Georgia Energy and Gas

Atlanta Gas Light Files Plan to Construct CNG Vehicle Fueling Stations

2011-05-16T13:54:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- With gasoline and diesel pump prices in Georgia hovering in the $4.00 range, Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) today (May 12) filed a plan with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to build a network of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling stations over the next five years in the metropolitan Atlanta region and along major transportation corridors in the state. The plan also includes low-cost equipment leasing options for home fueling stations. CNG retail prices are over a third less than that of petroleum - $2.19 per gallon of gas equivalent – as currently posted at Georgia retailers.

"Demand for CNG is growing in the United States, and Atlanta Gas Light is committed to attracting interest in this important new investment opportunity to Georgia," said Ian Skelton, director of Atlanta Gas Light's natural gas vehicle program. "Natural gas is abundant and clean, and the U.S. is estimated to have a one hundred year supply that is readily deliverable to Georgia. Fleet owners and vehicle manufacturers are beginning to recognize the significant price advantage CNG holds over petroleum at the pump and, as a result, demand for CNG should increase. Making CNG stations more prevalent and accessible makes sense for Georgia, for businesses and for consumers."

Under the plan to be considered by the PSC later this summer, AGL proposes to invest nearly $12 million dollars to stimulate private investment in the construction of approximately 10 to 15 fueling stations, depending on the size of the station and the level of private investment. The stations would be owned and operated by private retailers who must invest approximately 50 percent of the cost of the CNG station. Retailers would purchase natural gas from certificated marketers and resell it as CNG to the public. The initial station locations will be largely determined based on proximity to commercial fleet customers who contract for service.

The capital used to seed the market would be expended from the Universal Service Fund, which is funded from rates paid by industrial customers and proceeds shared by energy asset management firms. AGL annually requests funds from the USF for line extensions to serve new customers and new regions of the state. The recessed economy has stalled line extensions that normally would come with growth, leaving a temporary surplus in the fund that can be used to foster CNG growth.

Atlanta Gas Light will not sell CNG to the public nor participate in the commercial operation of the stations as part of this program. AGL will own and maintain the CNG equipment connected to its traditional natural gas distribution system, enabling USF dollars to be used to construct the CNG facilities. Atlanta Gas Light will collect transportation delivery charges and actual costs associated with operations and maintenance from retailers. Revenue collected from a separate equipment utilization fee will be placed in a reserve account to fund a portion of the cost of leasing home refueling stations, erecting additional CNG facilities, and making repairs and replacing the CNG equipment.

In order to qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate financial resources sufficient to secure the real estate for the station, develop the site consistent with local zoning, fund at least 50 percent of the total CNG station costs, and produce contracts with fleet or end use customers that utilize no less than 15,000 gas equivalent gallons per year for five years. The 50 percent match requirement is reduced to 20 percent after the first year if there are sufficient funds remaining.

The plan is the product of months of market studies and public hearings followed by legislative action. After filing a conceptual plan last September at the urging of PSC Commissioner Doug Everett, two public hearings were held in November 2010 and January 2011 to refine the plan. In March, the Georgia General Assembly gave express authorization for USF funds to be utilized for natural gas fueling infrastructure for motor vehicles.

Construction and maintenance of CNG facilities is not new to Atlanta Gas Light. The company installed its first CNG pumps at a public station in downtown Atlanta in the early 1990's. In 1996, AGL began its service to MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) when the transportation agency converted its bus fleet to CNG in advance of Atlanta hosting the Summer Olympics. Currently, the company owns equipment located at 10 CNG stations operated by private fleets and located on customer-owned premises, including municipal transit agencies, and has installed numerous others. The company also provides maintenance services to about 40 additional fleet customers who own their own CNG stations.

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Georgia Solar Tax Credits Spur Economic Growth

2011-05-12T11:39:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- With the signature of Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia's solar energy tax credit is increasing to $5 million annually in 2012, 2013 and 2014 from the current $2.5 million yearly limit. The new law, which the General Assembly approved last month, helps ensure that the vibrant solar energy industry in Georgia continues to thrive, creating jobs and new investment opportunities statewide.

Businesses are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in tax credits to offset the cost of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating systems, and homeowners are eligible to receive up to $10,500 in tax credits for residential solar energy systems. The tax credits must be taken over four years. If the $5 million ceiling is reached in any year, eligible taxpayers on a waiting list will have priority over taxpayers that apply for the credits in subsequent years. The Georgia Department of Revenue will determine other administrative details about the tax credits.

Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) Board Member and Advocacy & Education Committee Chairman Greg Chafee, head of the Energy Practice at Morris Manning & Martin, said Governor Deal's leadership made a crucial difference in creating the new solar investment opportunity.

"Thanks to support from Governor Deal, Senate Floor Leader Ronnie Chance (R-Peachtree City), and Representative David Knight, (R-Griffin) Chairman of the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation, a robust solar energy industry in Georgia will generate employment, improve and diversify our energy infrastructure, and bring the latest in technological innovation to the state," Chafee said.

Anthony Coker, Senior Director for Suniva, Inc., and Vice-Chairman of GSEA, said the increased solar tax credits will help Georgia compete in the economic development market with a meaningful ripple effect on the state's economy.

GSEA board member Sylvia Minton, senior vice president for Mage Solar, a German solar manufacturer with a production facility in Dublin, Ga., Board Member James Marlow, CEO of Radiance Solar, and GSEA State Program Director Joy Kramer attended the signing ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol.

In 2010, clean energy tax credits totaling almost $2 million were awarded to 47 solar PV projects and 90 solar water heating installations in Georgia. The tax credits helped to develop major new solar energy projects including:

* Choate Construction Company Headquarters Building, Atlanta, 74 KW capacity, designed and built by Empower Energy Technology, Atlanta, $575,000 pre-incentive value.
* White Oak Pastures, Bluffton, Ga., beef processing facility, 50,000-watt capacity, $326,000 pre-incentive value, designed and built by Hannah Solar, Atlanta.
* Persimmon Creek Vineyards, sustainable winery in Clayton, GA, solar array designed and built by Radiance Solar, Atlanta.

GSEA Chairman Doug Beebe said he is grateful that Governor Deal and legislative leaders recognize the growing contribution the solar industry is making to Georgia's economy.

"The increased availability of tax credits provides encouragement and support for our hard-working, solar manufacturers, installers, suppliers and consultants to help ensure that they continue to grow and flourish," Beebe said while also noting the upcoming June 24th Solar Summit at Georgia Tech Research Institute Conference Center.

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As Gas Prices Rise, Traffic Accidents Decrease

2011-04-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

Editor Note: What an interesting consequence.......

Newswise — As gasoline prices reach $4 a gallon throughout the nation, pain at the pump seems to have at least one silver lining for drivers.

A study by Mississippi State's Social Science Research Center indicates that rising gas prices create an accompanying decline in all traffic accidents, including drunk-driving crashes.

Researcher Guangqing Chi, an assistant professor of sociology at the university, recently published his findings in the Journal of Safety Research and Accident Analysis and Prevention.

An SSRC demographer, Chi examined a range of factors related to driving-related accidents in the state, including age, gender and race. The study analyzed total traffic crashes between April 2004 and December 2008, comparing gas prices to traffic safety statistics.

"The results suggest that prices have both short-term and intermediate-term effects on reducing traffic crashes," he reports in the journal article.

Among other points, the research also shows gas prices having a short-term impact on crashes involving younger drivers and intermediate-term impact related to older drivers and men.

Chi said short-term impact refers to immediate effects, for example how a current month's average gasoline prices affect the same month's traffic crashes. Intermediate-term impact refers to effects over a one-year subsequent time period.

While previous research linked traffic-related fatalities to gas price fluctuations, limited research has shown the effects of prices on all traffic accidents. No research previously examined the link between drunk-driving crashes and gas prices, Chi observed.

His research also found significant connections between gas prices and a reduced frequency of alcohol-related crashes.

Other researchers contributing to the study include SSRC director Arthur Cosby; David Levinson, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota; and Mohammed Quddus, a senior lecturer in transportation studies at the University of Loughborough, United Kingdom.

