For more information about Georgia Power's commitment to the community, and additional Earth Day energy-saving tips, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, advanced coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

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SOURCE Georgia Power