(June 9, 2010) - Memphis Light, Gas and Water is issuing a challenge to its customers in an effort to improve nighttime safety. MLGW's Streetlight Challenge gives the utility one week to fix common streetlight outages or the utility will name the streetlight after the first person who reported the outage.

"Most of the time we do not know that a streetlight is out unless our customers let us know," said MLGW President and CEO Jerry Collins Jr. "We need our customers’ help to keep their neighborhoods safe by ensuring street lights and leased outdoor lights are in proper working order."

Customers can report a streetlight outage via www.mlgw.com or by calling MLGW's Customer Care Center at 820-7878 and using the quick code 1-2-1-4 for English speaking or 3-2-1-4 for Spanish speaking customers. Please fill in all information asked for, including a call back number in case the utility has questions. An accurate address and the pole number, the number found on a metal plate about eye level on the pole, are vital to ensuring repairs are made.

Outages such as a burned out bulb, replacing a photo cell and day burners will be repaired within seven days or the first customer to report the outage will receive a certificate from Collins declaring that streetlight to be named after that person. Some outages, such as those involving underground wiring or replacing a knocked over pole may take longer than seven days to repair. If repairs will take longer than seven days, MLGW will contact the customer.

"We want our customers to know just how hard MLGW employees work for our community. Safety is a top priority for us and this is a way that we can guarantee that street light repairs are made quickly,” Collins said. “It is our guarantee to customers."

MLGW wants to remind customers that not all streetlights come on at the same time. Please wait for complete nightfall to occur before determining if a street light is not working.

Streetlight outages should be reported during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if you are reporting by phone (820-7878). Please do not use the emergency line to report the outages, as this could prevent someone from reaching MLGW during a life-threatening situation. Streetlight outages can be reported 24 hours a day at www.mlgw.com.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 429,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County. An April 2010 survey showed that MLGW has the second lowest combined (electric, natural gas, water and wastewater) residential rates out of 50 major U.S. cities.