ATLANTA, Oct. 4, 2011 -- Reinforcing its commitment to helping customers save money and energy, Georgia Power is introducing new lighting incentives through its EarthCents Lighting and Appliance Program. Beginning this month, customers will receive special pricing provided by Georgia Power when they purchase ENERGY STAR® qualified compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) at participating The Home Depot and Costco stores statewide, while supplies last. Customers will be able to choose from a variety of bulb sizes and watts. No coupons are needed as customers will receive immediate savings at the register.  

Using CFLs is an easy way for customers to become more energy efficient.  ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs, and can save more than $30 over the life of the bulb.  

In addition to offering special pricing incentives, Georgia Power also kicks off its sixth annual nationally recognized "Change a Light, Change the World" ENERGY STAR campaign. It is anticipated that more than 100,000 customers will pledge to change at least one standard incandescent light bulb to an efficient ENERGY STAR qualified CFL. Through the pledge, customers are also encouraged to choose ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and products, make sure their homes are properly sealed and insulated, recycle old inefficient second refrigerators and make other energy-efficient lifestyle changes. Customers can take the pledge online at georgiapower.com/changetheworld.

These efforts are part of Georgia Power's new EarthCents initiative. "EarthCents is Georgia Power's portfolio of energy efficiency programs created to help our customers save money, use energy efficiently and help the environment," said Angela Strickland, Georgia Power's director of energy efficiency. "A small step like pledging to change at least one incandescent bulb in a home or business to a CFL can do just that. Energy efficiency is a priority for Georgia Power and we see tremendous value in offering our customers opportunities to take action through EarthCents programs and campaigns."  

Since the company's first campaign in 2006, more than 560,000 CFLs have been distributed to customers in exchange for a pledge. Additionally, the company has hosted over 1,200 consumer energy efficiency education events to reach customers statewide. For its efforts, Georgia Power has been recognized as one of EPA's top three national pledge leaders for five consecutive years.  

If household customers are looking for a place to recycle used CFLs, Georgia Power has partnered with The Home Depot to offer recycling for compact fluorescent light bulbs at all 88 retail stores in Georgia. Georgia Power sponsors the in-store bins which creates the state's most widespread recycling program for CFLs and brings relatively convenient recycling within reach of most households.  

Georgia Power encourages its customers to practice energy efficiency year-round. For additional information about EarthCents and to learn about available rebate offers such as appliance rebates, visit georgiapower.com/earthcents. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit 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 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.