Georgia Power earned the 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year award for Program Delivery from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) in recognition for educating and delivering energy-efficiency programs to consumers throughout Georgia.

The company won the Excellence in Energy Star Promotion Award in 2007, 2008 and 2009, but this is the first time Georgia Power has won Partner of the Year.

An Energy Star partner since 2004, Georgia Power has introduced energy efficiency and the Energy Star brand to consumers in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Since the company began these customer education campaigns and programs, consumer research conducted in November 2009 showed awareness of Energy Star is up 72 percent in Georgia since 2006.

Among the programs that have contributed to increased awareness is the company’s promotion of the Energy Star New Home program, which has encouraged builders across the state to build more than 4,300 Energy Star-qualified homes since 2007. For this program, Georgia Power won the Excellence in Housing Award from the EPA in 2009.

Additionally, Georgia Power has encouraged customers to participate in the “Change the World, Start with Energy Star” campaign.

All of the measures the utility is taking to promote energy efficiency are based on awareness and education. Georgia Power can serve as an example for more than just other utilities. Even contractors can serve as a conduit for energy-efficiency knowledge.