The Jefferson County Commission today recognized Alabama Power for winning the "Water Conservationist of the Year" award from the Alabama Wildlife Federation. The recognition came during today's Jefferson County Commission meeting.

"Alabama Power is one of Jefferson County's leading corporate citizens, and this award is one more example of the company's leadership," said Jefferson County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins.

The wildlife federation named Alabama Power its Water Conservationist of the Year in recognition of the company's leading role in the Renew Our Rivers cleanup campaign. The wildlife federation will present the award to Alabama Power during a banquet July 25.

"The honors being collected by Renew Our Rivers from the Jefferson County Commission, the Alabama Wildlife Federation and others is testament to the thousands of volunteers who make this cleanup campaign so successful. They are the ones who deserve the credit," said Charles McCrary, Alabama Power president and CEO.

In just three years, Renew Our Rivers has grown into one of the largest campaigns of its kind in the nation, with 14 annual cleanups along the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers. To date, volunteers have removed more than 1.3 million pounds of trash and debris from Alabama waterways.

Last year, Renew Our Rivers received a national award for litter prevention from Keep America Beautiful. The organization described Renew Our Rivers, with its more than 2,200 volunteers from more than 75 organizations, as a model for communities nationwide.

This year, in conjunction with Renew Our Rivers, the Alabama Power Foundation is distributing $10,000 in environmental education grants to teachers. The grants will be used to promote recycling and educate students about the importance of protecting Alabama's valuable water resources.

To learn more about Renew Our Rivers and Alabama Power's environmental commitment, visit www.alabamapower.com . For more information about the Alabama Power Foundation, visit www.alabamapowerfoundation.com .

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company , owns and operates 14 hydroelectric plants in Alabama, providing clean, low- cost electricity. The lakes created by the facilities provide more than 157,000 acres of water and more than 4,000 miles of shoreline for the public's use and enjoyment.

SOURCE: Alabama Power Company