The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Georgia Power the 2011-2012 National Pledge Leader for its "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" campaign. The campaign encourages consumers to take small steps that make a big difference to save energy and help the environment.

This year, Georgia Power collected 107,657 pledges from consumers through local offices, energy efficiency fairs and community outreach events.

"Energy efficiency is a top priority for Georgia Power and we see tremendous value in educating and helping our customers use energy wisely, save money and protect the environment," said Angela Strickland, Georgia Power's Energy Efficiency director. "Our efforts to build awareness around these issues are paying off, and we appreciate the recognition from EPA for our endeavors."

An ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, Georgia Power has exchanged more than 680,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) with customers for pledges since participating in its first EPA annual pledge campaign in 2006.

The company previously held the first place ranking in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Georgia Power has consistently ranked among the top three in the national pledge campaign all six years of its participation.

"This six-year campaign continues to engage and educate more than 100,000 customers annually on ways they can lower their energy costs and energy consumption," said Strickland. "Not only that, but it also gives us great opportunities to talk with our customers one-on-one and provide them with energy- and money-saving solutions."

The Change the World pledge campaign is a part of Georgia Power's EarthCents initiative, a portfolio of energy efficiency programs created to help residential and business customers save money, use energy efficiently and help the environment.