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Georgia Power to Develop Water Research Center

2011-04-20T11:38:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers today announced the company will host an innovative research facility to develop and test water conservation technologies at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen, near Cartersville, Ga.

The Water Research Center (WRC) will provide a venue for developing and testing technologies to improve water efficiency by addressing withdrawal, consumption and recycling throughout the power generation process.

Georgia Power is collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to add broader industry perspective and guidance to the project. Expected to be fully operational by August 2012, the WRC will include seven separate research focus areas: moisture recovery, cooling tower and advanced cooling systems, zero liquid discharge options, low volume wastewater treatment, solid waste landfill water management, carbon technology water issues, and water modeling, monitoring and best management practices.

"We are pleased to work with EPRI and technology suppliers in this first-of-a-kind project," said Bowers. "Water research and conservation is vital for the continued prosperity of our state, and we will contribute to that effort."

Dr. Michael Howard, president and CEO of EPRI, said: "We are excited about the water treatment and conservation research projects envisioned for the WRC. The center can be the catalyst to advance new technology options that address the industry's current and future water challenges."

The center is an extension of a pilot project that began in May 2010 at Plant Bowen to identify opportunities to address water withdrawal, consumption and recycling. As a result of the pilot project, technology has been implemented to reduce water withdrawals for the plant's scrubber process, an environmental control that reduces sulfur dioxide emissions.

Results from research conducted at the WRC will be shared with Georgia Power and other EPRI members. Appropriate technologies can be implemented by utilities worldwide to address water issues.

The center, which will be operated by the Southern Research Institute, may also serve to educate students and community leaders about the importance of water conservation.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

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Southern Company CEO Tells Congress That Proposed Standard Will Impact Economy and Electric Reliability and Affordability

2011-04-15T10:39:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Thomas A Fanning, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company, today told members of Congress that proposed regulations aimed at emissions from power plants could reduce reliability, raise electricity prices, slow economic development and eliminate American jobs.

"My message today is that the reliability and affordability that Americans deserve could be at risk," Fanning said in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power in Washington.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed regulation on further reducing air emissions from coal-fired power plants. The new regulation, known as Utility MACT (maximum achievable control technology), covers 125 different types of emissions. The EPA has allowed 60 days for comment.

"This is nearly a thousand-page rule with nearly a thousand more pages of technical supporting documents," Fanning said. "Sixty days is plainly inadequate for the industry to analyze this rule and its effects and offer meaningful comments."

Of greater concern, said Fanning, is the three years mandated for compliance.

"In just three years, utilities would have to develop compliance strategies for each plant, engineer solutions on a unit-by-unit basis, obtain required environmental permits, gain state public utility commission regulatory approval, actually procure and install the required technology, test the technology and implement any operational changes, and then demonstrate full compliance," Fanning said.

A study conducted for the Edison Electric Institute by ICF, Fanning testified, concluded that for the U.S. by 2015 over 80,000 megawatts of scrubbers and over 160,000 megawatts of fabric filter baghouses would have to be constructed and almost 80,000 megawatts of current coal capacity would have to be replaced.

"As the CEO of a company that has installed more pollution controls than any other utility," Fanning said, "I tell you that this cannot be done in three years."

Fanning also stressed that the Utility MACT proposal could cost the industry as much as $300 billion over the next five years.

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Oglethorpe Power Completes Purchase of Combined Cycle Units

2011-04-08T17:28:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Oglethorpe Power Corporation today completed the purchase of two natural gas-fired, combined cycle generating units in Murray County, Ga. with the acquisition of KGen Murray I and II, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of KGen Power Corporation. The purchase price was approximately $529 million, including working capital and other closing adjustments.

The two Murray units represent an aggregate summer planning reserve generating capacity of about 1,220 megawatts (MW). This brings Oglethorpe Power's total owned generating capacity to approximately 7,048 MW.

The Murray acquisition also includes an existing power purchase and sale agreement with Georgia Power Company for the entire output of Murray I through May 31, 2012. Initially, both units are planned to be operated independently of the other generating facilities owned and operated by Oglethorpe Power but will be integrated into the system as needed.

Oglethorpe Power first disclosed that it was negotiating to purchase some then-unnamed natural gas facilities in October 2010 and followed in January 2011 with an announcement that it had signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Murray units, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and approval by KGen stockholders.

"We couldn't be more pleased with today's acquisition," said Elizabeth B. Higgins, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "This purchase gives Oglethorpe Power and our Member Systems a significant block of generating capacity at a very reasonable cost without the added time and additional expense of constructing a new facility."

In purchasing the Murray units, Oglethorpe Power has now officially canceled construction of a planned 605-megawatt, combined cycle generating plant that was in the siting stage.

Ms. Higgins said Oglethorpe Power expects long-term financing for the Murray units to come primarily from loans guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Taxable bonds would make up the difference for any amount not funded through the RUS loan program.

Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC) is the nation's largest power supply cooperative with more than $7 billion in assets serving 39 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to 4.1 million Georgians.

A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, OPC balances reliable and affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance. Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, hydroelectric, coal and nuclear generating plants with a combined capacity of approximately 7,048 MW, as well as purchased power.

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Georgia Power Announces Plans to Decertify Two Coal Generating Units

2011-03-16T12:02:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power expects to request approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission to decertify two coal-generating units totaling 569 megawatts, the company announced Wednesday.

The request to decertify units 1 and 2 at Plant Branch in Putnam Co. will be included in Georgia Power's updated Integrated Resource Plan filing with the commission in late summer. The company expects to ask for decertification of the units as of the effective dates of the Georgia Multipollutant Rule, which are currently anticipated to be Dec. 31, 2013 for unit 1 and Oct. 1, 2013 for unit 2.

The decision to decertify the units is based on a need to install environmental controls to meet a variety of existing and expected environmental regulations.

"After an extensive analysis of the cost to comply with environmental regulations, we have determined the continued operation of these units would be uneconomical for our customers," said Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers. "This decision is in keeping with our focus to provide affordable and reliable electricity for our customers."

Georgia Power will continue to evaluate existing and expected federal and state environmental rules involving air emissions, water treatment, and coal ash and gypsum to determine the economics of installing additional environmental controls on generating units at other Georgia Power plants, including Plant Branch units 3 and 4.

Georgia Power currently operates 9,686 megawatts of coal-fueled generation at 10 plants across the state.

The commission is expected to vote on the decertification request in spring 2012.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Launches “Em-Powered to Change” Energy Conservation Initiative

2011-02-09T12:17:00.000-05:00

Employees to “Cut Back, Give Back” During a Five-Year Conservation Project

Today, Mayor Kasim Reed kicked off “Em-Powered to Change,” a pilot sustainability program with the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) at the Atlanta Civic Center.

“Launching programs such as the ‘Em-Powered to Change’ initiative is a critical component of making Atlanta a more sustainable City,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The City of Atlanta will continue to do its part to be a national leader in the area of sustainability.”

Last October, Mayor Reed set an aggressive goal of making Atlanta a top 10 city for sustainability. The “Em-Powered to Change” campaign will guide city employees by converting existing facility procedures into energy and money saving policies. The Mayor’s goal is to reduce energy use in City facilities by 20 percent over the next five years. Mayor Reed was on-site to kick-off the “Em-Powered to Change Energy Expo” and introduced the new conservation policies to hundreds of employees and the 38 buildings that make up the DPRCA.

During the Energy Expo, facility managers and operators from the DPRCA came together to learn steps and policies that can be implemented to reduce energy, material use and waste. These tools will not only be useful in the workplace but can also be replicated in employees’ personal lives. Additionally, the Energy Expo included educational stations that will demonstrate sustainable practices that can be executed in public and private facilities.

For more information about Atlanta’s efforts to create a more sustainable city, visit http://www.atlantaga.gov/mayor/sustainability.aspx

About City of Atlanta, Division of Sustainability

Launched in 2008, the City of Atlanta’s Division of Sustainability has been focused on instituting sustainability practices into Atlanta city government. The Division of Sustainability is working with departments across city government to improve current programs and policies and implement new ones in addition to becoming early adopters of national accountability initiatives designed to promote more sustainable municipal practices. In the past year, the city has expanded its scope to include community-wide initiatives.

