Georgia Power announced today that it has launched its annual pledge drive in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR®" campaign. Georgia Power has supported the campaign since 2006 by encouraging customers to pledge to take small steps to save money and energy by making basic energy efficiency upgrades, such as changing incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR certified compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). The company is consistently ranked as a top EPA National Pledge Leader for the campaign. Earlier this year, Georgia Power was recognized by the EPA as the overall 2013 national pledge leader.

The launch of the pledge drive corresponds with Customer Service Appreciation Week, a national event recognizing the importance of customer service. ENERGY STAR certified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs, and can save more than $30in energy costs over the life of the bulb.  Since 2006, Georgia Power has distributed more than 830,000 CFLs to customers in exchange for energy efficiency pledges.

"Small changes, like simply changing a light bulb, can have a huge impact on energy use and provide long term savings," said Michele Wagner, director of energy efficiency for Georgia Power. "We've supported this campaign year after year to reinforce our ongoing efforts to help our customers become more energy efficient, save money and help protect the environment." 

Customers can participate by taking the pledge online at www.georgiapower.com, by completing the pledge card included in October Georgia Power bills or by visiting a local Georgia Power office. Other savings options offered as part of the pledge include considering ENERGY STAR certified appliances and products, ensuring that homes are properly sealed and insulated, and recycling older, inefficient second refrigerators.

Georgia Power is also encouraging customers to take advantage of no-cost recycling of old or broken CFLs at Home Depot retail stores throughout the state.  Through a continued partnership with The Home Depot, Georgia Power sponsors in-store recycling bins, creating the state's most widespread recycling program for CFLs and bringing relatively convenient recycling within reach of most households.