ATLANTA – The ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World pledge campaign kicks off Wednesday, October 5, 2005. Taking the pledge is simple and easy. It does not take much time or require a lot of energy! In fact, taking the pledge is as simple as changing a light bulb.

From October 1 through November 30, Georgia residents are encouraged to take the “Change a Light” pledge and change at least one standard light bulb in their home to an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). When standard light bulbs are replaced with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, consumers save energy and money every time they turn on the light. Additionally, Georgia’s energy resources and environment are protected.

ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use a more advanced technology than incandescent light bulbs, and come in a wide range of styles and sizes. CFLs last six to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting, use two-thirds less energy and provide the same amount of light. CFLs are available at most home improvement retail stores.

The smallest things can add up to a real difference. If every American home replaced just five high-use incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR bulbs, each home would save more than $60 a year in energy costs. The five highest use fixtures in a home are typically the kitchen ceiling light, the living room table and floor lamps, bathroom vanity, and outdoor porch or post lamp.

Georgia Power encourages its customers to practice energy efficiency year round. For more information on how to save energy and money, please call Georgia Power – The Energy Expert® at 1-800-524-2421. Or visit the website at www.georgiapower.com. For additional information about the ENERGY STAR “Change a Light” pledge, visit www.energystar.gov/changealight.

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, serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are well below the national average, and its 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.