POWERGRAMS

ENVIRONMENT Alabama Power employees joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham in celebrating the university's Earth Month Festival. Because Earth Day on April 22 falls during spring exams, UAB hosted its activities April 9. Alabama Power for the second year joined other organizations and vendors at the outdoor festival to educate students, faculty and staff about sustainability and how they can participate in the workplace and at home. Broadening their scope in 2015, employees from Birmingham Division Marketing and Public Relations told attendees about energy efficiency improvements in appliances and electric transportation as well stewardship opportunities. "We are always looking for ways to support community initiatives," said Birmingham Division Market Specialist Rusty Thomas, who headed the project. "This was a great opportunity for us to interact with their students and faculty and show them what Alabama Power has to offer." Marketing Specialists Mike Rhodes and John Morris hosted electric cooking demonstrations, giving attendees samples of bananas Foster. On induction cooktops set up in their booth, Rhodes and Morris taught induction cooking methods and the energy-efficient benefits of electric cooking. Plug-in electric vehicles were displayed as students talked with Market Specialists Kevin Grigsby and Robert Richardson about the latest mode of transportation. "Even if the students are not in the market for one of these vehicles, we know we are planting a seed for the future," said Thomas. Public Relations employees spent time talking with many visitors about the company's conservation efforts. Communications Specialist Sarah Reid Harris handed out Renew Our Rivers reusable bags and explained the volunteer opportunities with the nationally recognized cleanup program. "We chose reusable bags so that people will be reminded of their conservation role. It is one more way we can spread our message and show people the way that Renew Our Rivers is having an impact on rivers and lakes across the southeast," said Harris. Harris shared the Renew Our Rivers schedule with students in hopes of attracting volunteers for future cleanups. "I just learned about Renew Our Rivers today," said Marlee Hayes, president of UAB's Marine and Field Biology Club. "Our organization is always looking for service projects in the area. This would be a project that would be interesting to our members but also gives us a chance to make a difference." Communications Specialists Freddy Padilla and Allison Westlake helped educate attendees about Alabama Power's lakes, distributing copies of Shorelines magazine. "I saw the long line and wondered what was going on," said Alexis Gilmore, who is enrolled in UAB's alternative master's program for elementary education. "When I got closer, I saw all of the information about the lakes. I love being on the water and wanted to learn more." Dave Folk, a contract employee with Alabama Power in Technology and Budget, showed the Shorelines app on an iPad set up in the booth. "I loved learning about the Shorelines app and what is being developed for the lakes. It's really applicable and an app that I will actually use," said Gilmore. Communications Specialist Katie Kilcoyne shared information about Alabama Power's customer service app. "We had a great team out here today. I know UAB appreciates our participation and this has been a great opportunity for us to share with their students," said Thomas. UAB students, staff explore energy efficiency on Earth Day 2 Eufaula's historic Shorter Mansion is the hub for Alabama's oldest tour of homes, which is supported annually by volunteers from Alabama Power. ON THE COVER: More than 350 students visited the Alabama Power booth. Photo by Chris Jones

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