GEORGIA POWER LOOKING FOR SUN

Support sought to boost solar energy
Walter C. Jones, May 2, 2009 (Morris News Service via Augusta Chronicle)

"Georgia Power Co. is among the country's largest producers of coal-fired electricity, but it's also looking for some partners to supply a little solar energy…because regulators require it for the company's [voluntary] "green power" program…

"The 5-year-old program has about 4,400 of the company's 2.3 million customers…and Georgia Power needs 80 megawatt hours…for them…[M]ost of the green power has come from methane gas that a DeKalb County landfill would have to burn off otherwise…"

Logo of the Georgia Solar Energy Association, GSEA. (click to enlarge)

"The company will soon be producing much more of its own renewable energy from biomass…It is converting one of its oldest coal-fired generators, Plant Mitchell, to burn wood byproducts, which will result in 96 megawatts of green power."

GSEA and Solar Road Map are working together to boost the Georgia sun, (click to enlarge)

"Even customers who don't want to pay extra -- about $3.50 per month -- will get some of the green power…Much of it will be assigned to commercial accounts and one-time events…

"Georgia Power still needs solar to comply with the Georgia Public Service Commission…Some environmentalists who pushed for the voluntary green-power program as a first step say they now want a federal requirement that up to a quarter of all electricity generated come from renewable sources…Georgia Power's parent, Southern Company, is fighting in Congress against the standard…"