About the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA)

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) enhances the lives of City of Atlanta residents and visitors by offering programs, services and activities that encourage participation in recreational activities, leisure services and cultural experiences. The department strives to deliver quality customer service through the development, operation and maintenance of the city's public parks, recreation and cultural affairs facilities to create an environment that is deemed safe, affordable and enriching for all.

Suniva ARTisun™ Select Solar Cells Surpass 19 Percent Efficiency in Production

2011-02-09T11:08:00.000-05:00

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Suniva, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced its next generation ARTisun™ Select series solar cells are in production. These next generation cells are achieving conversion efficiencies of more than 19 percent, a record for screen-printed cells in full-scale production. Suniva attains these efficiencies using a uniform single-sided emitter along with other proprietary innovations on the front side of the cell. Suniva is the first company to successfully leverage ion implantation as an enabling technology in the mass production of solar cells.

Suniva’s unique intellectual property and proprietary processing capabilities, combined with several years of collaborative research and development on ion implantation technology, enables the company to bring ARTisun Select to the market and into full production as the first of its kind using this unique manufacturing technology. Additionally, Suniva simplified its solar cell manufacturing process by eliminating two entire steps, which allows the company to more cost-effectively produce its record-setting cells. The use of ion implantation in Suniva’s manufacturing process is based on years of development collaboration with Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates (NASDAQ: VSEA).

“Combined with Suniva’s innovative R&D and proprietary processes, ion implantation provides us with a very cost-effective way to manufacture solar cells of 19 percent efficiency without adding complex processes for a selective emitter. We do have the capability to use a selective emitter, but we have not yet chosen to do so,” said Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, Suniva founder and CTO. “Our unique development process is what will ultimately enable Suniva to achieve efficiencies in the 20 percent range in our third generation cells on n-type wafer and maintain an equally attractive manufacturing cost.”

Suniva’s record-setting efficiencies for low cost cells are being integrated across its module line with module level efficiencies of 16+%. The ARTisun Select product line is a logical progression on Suniva’s technology roadmap towards its next generation products that are in its labs. This technology roadmap is built around multiple proprietary cell structures certified by NREL as achieving 20% efficiency. Suniva previously achieved industry-leading, certified efficiencies of more than 20 percent on screen-printed cells in the lab.

“Leveraging ion implantation in solar cell processing has traditionally proven too costly and slow. Combined with Suniva’s deep research and our own proprietary design, recipes and processes, we have unlocked the value of the ion implanter as an enabling technology for solar cell processing. The result is an immediate, one percent efficiency gain in ARTisun Select, and an ongoing reduction in our cell conversion costs,” said Bruce McPherson, vice president of research and development for Suniva. “We are quite confident that this is just the first step in a multistep process which will take Suniva well into the 20% category of efficiencies while still maintaining low cost screen printed manufacturing processes. Through continued innovation, optimization and modification of cell design and manufacturing processes, and by leveraging both our unique R&D relationship with the University Center of Excellence in Photovoltaics (UCEP) and strategic 3rd party technology collaborations , such as Varian, Suniva will continue to lead the market in efficiencies so far unattained in low-cost solar cell manufacturing.”

With its expanding, diverse and skilled workforce, Suniva is producing world-class technology and generating record-setting screen printed solar cell efficiencies both in the lab and in manufacturing. For more information about Suniva and its products, please visit www.suniva.com.

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Georgia Power and EPRI to Study Solar PV Installation on Power Lines

2011-02-02T16:32:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) are conducting an 18-month study to evaluate how solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems may affect the utility's distribution system.

Fifty PV systems are being installed in seven cities around the state. Seven-to-eight small systems will be installed on one distribution line in each city. Sites were identified based on a number of environmental parameters. Selecting cities around the state will allow evaluation of a variety of conditions such as temperature, cloud cover and solar intensity.

EPRI will monitor each module's power output and sunlight input at one- second intervals for the entire 18 months to determine how much electricity they generate and how well they perform under diverse weather conditions. The panels will remain in place at the end of the project and Georgia Power will continue to monitor long-term results. This research will help to:

* Identify the effects, if any, on operation of Georgia Power's distribution system
* Understand the feasibility of widespread solar PV installations on distribution lines
* Determine ranges for overall PV performance in Georgia
* Characterize and compare variable issues such as passing clouds

Each panel is about 3-by-5 feet in size, and able to generate about 200 watts of electricity.

"An installation of this size will not create a noticeable increase in the amount of energy on our distribution system," says Scott Gentry, Georgia Power's distributed generation services project manager and coordinator for this project. "However, the data we collect from each module will provide useful information on PV generation as it relates to the utilities grid."

PV panels have been installed in Rome, Valdosta, Macon, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah and Conley. EPRI will own the panels while Georgia Power does the installation.

Solar power uses PV cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight strikes a PV cell, electrons are dislodged, creating an electrical current.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. EPRI's members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.

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Georgia Power Strikes Solar Power Deal With Dalton Utilities

2011-02-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power recently acquired a series of solar projects of up to 1 megawatt (MW) in Murray County, Ga., co-developed by United Renewable Energy LLC and Mack Creek Energy LLC.

Georgia Power will sell the output from the facility to Dalton Utilities.

The plant will be constructed on Looper Bridge Road in Dalton by United Renewable Energy and will be owned and operated by Georgia Power.

Under the terms of the deal, Georgia Power will lease property for the solar facility from Dalton Utilities, which will purchase 100 percent of the plant's capacity and energy through a 25-year power purchase agreement.

"Dalton Utilities is excited to be part of this project," said Don Cope, Dalton Utilities President and CEO. "This is a major initiative in expanding green energy in the State of Georgia. Upon the completion of this project, Dalton Utilities and its corporate customers will be able to advertise the fact that we are utilizing 'green' energy which has become increasingly important in today's market. This is one of several sustainable/renewable/green initiatives Dalton Utilities is in the process of developing."

Energy produced from the solar facility will be sold on the wholesale market therefore the cost of the facility will not become part of Georgia Power's retail rate base. All of the renewable energy credits from the facility will be conveyed to Dalton Utilities. The first phase of the facility is expected to begin commercial operations in spring 2011.

"This contract marks the first time Georgia Power has acquired a solar energy production facility to serve the wholesale market," said Jeff Burleson, Georgia Power's director of Resource Policy and Planning. "Not only will it increase the amount of solar resources in the state, but it also strengthens our partnership with Dalton Utilities, a fellow co-owner of the two new nuclear units under construction at Plant Vogtle."

The facility will be developed in phases with each phase comprising approximately 350 kW. Georgia Power has the option to construct two additional 350 kW phases for a total of 1 MW by January 2014. One megawatt is enough energy to supply a Super Target or approximately 400 Georgia residences.

"As a solar EPC company headquartered in Georgia," said William Silva, President of United Renewable Energy, "we applaud Dalton Utilities' vision, and Georgia Power's support of solar energy in the state. Over 100 solar jobs were created in the state of Georgia last year."

With the addition of this contract, Georgia Power's energy portfolio includes contracts with 14 qualified biomass and renewable facilities throughout the state that generate 28 MW of capacity, or enough renewable energy to power more than 11,200 homes. These contracts include electricity generated from wood waste, landfill methane gas, and hydro.

Dalton Utilities provides potable water, electric, natural gas, wastewater, stormwater and telecommunications services to approximately 77,000 customers in Dalton and five surrounding counties. Dalton Utilities is engaged in various sustainable/green energy projects including the use of treated wastewater to cool a merchant power plant, creating biodiesel from its wastewater stream, the composting of biosolids and the reuse of carpet waste to generate electricity.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. www.georgiapower.com

United Renewable Energy is a solar project developer and multistate electrical contractor specializing in solar photovoltaics. Operating throughout the east coast, United Renewable Energy designs, procures, finances and installs high quality turnkey utility and commercial solar projects. www.u-renew.com

Mack Creek Energy develops innovative, lowest-cost renewable power projects, with a focus on utility customers that have large fleets of baseload coal generation, such as Georgia Power Company.

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Oglethorpe Power to Purchase Combined Cycle Units

2011-02-01T10:31:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Oglethorpe Power Corporation announced today that it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement with an affiliate of KGen Power Corporation to acquire two combined cycle generating facilities in Murray County, Ga.

