Energy Efficiency/ Renewable Energy
Cobb EMC customers chose solar power after problems at co-op
June 6, 2012
The Marietta Daily Journal reports that Cobb EMC co-op owner/member Michael Jones is reaping the benefits of solar power with bills as low as $9.00 per month for his 3,000 square foot home.
Jones reduced the installtion costs by using financing from his co-op and selling excess power back to it.
The MDJ reports that eight Cobb EMC customers installed solar panels for their homes last year and that number should double in 2012.
Largest solar farm in Georgia coming to Davisboro, and it will supply power to Cobb EMC
April 13, 2012
On the heels of the Green House Gas rule announcement today (see below), developers have announced plans to build Georgia's largest solar farm just miles from the proposed coal fired power plant.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Cobb EMC will purchase clean, renewable, solar power from the facility generated right here in Washington County. Cobb had been the lead partner in Power4Georgians until it withdrew from the co-op collaborative in January.
Jobs and Clean Energy
Another renewable energy business coming to Washington County
September 18, 2012
Governor Deal's office announced General Biofuels, a company producing wood pellets for use in Europe, will invest $60M in a facility to be located on Waco Drive near Wal-Mart. The plant will create 35 jobs at the facility in addition to increasing demand for other goods and services in the area.Production is scheduled to begin in early 2014.
Charles Lee told FACE's Executive Director Katherine Helms Cummings that the plant will not require wells or additional infrastructure from the city to supply water, and that while he didn't have a specific gallon per day figure, it would be significantly less than the 16M gallons Plant Washington would require.
Lee said that with the significant shift away from coal in Europe, wood pellet energy fuel will be in greater demand in the future, and General Biofuels will be well positioned to help meet those market demands from Washington County.
General Biofuels is the second renewable energy business that has chosen Washington County this year. A 10 MW solar farm was announced for Davisboro in the spring. That facility will supply power to Cobb EMC, a former leader in Plant Washington before dropping the coal plant project in January.
Wind power blows jobs into Georgia
June 2, 2012
Wind energy created 600 hundreds in Georgia but the state faces significant challenges in using wind power due to current regulations.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Georgia will host an international wind energy convention here with delegates attending from Europe and China.