ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) named Georgia Power as a 2007 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award winner for its “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign launched in Georgia last year. The company was recognized for its accomplishments in promoting energy efficiency at an awards ceremony today in Washington, D.C.
An ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, Georgia Power gave away 80,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) through its Change a Light campaign, resulting in Georgia leading the nation as the state with the largest number of consumers taking the pledge to change at least one standard light bulb in their home to an ENERGY STAR CFL. The company received 71,000 customer pledges and provided nearly 10,000 CFLs to low-income housing authorities.
“Georgia Power is committed to educating Georgians on the importance of energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and help protect the environment,” said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett. “We’re honored to have been recognized by the EPA and DOE as one of the leading utilities in the ENERGY STAR Change a Light campaign.”
According to the ENERGY STAR web site, Georgia Power customers who took the change a light pledge will help save $1.8 million in energy costs and prevent 29.8 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
“With Georgia’s population continuing to grow and energy demands increasing, it’s critical that Georgia Power play a leading role in helping customers find ways to save money on their energy bills while also protecting the environment,” said Georgia Power’s Marketing Issues Manager Dean Harless.
“The Change a Light campaign has made a tangible difference toward that goal and fits well with Georgia Power’s overall energy efficiency program. We look forward to expanding our partnership with ENERGY STAR to offer customers energy efficient appliances and homes as well,” Harless said.
The Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).