The Murray I and Murray II natural gas units, located just outside Dalton, Ga., have a combined summer planning reserve generating capacity of approximately 1,220 megawatts. The purchase price, exclusive of working capital and other closing adjustments, is approximately $531 million.

Oglethorpe Power announced in October 2010 that it had entered a non-binding agreement to purchase existing gas-fired facilities but did not identify the seller or location for reasons of confidentiality. Since that time, the corporation has completed its due diligence, and its Board and Member Systems have approved the transaction.

The acquisition is still subject to applicable regulatory approvals, the approval of KGen Power stockholders, and other customary closing conditions. If the transaction is completed, closing is expected in April 2011.

"This acquisition of an existing, low-cost and proven facility in Georgia to help meet our Members' future power supply needs is a good strategic fit for our power supply portfolio," said Elizabeth B. Higgins, executive vice president and chief financial officer. If successful, this will be Oglethorpe Power's third power generating facility acquisition over the last two years.

Oglethorpe Power will cancel a 605-megawatt combined cycle plant currently under development if the Murray purchase is completed. The corporation had not announced a final location for that facility but had been considering property it already owns in Monroe County, Ga., among other options.

Independently from the combined cycle facilities acquisition, Oglethorpe Power has deferred development of a previously announced 100-megawatt biomass plant in Warren County, Ga. as it continues to monitor regulatory and legislative developments related to biomass electricity generation.

Oglethorpe Power engaged Sutherland as legal counsel for the transaction and is not utilizing a financial adviser.

Oglethorpe Power is the nation's largest power supply cooperative with approximately $6.5 billion in assets, serving 39 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) providing power to more than 4.1 million Georgians.

A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, Oglethorpe Power balances reliable and affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance. Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, hydroelectric, coal and nuclear generating plants with a combined capacity of approximately 5,790 megawatts (summer planning reserve capacity), as well as purchased power.

Oglethorpe Power was established in 1974 and is owned by its 39 Member Systems. It is headquartered in Tucker, Ga.

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ArcLight Teams With GE and Singapore's GIC to Form Largest Fully Independent Power Producer in US Southeast

2011-01-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight"), GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd ("GIC") announced today they have agreed to become partners in five Georgia natural gas-fired power plants that together make up the largest fully independent power producer in the southeastern United States. The GE unit and GIC will each acquire 24.95 percent of the portfolio from an affiliate of ArcLight, now its sole owner. An affiliate of ArcLight will retain 50.10 percent.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The closing of the transaction remains subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and is expected to occur toward the end of the first quarter of 2011.

The plants, located throughout Georgia, comprise a combined cycle facility and four single-cycle peaking facilities, each of which is less than 10 years old. Together, they are capable of generating more than 2,500 megawatts of power, in several cases using GE gas-fired turbines. All five facilities, critical to the regional power supply and grid stability, are contracted under long-term agreements to investment-grade counterparties and are managed by Consolidated Asset Management Services, an ArcLight affiliate.

The portfolio comprises:

* Monroe – a 320-megawatt plant in Monroe, 50 miles east of Atlanta
* Walton – a 450-megawatt plant in Monroe, adjacent to the Monroe plant
* Washington – a 602-megawatt plant in Linton, 50 miles east of Macon
* Sandersville – a 640-megawatt plant in Sandersville, seven miles from the Washington plant
* Effingham – a 515-megawatt plant in Rincon, 20 miles north of Savannah

The portfolio is well positioned to benefit from the macroeconomic recovery and more stringent energy and carbon legislation as well as the boom in production of unconventional natural gas in the United States. In addition, the portfolio will support additional infrastructure investment in the region to meet the demand for power and accommodate the power supply reconfiguration expected to unfold over the next decade.

"Since the initial investment in this portfolio in 2007, ArcLight and CAMS have developed a strong track record of operational success and commercial reliability in a promising regional market," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner of ArcLight. "We are excited about the opportunity to partner with these two highly respected and valued-added investors, and we look forward to working closely with GE and GIC to maximize value across the portfolio and platform."

ArcLight has completed several transactions with GE Energy Financial Services, including the GE unit's lead lending of $98 million in senior secured credit facilities for the Sandersville power plant.

"This transaction enables us to deepen our relationship with ArcLight, establish ties with an important new partner, GIC, and work together on an attractive set of assets in a core focus area, thermal power generation," said Kevin Walsh, managing director and leader of Power and Renewables at GE Energy Financial Services.

"This is an attractive portfolio of contracted power generation facilities in a region experiencing an increasing demand for low carbon, efficient power. The completion of this transaction complements our growing portfolio of infrastructure investments in the US. We are delighted to have ArcLight and GE, who have extensive experience in owning and operating similar assets, as our partners in this deal," said Mr. Ang Eng Seng, Global Head of GIC's Infrastructure Group.

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Southern Company and Ted Turner Energize Cimarron Solar Facility

2011-01-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The clean and plentiful sunshine of New Mexico is now producing electricity for some 9,000 homes as the Cimarron Solar Facility has begun commercial operation. At 30 megawatts, Cimarron is among the nation's largest solar photovoltaic plants.

The facility is the first resulting from the partnership between Southern Company (NYSE: SO) and Ted Turner and will supply power to the member electric cooperatives of Denver-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Tempe, Ariz.-based First Solar, Inc., (Nasdaq: FSLR) developed and constructed the facility and will provide operation and maintenance services under a long-term contract.

"This is a key milestone for Southern Company as we steadily incorporate more renewables into our energy portfolio," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning. "Renewables, along with new nuclear, increased energy efficiency, 21st century coal technology and additional natural gas, all will be crucial to meeting this nation's growing energy demand."

Fanning also noted that New Mexico, with its abundant solar resources, was an ideal location to establish the company's first commercial-scale solar operation.

The 364-acre plant site is located within the service territory of Tri-State member system Springer Electric Cooperative in Colfax County, N.M., and is adjacent to Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch.

Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy acquired the project from First Solar in March 2010. Turner Renewable Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Turner Enterprises with a focus on development of commercial-scale solar projects.

"We are very excited to see this project completed and producing clean solar energy to power homes and businesses in New Mexico," said Turner. "Large-scale solar generation is among the fastest growing energy sources in the world, and we're pleased that we can be a part of that growth."

Initially expected to go on line by the end of 2010, the facility was completed in eight months and began commercial operation in early December, nearly a month ahead of schedule. More than 300 workers were employed to construct the plant, which uses approximately 500,000 2'x 4' advanced thin film photovoltaic modules manufactured by First Solar.

"The Cimarron Solar Facility demonstrates First Solar's capabilities in utility scale projects," said Frank De Rosa, First Solar Senior Vice President of Project Development, North America. "Integrating technology, manufacturing, project development and engineering, procurement and construction expertise enables First Solar to be a leader in sustainable energy development."

Electricity generated by the plant will serve a 25-year power purchase agreement with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, a not-for-profit wholesale power supplier to 44 electric cooperatives serving 1.5 million consumers across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. The project further expands Tri-State's focus on providing renewable generation for its members, as the association also announced late last year that its Kit Carson Windpower Project began commercial operation in eastern Colorado.

"The Cimarron Solar Facility is another example of our ability to harness and utilize the abundant natural resources that are available to us in the West," said Ken Anderson, Tri-State's executive vice president and general manager. "Working with our partners, we have made a significant technology investment in the rural communities we serve, while further diversifying Tri-State's renewable resource mix."

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In Landmark Move, EPA Approves Higher Ethanol Blend for Vehicles Built in Last Decade

2011-01-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Growth Energy announced today that U.S. jobs will be created, carbon removed from the air, and our national security made stronger with a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today to raise the amount of ethanol that can be blended into our fuel from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15) for all vehicles built in the last decade.

The decision today to permit E15 for 2001-to-2006 model year vehicles follows an October decision by EPA to permit blends up to E15 in vehicles 2007 model year and newer. The EPA was responding to a regulatory petition, the Green Jobs Waiver, filed in March 2009 by Growth Energy, America's leading voice for ethanol supporters and producers.

