ElectriCities Honored with 2009 NERO Public Outreach Award

7/28/2009 3:16:38 PM

Raleigh, NC, July 28,2009 – ElectriCities was recently presented the 2009 Public Outreach Award from the National Energy Resources Organization (NERO), for efforts to inform,involve and enhance public awareness of energy issues through its Hometown Green initiative. Specifically, ElectriCities was recognized for energy efficiency programs, web content and online tools such as Energy Depot, distribution of energy-efficiency kits and residential energy audits.

Following a nomination by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the award was presented by Congressman Heath Shuler at NERO’s Annual Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. In his comments, Congressman Shuler commended ElectriCities for its commitment to energy efficiency.

Hometown Green is ElectriCities’ new awareness initiative to promote energy-smart habits among public power customers. The campaign was launched in March with advertisements placed in newspapers across the state, incorporating the slogan: “We’rePainting the Town Green.”

Going forward, Hometown Green will serve as ElectriCities’ branding for energy-efficiency and energy conservation strategies and information.

“Receiving this award is a great testament to the efforts made by NC Public Power to educate customers about wise energy use,” said T.Graham Edwards, CEO of ElectriCities. “In the past several years, we’ve launched numerous initiatives such as residential energy audits, an on-line energy audit tool and the new NCPublicPower.com website, all with the goal of educating customers about their energy choices. We are so pleased that our Hometown Green initiative and all of the programs it encompasses was recognized by NERO.”

The NERO awards program honors individuals and organizations in the U.S. who have made a commitment to energy efficiency. ElectriCities was one of four award recipients at the awards dinner – other winners in other categories were Whole Foods, Raytheon and Kentucky Power.

Washington-based NERO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to engage individuals and groups in dialogue on energy issues, recognize outstanding achievements in the advancement of energy policy, public outreach, innovation and distinguished service, and promote public awareness.  NERO is a collection of trade associations and companies representing all aspects of the energy industry.  It includes electric utilities, oil, natural gas, nuclear power and independent marketers.