Gulf Power president and CEO Susan Story will be in Washington Wednesday participating in the unveiling of a new report from McKinsey & Company that recommends a national strategy for energy efficiency and conservation measures.

The study, entitled “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy,” was sponsored by several governmental agencies, environmental groups and utilities, including Southern Company, Gulf Power’s parent firm.

The report will be a valuable tool to help identify the substantial potential of energy efficiency initiatives and promote greater teamwork among stakeholders.

“Southern Company is pleased to participate in McKinsey & Company’s report to help bring energy efficiency to the forefront of discussions among all stakeholders — including customers, utilities, regulators, Congress, environmental organizations and manufacturers — in creating our energy future.” Story said.  “We hope this report can serve as a catalyst to move energy efficiency forward as a critical element in addressing our energy challenges in the years ahead.”

Gulf Power Company has a long history of promoting energy efficiency, inventing the Good Cents Home program in the 1970s, an initiative that has been used by more than 200 utilities nationwide. Recently Gulf Power has expanded and renamed the program EarthCents to offer customer incentives that save money and help the environment.

“We understand that promoting energy efficiency produces both an economic and environmental benefit for our customers,” Story said.  “This report shows the potential is great to do both.

Notes to editors:

• The report will be launched at a press conference on Wednesday, July 29 from 9:30 to 10:30 am EDT at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
• The full report will be available at 10:30 am EDT on Wednesday, July 29 at www.mckinsey.com/USenergyefficiency.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. The company is a tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.