Georgia Power today won The PACE Award for the best corporate commute options program in the large company category at the second annual PACE Award luncheon held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. PACE, “Partnering Atlanta’s Commuting Employees,” recognizes employers who offer alternative commute options that encourage employees to commute without driving alone in their cars. The PACE awards are presented by the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Commute Connections program and The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Georgia Power’s SmartRide program has offered alternative commute options to Southern Company and Georgia Power metro-Atlanta employees since 1992. More than 800 employees currently participate through carpooling, vanpooling, MARTA, CCT and other means. Last month alone, these employees saved over 400,000 vehicle miles and approximately 3,500 pounds of ozone-forming emissions in Atlanta.

“Finding viable ways to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips improves Atlanta’s air quality and reduces traffic congestion,” says Susan Carter, SmartRide coordinator. “Employees benefit from lower vehicle operation costs, incentives such as MARTA and vanpool subsidies, and reduced stress. And the region benefits from less cars on the road.”

In addition to maintaining a strong alternative-commute option program, Georgia Power also supports the introduction of electric vehicles to the Atlanta market and is working to build an infrastructure that can support these alternative-choice vehicles.

“Zero-emission electric vehicles can be part of the overall solution to air quality problems in major U.S. cities, and Georgia Power is committed to providing efficient electric alternatives that enhance the lives of our customers and employees,” explains Mike Anderson, Georgia Power manager of electric transportation. “We want to ensure Atlanta is among the best prepared communities in the nation when EVs reach the commercial market.”