A full move to E15 creates a bigger market for American ethanol that could help create as many as 136,000 new jobs in the United States and eliminate as much as 8 million metric tons of GHG emissions from the air in a year — the equivalent of taking 1.35 million vehicles off the road. Increasing the domestic, renewable fuel supply would also displace some of the 7 billion gallons of oil that is imported every day into the United States from countries such as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, at a cost of more than $300 billion annually to our economy.

"This is a bold move forward, changing America's energy future for the better," said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. "Increased use of ethanol will strengthen our energy security, create U.S. jobs, and improve the environment by displacing conventional gasoline with a low-carbon fuel."

Buis added that with engine and emissions systems testing on cars 2001 through 2010 complete – and showing no issues with using E15 as a fuel – EPA's approval of E15 should be extended to older vehicles to make continued progress in reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.

"There are many more steps we can take toward achieving our energy security and environmental goals. We commend the EPA and we urge them to continue testing E15 for all vehicles, so that every American motorist has the opportunity to use a blend of fuel that is proven to be better for our economy, our security and our environment."

The previous E10 standard – which permits up to 10 percent ethanol blended into fuel – was set in the 1970s to help spur the growth of a domestic, renewable fuels industry in answer to America's first major oil crisis, engineered by OPEC. Since then, the United States has remained addicted to foreign oil; two-thirds of the oil used in this country comes from overseas.

In March 2009, Growth Energy filed a petition with EPA to permit the raising of that regulatory cap on the ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent to displace more foreign oil.

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Power4Georgians Statement on December 16, 2010 Administrative Law Judge’s Ruling

2010-12-17T08:37:00.000-05:00

(BUSINESS WIRE)--We are very disappointed by this decision. As the ALJ acknowledged throughout her decision, Plant Washington’s permit contains a collection of the lowest emission limits of any coal-fired power plant in the country. These limits were the product of rigorous analyses by EPD. In the end, the ALJ elected to elevate form over substance, in that she focused on the words that the EPD witnesses used to explain their analyses, rather than the low emission limits that their analyses produced.

We are surprised by her decision.

Power4Georgians believes that, in reaching her decision on two of the MACT claims, the ALJ ignored the fact that Plant Washington’s MACT surrogate emission limitations for PM-filterable and carbon monoxide (CO) was recently cited by another court in Texas, and even the Sierra Club, as the lowest emission limitations that have been permitted for new coal-fired power plants.

The ALJ ruled in P4G’s and EPD’s favor on the majority of Petitioners’ claims. Of the five (5) claims left in the case, the ALJ rejected three (3) of these claims. Specifically, the ALJ rejected Petitioners’ claims regarding (a) the BACT emission limitation for sulfuric acid mist; (b) the use of CO as a surrogate for the control of dioxins and furans; and (c) P4G’s air dispersion modeling of PM10. The ALJ concluded, however, that the MACT emission limitations for PM-filterable and carbon monoxide (CO) are “not reflective of MACT.” The ALJ did not agree that Petitioners’ proposed alternative PM-filterable and CO emission limitations were “reflective of MACT;” rather, she concluded that EPD and P4G failed to support the Permit’s PM-filterable and CO emission limitations with sufficient data and analysis.

It is important to note that P4G’s intention to move forward with plans to develop and construct Plant Washington is unchanged. The ruling is 69 pages long and it was received this afternoon. We view this as a temporary setback and we are reviewing the decision carefully to determine the best path forward for this project. Coal continues to be an important and essential part of a reliable, low-cost energy portfolio for the future as evidenced by progress made recently on other plants across the nation.

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Atlanta Gas Light's Residential Rates to Increase 90 Cents per Month

2010-10-28T07:48:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/-- Following a 4-1 vote October 27 by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), residential customers of Atlanta Gas Light will receive a 90-cent monthly net increase in service rates effective November 1. The adjustment, the first base rate increase for the company since 1993, equates to an overall increase of one percent for the typical residential customer's annual natural gas bill. The adjustment will be reflected in the monthly Atlanta Gas Light charges as billed by certificated gas marketers to customers.

After weighing evidence and hearing testimony during the last six months, the PSC concluded that a $26.7 million increase in the company's revenue requirement was warranted to provide the company with sufficient revenue to meet reasonable expenses, pay interest on debt, continue to attract capital at favorable rates and provide a reasonable return to shareholders in order to continue to attract investment. The company originally sought $54.2 million in additional revenues in its case filed May 3, 2010, before adjusting the amount in October to $48.2 million to reflect more current economic conditions.

The company expects a final written order to be issued within the next 30 days, at which time parties to the case have 10 days to file for reconsideration of the decision with the PSC.

"Although we made a strong case for a larger revenue requirement to fund our service obligations, we recognize the economic climate weighed heavily on the commission as it worked to find the right balance for the company, our customers and shareholders," said Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light.

"It is never an easy decision to increase rates, particularly in a difficult economy," Sitherwood said. "However, the action by the PSC provides necessary revenues to sustain our operations and meet the growing demands for compliance and safety work, while improving our customer service levels."

The PSC also approved a rate-design change that closes the cost-of-service gap between residential and commercial customers. Small commercial customers with a Designated Design Day Capacity (DDDC) factor of less than 7.0, which includes approximately 82% of all commercial customers, will see no rate increase or a small decrease. Large commercial customers will receive a monthly increase in their total bill similar in percentage to that of residential customers. In addition, monthly rates charged to agricultural customers will be reduced by $73 on average, particularly to bring poultry growers' rates more in line with general commercial accounts and help them better manage peak costs during winter.

The company also was ordered to investigate whether additional senior citizens might be eligible to participate in Atlanta Gas Light's senior discount program. Individuals age 65 or older with annual income of $14,355 or less are eligible to receive a monthly discount of up to $14.00.

Other details and provisions of the decision include:

* Acceptance of a revenue requirement of approximately $450 million, which equates to an unadjusted increase of approximately $1.46 per residential customer.

* Two changes in the company's surcharges totaling approximately $12.1 million annually, which will offset the impact of the rate increase by approximately 56 cents per month on the customer's monthly bill. This includes a temporary shift of $6.5 million from the Universal Service Fund to fund the Senior Citizen Discount Program, and acceptance of an October filing by Atlanta Gas Light to reduce the environmental cost recovery surcharge rate for an annual reduction of $5.6 million.

* Established an authorized return on equity of 10.75 percent, which is within the estimated range of 10.5 percent to 11.25 percent recommended by the company.

* Approval of a capital structure for the company of 51 percent common equity, 44.63 percent long-term debt and 4.37 percent short-term debt.

* A return to a traditional method of calculating depreciation expense using net value methodology with a salvage rate of negative 30 percent.

* Approval of an in-home appliance repair program that permits Atlanta Gas Light service technicians to perform minor repairs of low cost and short duration when responding to the home for other purposes, while providing referrals to Natural Gas Advantage Dealer companies for more substantial repairs or appliance replacements.

* Funding of the new Customer Care Center in Riverdale, Georgia, to better handle customer issues and support 74 new jobs in Georgia.

* Increase the number of service technicians on staff to make them available to reduce the average time to establish service and fulfill other customer orders from five business days to three.

* Adoption of a new acquisition synergy sharing policy that is expected to hold down future operating expenses by incentivizing the company to make prudent utility acquisitions that capture savings for customers while insulating them from risk of increased costs from such transactions. Customers will share equally in any savings from future transactions after the company demonstrates savings through a future proceeding.

* Allocation of $4.4 million in annual revenue to the company to recognize equitable treatment of current and ongoing savings produced from the acquisition by AGL Resources of NUI Corporation. Evidence in the case demonstrated that since 2005 approximately $150 million in savings were generated from previous acquisitions which were applied to reduce Atlanta Gas Light's operating expenses.

* Improvements to technology systems intended to provide quicker response times and greater capacity to perform additional marketer and customer services.

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J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Future Global Market Demand for Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles May Be Over-Hyped; Wild Card is China

2010-10-27T10:11:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Combined global sales of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are expected to total 5.2 million units in 2020, or just 7.3 percent of the 70.9 million passenger vehicles forecasted to be sold worldwide by that year, according to a report issued by J.D. Power and Associates. For comparison, global HEV and BEV sales in 2010 are forecasted to total 954,500 vehicles, or 2.2 percent of the 44.7 million vehicles projected to be sold through the end of 2010.

