ATLANTA -- Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers today announced a statewide education initiative to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of using energy wisely and efficiently.

As a part of the program, the company is placing nearly a dozen education coordinators around the state.  Beginning this fall, the education coordinators will target third, fifth and eighth grade programs to deliver energy efficiency messages through "in-class field trips," using hands-on activities, Web-based learning, and educational/career awareness events.  A program will be piloted to high school students on a limited basis.  

In particular, these energy educators will focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects in Georgia schools.  The program also will build awareness around careers in the electric utility industry, help create well-informed future energy purchasers and cover topics relevant to the industry.

"This initiative is a key component of our energy education efforts across the state of Georgia," stated Bowers.  "This program will focus on developing classroom experiences for children that highlight the crucial role energy plays in our daily lives."

Georgia Power will collaborate with the State Board of Education, educators and stakeholders as it develops and deploys curriculum. Activities will be designed to teach specific curricular principles relating to energy efficiency that have been integrated in the required learning objectives.  These objectives can and will be part of the national science "common core" standards and congruent with Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS).

"I am excited about this new Georgia Power initiative and encouraged that the company's resources will help build a strong foundation that will positively benefit our students, teachers and communities," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge.  "I am committed to supporting Georgia Power's efforts as they work directly with educators in our local districts."

This initiative, the company's latest foray into focusing on education, is a significant step but not a departure from the over 100 years of support the company has provided being a "Citizen Wherever We Serve."  From supporting Junior Achievement to providing new teacher assistance grants to camps aimed at giving students hands-on experience about the importance of math and science in energy and environmental careers, the company has been an active partner in developing future leaders.

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 below the national average.  Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.