Atlanta Proud to Participate in Earth Hour 2009

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced today the City of Atlanta has agreed to "turn out" once again as an official Flagship City for Earth Hour 2009. On Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time, individuals, businesses and local government officials throughout Atlanta are encouraged to take part in this historic evening by turning off non-essential lights for one hour in support for a call to action on climate change in the U.S. and around the world.

Hundreds of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead are anticipated to go dark in honor of the event, as well as many of the neighborhoods throughout the city. This is the second year Atlanta will be an official Flagship City, with event organizers hoping to build on last year's successful participation, which saw more than 400 buildings, and an estimated 97% of the city's skyline go dark for one hour. In addition, the event generated significant national media attention for the city, with features highlighting Atlanta's involvement on ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS and National Public Radio.

From Amman to Warsaw, Atlanta will join the skylines of more than 400 cities in 74 countries in what will be the largest climate awareness event in history. Around the world, the list of participating cities includes Auckland, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv and Toronto, with more expected to sign on in the weeks ahead. In the U.S., Atlanta will be joined by other Flagship and Key Supporting cities including: Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York, and San Francisco.

Leading up to the event on Saturday, March 28, WWF is working with a large cross-section of public and private entities to coordinate their participation in the initiative. To help it plan and promote the event in Atlanta, WWF has partnered with Creaxion®, one of Atlanta's leading marketing firms. Mayor Franklin, Dr. Darron Collins, WWF's Regional Managing Director and Creaxion's President and CEO, Mark Pettit, have been named as co-chairs of Earth Hour Atlanta 2009.

While there are no specific energy reduction targets for this year's initiative in participating U.S. cities, Georgia Power will measure the drop in electricity use during the event, and will provide additional logistical support and assistance. Following last year's event, Georgia Power reported that its customers in Atlanta decreased their electricity usage by nearly 4 percent during Earth Hour, despite an evening rainstorm. The average reduction during the hour was 7.05 megawatt-hours, or enough electricity to serve 1,750 homes.

WWF stresses the importance of celebrating Earth Hour in a safe and secure environment and is asking people to turn off only non-essential lights for one hour. All lights impacting public safety will remain on, including street lights, and lights in public spaces, hospitals or emergency services remaining on for the duration of the event.

Areas throughout Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Perimeter will offer stunning views of Atlanta's picturesque skyline as lights go out. For more information about Earth Hour and ways to get involved can be found at www.EarthHourUS.org