The Utility in Service

"In service" is one of those phrases of simplicity with a lot of deeper meanings. Usually, if you're thinking of it in partnership with an electric utility, you're thinking, "Hooray, my power's on, and everything's working. Whew." But, the concept of service goes much deeper than keeping lights on and fridges chilling.

Today, we celebrate a man who lived his life in service---to a cause, to a community, to a philosophy, to change. Dr. Martin Luther King even gave his life in service. And, with that in mind, I've been thinking a lot today about how utilities provide service to communities---beyond the basics of selling power.

Now, providing electricity is a powerful bit of community service, no doubt. I'm sure every man and woman working at an electric utility anywhere in this world would like to be able to bundle up that service, or grab the world's longest power line, and personally run it down to Haiti to help with the earthquake efforts. But, alas, such superhero feats aren't humanly possible.

But, that doesn't keep some utilities from moving beyond power production to community service. These aren't superhero efforts, it's true. But, they all add up to make a difference.

Georgia Power and Southern Company urged their employees to honor Dr. King's legacy by volunteering today. This year, in addition to the company's traditional annual activities, they are teaming up with the city of Atlanta and the King Center to focus on energy-efficiency projects.

One project involves replacing the shower heads and faucet aerators at all city of Atlanta natatoriums with new, efficient ones that save water and energy. Additionally, an energy-audit assessment and improvements will be made to the MLK natatorium.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed commented, "This effort to improve energy efficiency in city facilities and in the Atlanta community is not only symbolic of King's vision, but represents a real contribution to people's livelihoods."

Georgia Power employees also will be giving away 6,000 compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and staffing interactive displays at the King Center on Monday to educate attendees on energy efficiency. In addition to the displays and give-a ways, the company has coordinated with volunteers from the King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church to distribute or change out inefficient light bulbs in a low-income housing development and to residents in Atlanta's Fourth Ward.

And, Georgia Power isn't the only utility in service its community today.

Constellation Energy today announced that it is taking applications for its first EcoStar Grant program, which will provide qualifying nonprofit organizations with funds to implement projects on environmental stewardship. Grant awards will be up to $5,000, with funds provided by the Constellation Energy Foundation.

The EcoStar Grant program will target community-based projects that fit into one or more of five stewardship categories: pollution prevention, education and outreach, energy efficiency, conservation and community activism.

Constellation Energy also recently announced that it intends to join the ranks of companies that give 1 percent or more of their annual operating income to support charitable organizations and causes. In keeping with that goal, the EcoStar Grant program joins a range of initiatives, donations and grants targeting the company’s key areas of focus---energy, education, economic growth and the environment.

Georgia Power and Constellation are just two in a number of new programs and goals for American power companies. From volunteerism to the environment, utilities are taking a bold step forward in giving back to the communities they live and work in, providing service in every meaning of the word---keeping the lights on both literally and figuratively.

As Dr. King once said, "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."

It's nice to see utilities choosing to bask in the light.