The report, titled "Drive Green 2020: More Hope than Reality" considers various factors affecting the future potential for "green" vehicles in the world's largest automotive markets. These factors include market trends, regulatory environment, consumer sentiment and technology development in these markets.

According to the report, it will be difficult to convince large numbers of consumers to switch from conventionally powered passenger vehicles to HEVs and BEVs. A consumer migration to alternative powertrain technologies will most likely require either one of the following scenarios, or some combination of these scenarios:

* A significant increase in the global price of petroleum-based fuels by 2020
* A substantial breakthrough in green technologies that would reduce costs and improve consumer confidence
* A coordinated government policy to encourage consumers to purchase these vehicles.

Based on currently available information, none of these scenarios are believed to be likely during the next 10 years.

"While considerable interest exists among governments, media and environmentalists in promoting HEVs and BEVs, consumers will ultimately decide whether these vehicles are commercially successful or not," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "Based on our research of consumer attitudes toward these technologies—and barring significant changes to public policy, including tax incentives and higher fuel economy standards—we don't anticipate a mass migration to green vehicles in the coming decade."

Consumer Sentiment about HEVs and BEVs

Consumers have a variety of concerns about HEVs and BEVs, including:

* Dislike of their look/design
* Worries about the reliability of new technologies
* Dissatisfaction with overall power and performance
* Anxiety about driving range
* Concern about the time needed to recharge battery packs

More importantly, however, are the personal financial implications of deciding to purchase an alternative-energy vehicle. While many consumers around the world say they are interested in HEVs and BEVs for the expected fuel savings and positive environmental impact they provide, their interest declines significantly when they learn of the price premium that comes with purchasing these vehicles.

"Many consumers say they are concerned about the environment, but when they find out how much a green vehicle is going to cost, their altruistic inclination declines considerably," said Humphrey. "For example, among consumers in the U.S. who initially say they are interested in buying a hybrid vehicle, the number declines by some 50 percent when they learn of the extra $5,000, on average, it would cost to acquire the vehicle."

The overall cost of ownership of HEVs and BEVs over the life of the vehicle is also not entirely clear to consumers, and there is still much confusion about how long one would have to own such a vehicle to realize cost savings on fuel, compared with a vehicle powered by a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). The resale value of HEVs and BEVs, as well as the cost of replacing depleted battery packs, are other financial considerations that weigh heavily on consumers' minds.

Finally, it is clear from research in the world's largest automotive markets that buyers of hybrid and electric vehicles occupy a unique demographic niche. Buyers of HEVs and BEVs are generally older, more highly educated (possessing a postgraduate degree), high-income individuals who have a deep interest in technology, or who like to be among the early adopters of any new technology product. As a result, it is not clear that HEVs and BEVs will appeal to the general population.

Government Regulations

While the governments of the world's largest automotive-producing nations have schedules in place for improving fuel economy and reducing exhaust emissions, there is little consensus about the timing or manner in which these objectives are to be achieved. Some governments are promoting HEVs, others are focusing on BEVs, and still others are considering additional options.

According to Humphrey, the lack of consistency in regulations across markets is causing global automakers to hedge their options by seeking alliances and technology-sharing agreements. The heavy fixed costs associated with developing multiple powertrain options simultaneously are prohibitively expensive. When combined with the projected lower sales volumes of these products, collaboration between auto companies is almost a necessity to control costs and remain competitive.

One unpredictable aspect of the 2020 outlook is how markets would be affected if more stringent and consistent legislation is adopted that supports specific technologies. In particular, China has the ability to move quickly, invest heavily in the development of one specific propulsion technology, and mandate fuel economy or emissions standards that could favor a particular technology or require a minimum sales penetration level for vehicles with a designated technology. Given the size and growth rate of the Chinese auto market, such a coordinated regulatory environment might allow Chinese companies to achieve economies of scale and drive down the cost of alternative-energy vehicles.

Technology

While HEVs and BEVs offer an interesting alternative for the future, it must be acknowledged that many of the shortcomings that defined battery-based vehicles 100 years ago are still prevalent today. These include limited driving range, extended recharging times, limited support infrastructure, and the high cost of battery packs.

Moreover, while reducing exhaust emissions was not an important factor in the development of battery-based vehicles 100 years ago, it has been a significant driver behind the development of BEVs today. For many governments, the primary goal of transitioning to alternative powertrains is to reduce exhaust emissions, and it is not clear how much of this can be achieved.

"We don't want to replace tailpipe emissions with the emissions of coal- and oil-fired power plants that produce the electricity used by BEVs," said Humphrey. "We have to look at the carbon footprint of the entire energy supply chain."

Breakdown of Global HEV and BEV Sales by 2020

Of the 5.2 million HEVs and BEVs forecasted to be sold worldwide in 2020, some 3.9 million units are expected to be HEVs, according to the J.D. Power and Associates global forecast numbers for the third-quarter of 2010. The leading markets for HEVs are the United States (1.7 million units), Europe (977,000 units), and Japan (875,000 units). China is expected to sell fewer than 100,000 HEVs in 2020.

Of the 1.3 million BEVs projected to be sold worldwide in 2020, sales in Europe will account for 742,000 units; sales in China will account for 332,000 units; and the United States and Japan should each account for sales of approximately 100,000 BEVs in 2020.

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Kroger and Shell Team Up in the Greater Metro Atlanta and Northern Georgia Area to Help Customers Save at the Pump

2010-10-21T13:47:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional supermarket retailer, is excited to team up with Shell, the number 1 selling gasoline brand in the U.S., to give metro Atlanta and Northern Georgia area customers the chance to earn fuel savings at the pump. The exclusive alliance provides Kroger shoppers the opportunity to save on fuels by using their Kroger Plus Card.

Beginning October 25, every time Kroger customers in the area make a purchase with their Kroger Plus Card, they not only save money on their grocery bill but also earn Fuel Points that can be used at the pump. Kroger customers have the opportunity to redeem 100 points per visit to save 10 cents per gallon instantly at Kroger Fuel Centers and now at participating Shell stations. This offer is valid up to 35 gallons of fuel per purchase.

"Adding value and savings is an important part of Kroger's commitment to providing our customers the best possible shopping experience," said Glynn Jenkins, director of communications and public relations for Kroger's Atlanta Division. "In today's economic times, it's more important than ever for companies like Kroger and Shell to join forces to offer our customers optimum savings and rewards."

"We are excited to be teaming up with Kroger to help fill customers' gas tanks for less," said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. "With Kroger stores throughout the metro Atlanta area and Northern Georgia, and conveniently located participating Shell stations nearby, it's never been easier for customers to save on high-quality Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines."

Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent on most items when they use their Kroger Plus Card during shopping trips at participating Kroger stores. To help shoppers build up their savings quickly, additional Fuel Points can be earned by purchasing prescriptions or gift cards at Kroger. Customers earn 50 Fuel Points for each filled eligible prescription and two Fuel Points for every dollar spent on third-party gift cards from Kroger's in-store Gift Card Malls. Shoppers can visit any Kroger store for more details. Fuel Points will be automatically added to Kroger Plus Card accounts and will be reflected on customers' grocery receipt after every purchase. Customers also have the option of looking online on their "My Kroger" page at www.kroger.com to check how many Fuel Points they have earned. Fuel Points must be used during the month they are earned or by the end of the following calendar month.

Customers may redeem their Fuel Points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations by using their Kroger Plus Card at the pump, manually entering their card number or entering their alternate ID, which will initiate the fuel savings. Customers with questions about the fuels rewards program can call Kroger Customer Service at 1-800-576-4377, or they can contact Shell Customer Service at 1-888-GO-SHELL for assistance identifying participating Shell locations.

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Prevent vampires from wasting energy in your home

2010-10-14T10:18:00.000-04:00

Just like a vampire can steal energy from an unsuspecting victim, an idle home appliance can bleed power from a home and unnecessarily add to its electric bill.

Did you unplug the coffeemaker before you left home this morning? If not, it is still pulling a small amount of electricity. This is called “phantom” or “vampire” energy. Most small appliances do not use a lot of electricity while still plugged in or in standby mode, but there use is being recorded. You will pay for those watts of electricity.

