ATLANTA – To celebrate today’s launch of the national ENERGY STAR® “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign, Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett kicked off the company’s own month-long series of activities to promote energy efficiency with an event at its corporate headquarters.
The central element of the Change a Light campaign encourages consumers to take the Change a Light pledge. Those taking the pledge promise to change at least one standard light bulb in their home to an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). When they do, consumers take a small step to save money and energy.
Georgia Power will promote the campaign statewide at its local offices through November. While supplies last, Georgia Power will give its customers a free CFL when they complete and turn in a Change a Light pledge card at one of the local offices. To help drive the number of pledges, the company plans to give away more than 70,000 CFLs.
The Change a Light campaign is a joint effort of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
At Georgia Power’s kick-off event, Garrett was joined by Karen Harbert, DOE Assistant Secretary – Office of Policy and International Affairs for a media conference and energy efficiency fair for Georgia Power employees. Other distinguished guests representing the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the EPA and DOE were also in attendance.
“Georgia residents are seeing a rise in their energy costs and we want to help. Georgia Power is taking a leading role in educating consumers about energy efficiency. We are the largest electric utility in the state and a proud ENERGY STAR partner,” Garrett said.
“One of the easiest ways consumers can begin saving energy and money is by using ENERGY STAR qualified compact florescent lighting.”
By changing one incandescent bulb to an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, customers can save as much as $30 on energy costs over the life of the CFL.
In addition to the media conference and employee fair, Georgia Power will host or participate in various events throughout the campaign to promote energy efficiency. The events include:
• A Georgia Power local office CFL give-away campaign for customers who take the “Change a Light” pledge. This event begins October 2 and the company expects to give away 70,000 bulbs.
• In-store events beginning October 7, at 10 metro Atlanta Home Depot stores. Customers will receive information on the benefits of using ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. Those who elect to take the “Change a Light” pledge will be provided a “buy one, get one free” coupon for ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. Approximately 10,000 bulbs will be given away through the coupon redemption.
• Georgia Power will also work with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) to change out incandescent light bulbs in a low- income residential housing complex. GIPL is a non-profit organization that works with faith communities on issues of energy conservation and creation care. Approximately 2,500 incandescent light bulbs are expected to be changed out with CFLs through this initiative.
Georgia Power encourages its customers to practice energy efficiency year-round. To take the “Change a Light” pledge, please call 1-800-306-5261 or pledge online at www.georgiapower.com. For additional tips on how to save energy and money, please call Georgia Power – The Energy Expert® at 1-800-524-2421 or visit our website. To learn more about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.
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 2.25 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.