A phone charger, for example, plugged in with no cell phone attached uses phantom energy. Computers, printers, hard drives and monitors all still pull electricity while plugged in and not being used.

The best way to stop this phantom energy waste is to use a power strip or surge protector. By plugging electronics into these, you can turn off the power to the strip or protector and eliminate the flow of electricity.

To reduce the electricity used by a computer, turn it and its monitor off if you’re not going to use it for more than two hours. If you’re not going to use the monitor for more than 20 minutes, turn it off.

There is a surge of electricity when your computer is initially turned on, but overall it’s much less than the electricity used when the computer is in standby mode. Another misconception is that screen savers are energy savers. Many screen savers actually use more energy than if the computer was on without a screen saver in place.

To save energy, purchase Energy Star® computers and other appliances. These appliances and electronics carry the Energy Star logo.

As with all energy-saving tips, apply the ideas that make sense for your household. If you have to reprogram television or cable remotes every time you unplug the television, DVD player or cable box, this may result in too much time or too much of an inconvenience for you.

Working together, families can do simple things like turn off lights when they leave a room or unplug small appliances that are not being used. Replacing light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs can save energy, too. CFL bulbs cost a little more than traditional bulbs, but they last five to seven years.

For more energy-savings tips, contact your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1, or your local power provider.

By Jackie Dallas

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Save Money and Energy; Take the ENERGY STAR® Pledge

2010-10-07T10:19:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power is encouraging its customers to help the environment by supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" campaign. A key portion of the yearlong campaign focuses on lighting, which kicked off on "Change a Light" day, Oct. 6.

The campaign asks consumers to take the pledge to change at least one standard incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), switch to ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and products, use a programmable thermostat, ensure their home is well-insulated and make other energy-efficient lifestyle changes.

"We want our customers to understand that the smallest things can add up to a real difference. A small step like pledging to change at least one incandescent bulb in a home or business to a CFL can save money, energy and help the environment," said Angela Strickland, Georgia Power's director of Energy Efficiency. "Energy efficiency is a priority for Georgia Power and we see tremendous value in equipping our customers with information on ENERGY STAR programs and products that can benefit them."

Changing a standard light bulb to an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL can save more than $30 over the life of the bulb. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Choose ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and products for your home and save. ENERGY STAR appliances not only use 10 percent to 50 percent less energy, they also use less water.

Georgia Power will promote the campaign to its customers beginning Oct. 4, in conjunction with Customer Service Appreciation Week, a national event which recognizes the importance of customer service and honors the frontline workforce that serves customers.

Customers are invited to take the pledge online at www.georgiapower.com or look for the pledge card in their October bills.

"Georgia Power has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004. We are proud to have been recognized as EPA's national pledge leader for the past two years and ranked in the top-five national pledge leaders since 2006," Strickland said. "We hope to continue our forward momentum during this year's campaign, which concludes April 2011. We encourage all of our customers to take the pledge and change a light!"

In 2009, Georgia Power distributed more than 120,000 CFLs, and since 2006 more than 450,000 CFLs have been given in exchange for a pledge.

If household customers are looking for a place to recycle used CFLs, there's no need to worry. Georgia Power has partnered with The Home Depot to offer recycling for compact fluorescent light bulbs at the retailer's stores in Georgia.

Georgia Power sponsors in-store bins at all 88 The Home Depot locations in the state, which creates the state's most widespread recycling program for CFLs and brings relatively convenient recycling within reach of most households.

Over 23,000 pounds of CFLs have been recycled through Georgia Power's partnership with The Home Depot. For more information about the CFL recycling program, visit www.homedepot.com/ecooptions.

Georgia Power encourages its customers to practice energy efficiency year-round. For additional money-saving energy efficiency tips, visit www.georgiapower.com. For additional information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.

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Georgia Power to Expand Solar Energy Capacity

2010-10-06T10:30:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today (October 5) received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for a new tariff that will nearly double the amount of solar energy the company purchases to supply its Green Energy Program.

The Solar Purchase Tariff will allow Georgia Power to purchase an additional 1.5 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity from customers at 17 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for generating facilities designed to produce less than 100 kilowatts. Customers who sell solar under the new tariff must agree to share all cost and operational information with Georgia Power so that the company can gain experience in solar electricity generation.

The company will also issue a request for proposals (RFP) for an additional 1 MW of solar capacity with no project size restriction. Georgia Power will consider solar proposals in this RFP with a price of 15 cents per kWh or less.

Georgia Power will use this solar energy to supply the Premium Green Energy product. Customers can purchase 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of Premium Green Energy with a 50 percent solar component for $5 per block or Standard Green Energy, generated from biomass sources, for $3.50 per block.

Since Georgia Power began the Green Energy program in October 2006, nearly 4,200 customers have committed to purchase approximately 3.8 million kilowatt-hours of green energy, or enough electricity to power approximately 3,800 homes using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month.

"Since we began offering customers a 50 percent solar option, we've added almost 1,000 new blocks of the Premium Green Energy product to the program," said Angela Strickland, director of Energy Efficiency. "By increasing our solar capacity in the program to 5.4 MW, we hope to keep pace with the significant growth of solar purchases by our customers both now and in the future."

Georgia Power will continue to offer its Renewable-Non Renewable Resources (RNR) tariff to customers who use their solar facilities to either offset their electricity bill or who sell the power back to Georgia Power at the company's solar avoided cost.

Georgia Power's Solar Purchase Tariff and revised RNR tariff will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

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Southern Company Captures CO2 at Georgia Power Plant; Research Milestone is a First for Company

2010-09-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company has captured carbon dioxide from one of its power plants for the first time, a milestone that significantly advances the development of technology considered crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power generation.

The research accomplishment was achieved this month at subsidiary Georgia Power's Plant Yates near Newnan, Ga.

The pilot-scale project at Plant Yates, which uses a capture system developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), will provide additional process improvements before the technology is demonstrated next year at a much larger 25-megawatt scale at Plant Barry, which is owned and operated by Southern Company subsidiary Alabama Power near Mobile, Ala.

During the pilot at Plant Yates, a small amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) was captured, using a solvent that absorbs CO2, and then returned to the plant's flue gas. At Plant Barry, the carbon dioxide will be compressed and transported via pipeline to deep underground storage formations.

"Capturing CO2 from an operating power plant is an important step forward in our efforts to develop effective and cost-efficient technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while ensuring a continued reliable and affordable supply of electricity for our customers," said Chris Hobson, Southern Company chief environmental officer. "Along with our other carbon capture and storage research initiatives, our success here will help us move closer to the ultimate goal of commercial deployment."

Southern Company is a participant in several major research initiatives to advance the development of carbon capture and storage technology, a key component in the nation's effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the projects at Yates and Barry, Southern Company operates the National Carbon Capture Center for the U.S. Department of Energy near Birmingham, Ala., and its subsidiary Mississippi Power is building an advanced commercial-scale coal gasification power plant in Kemper County, Miss., that will include carbon capture and re-use for enhanced oil recovery. Other carbon capture and storage projects are under way or completed at other Southern Company facilities.

The test at Plant Yates will help confirm MHI's emission-control design and provide other findings important to the much larger-scale work next year at the Plant Barry test, which represents one of the industry's largest demonstrations of a start-to-finish power plant carbon capture and storage system.

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HHS releases $101 million in emergency funding to states for energy assistance

2010-09-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

Georgia to receive $1,081,787 for energy assistance

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today (September 20) announced the release of $101 million in emergency contingency funding to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home energy needs. These Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds will provide states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia with additional assistance to pay heating and cooling costs. Funds will be allocated to all states based on their regular (old) block grant allocations.

"During these times of economic uncertainty, far too many Americans face difficulties affording the basics, such as utilities" said HHS Secretary Sebelius. "The release of these funds will help ease those worries, and assure individuals, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, that they will not be left behind during the cold winter months ahead."

LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating and cooling costs, as well as helping weatherize eligible families' homes. In recent years, more than eight million low-income households across the country receive assistance under LIHEAP.

As part of this Administration's effort to maximize federal funds, the department has focused on strengthening the program's operations and ensuring integrity at every level. Earlier this year, HHS requested strategic plans from each state to outline their tactics for improving efficiency and integrity in LIHEAP programs. Those plans, having all now been received, are being reviewed to make sure states are using effective program management and improper-payment-prevention strategies to ensure these funds are reaching the families who need them most.

The contingency funds released today are in addition to the $4.5 billion in LIHEAP block grant funding and the $490 million in emergency contingency funds received by states earlier this year. Funds released today are the remaining from FY 2010 LIHEAP contingency fund available for this fiscal year.

In total, Congress appropriated $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2010. "We are releasing these funds at a time when many Americans are struggling to find jobs and make ends meet as our economy begins to recover. These funds will help many families and seniors heat their homes in the coming winter," said David A. Hansell, HHS acting assistant secretary for children and families.

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance should contact their local/state LIHEAP agency. For more information go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html.

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Georgia Power Now Offering Free Online Energy Audit

2010-09-14T18:57:00.000-04:00

PRNewswire/ -- In less than 10 minutes, Georgia Power customers can take the guesswork out of determining where their electricity dollars go each month.

An online energy-audit tool, or "Home Energy Calculator," was developed by Atlanta-based APOGEE Interactive to provide residential customers a way to determine where the most energy is consumed in their homes - from air conditioners to refrigerators - and what they can do to reduce their energy consumption.

The customized calculator was developed for Georgia, and reflects the state's most common home construction, weather patterns and typical home appliances used by most residents.

"Energy costs are rising for various reasons and our customers are looking to us for help on ways to save money and energy," said Efficiency and Conservation Director Angela Strickland. "Georgia Power's portfolio of programs and tools puts our customers in the driver's seat to transform the way they use electricity in their homes and businesses."

For more information about all of the company's energy-efficiency programs and to access the free online energy audit tool, visit www.georgiapower.com.

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UGA researchers win $1.34 million USDA-DOE biofuels grant

2010-09-14T14:55:00.000-04:00

Researchers at the University of Georgia have won a $1.34 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to attempt to increase the productivity of trees by genetically modifying certain proteins critical to wood formation. The study could have important implications in using trees as biofuel.

The research will be conducted by Scott Harding and Chung-Jui Tsai, who are both faculty members at UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

They became interested in the possibility that manipulating sucrose transporter proteins—which shuttle food from leaves throughout the rest of the tree—during a separate, unrelated project conducted by Raja Payyavula, a graduate student working for the pair. The student’s research led to the discovery of a connection between sucrose transporter genes and certain stimuli.

Sucrose transporter genes have been known about for a long time because they enable leaves to send the sugars they produce during photosynthesis to other parts of the growing plant that do not carry out photosynthesis. This would include grain or tubers in food crops. In a key, and somewhat surprising finding by Harding and Tsai, sucrose transporter genes were found to be very abundant in developing the wood of young trees. They now want to know how a tree will react—positively or negatively—to further modification of those proteins.

They hope that tweaking the proteins will modify the way trees divide their photosynthate (sucrose and other sugars) between wood-forming and other organs like roots and bark. Wood is the raw feedstock for biofuels, and the research is being funded to learn about the potential of this gene for affecting wood growth, and thus tree growth, under a variety of environmental conditions.

“We know there’s a connection,” said Harding. “We just don’t know much about that connection right now.”

The research team already has begun its experiments with the award from the joint Plant Feedstock Genomics 2010 program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and DOE. This program funds projects that accelerate plant breeding and improve biomass feedstocks to lay the groundwork for a new class of biofuels that are low-cost, high-quality and maximize the amount produced per acre.

More information about the Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy program can be found at http://genomicscience.energy.gov/.

In announcing the award—which is part of the Obama administration’s efforts to diversify the nation’s energy portfolio and accelerate the development of new energy technologies—leaders of the two funding federal agencies commented on their hopes that such research will help reduce the U.S.’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Cost-effective, sustainable biofuels are crucial to building a clean energy economy,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “By harnessing the power of science and technology, this joint effort between DOE and USDA will help accelerate research in the critical area of plant feedstocks, spurring the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

“Developing a domestic source of renewable energy will create jobs and wealth in rural America, combat global warming, replace our dependence on foreign oil and build a stronger foundation for the 21st century economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “This scientific investment will lay the foundation for a source of fuel made from renewable sources.”

The $1.34 million grant is part of a larger, $9 million grant package awarded to multiple agencies and universities across the U.S.

Harding, senior research scientist, and Tsai, a professor Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar who also has a joint appointment in the department of genetics, joined the Warnell School in 2008. Their work focuses on forest biotechnology with an emphasis on creating high-energy trees for use in biofuel.

Tsai’s interests also include determining how trees defend themselves by using chemical compounds to ward off bugs and grazing animals. Harding also has led a DOE-research project on carbon sequestration, where carbon dioxide emissions from facilities such as power plants are captured by trees rather than released into the atmosphere.

If they are successful in genetically modifying the sucrose transporter genes to create faster-growing trees, it could have tremendous implications for using trees as biofuels.

“We know the sucrose transporter genes are connected to tree growth, and we also know that there are three different such proteins present in the tree stems,” Harding explained. The team plans to manipulate those proteins to learn about their division of labor and to see how the manipulations affect tree growth, especially the competition between leaves, stems and roots for photosynthate. The project will involve an assistant research scientist, a postdoctoral scientist, two graduate students and several undergraduate students.

This investigation is just beginning, Tsai said, and findings during the course of this three-year project will add immensely to the understanding of how tree biomass is produced.

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Range Fuels Produces Cellulosic Methanol From First Commercial Cellulosic Biofuels Plant

2010-08-17T16:26:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Range Fuels, Inc., a company focused on commercially producing low-carbon biofuels and clean renewable power, today announced that it has produced cellulosic methanol from the initial phase of its first commercial cellulosic biofuels plant near Soperton, Georgia using non-food biomass.

The first phase of the Soperton Plant operations employs Range Fuels' innovative, two-step thermo-chemical process, which uses heat, pressure, and steam to convert non-food biomass, such as woody biomass and grasses into a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is then passed over a proprietary catalyst to produce mixed alcohols that are separated and processed to yield a variety of low-carbon biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and methanol.

The cellulosic methanol produced from Phase 1 will be used to produce biodiesel, ultimately displacing diesel oil in transportation fuel markets. It may also be used to displace diesel in heating applications, used as a fuel additive in gasoline-powered motor vehicles, or used to power fuel cells. Range Fuels plans to begin production of cellulosic ethanol from the plant in the third quarter this year. The cellulosic ethanol will meet ASTM standards for fuel-grade ethanol and will be used to displace gasoline in local and regional transportation fuel markets.

"We are ecstatic to be producing cellulosic methanol from our Soperton Plant, and are on track to begin production of cellulosic ethanol in the third quarter of this year," said David Aldous, Range Fuels' President and CEO. "This milestone is a giant step in overcoming the technological and financing challenges facing the commercialization of cellulosic biofuels and positions us extremely well to expand production of cellulosic biofuels. Additionally, with the first U.S. commercial production of cellulosic biofuels from non-food biomass, Range Fuels has taken a giant step in delivering on its vision of offering solutions to the pressing global challenges of energy independence, the environment, and the economy."

The Soperton Plant will initially use woody biomass from nearby timber operations, but plans to experiment with other types of renewable biomass as feedstock for the conversion process, including herbaceous feedstocks like miscanthus and switchgrass. Range Fuels plans to expand the capacity of the plant to 60 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels annually with construction to begin next summer. The Soperton Plant is permitted to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol and methanol each year.

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Announced Wood Bioenergy Projects Overstate Wood Use for Energy in the US; New Products Track Emerging Bioenergy Markets

2010-08-11T21:19:00.002-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Analysis of public data by Forisk Consulting indicates a 67% success rate for announced wood-using bioenergy projects in the continental US. Projects with the highest probability of success share two requirements. One, they employ currently viable and scalable technology. Two, they demonstrate verifiable progress in planning and executing bioenergy project development. As of July 29, 2010, Forisk screened 363 announced and operating wood-consuming bioenergy projects. These projects represent potential, incremental wood use of 121 million green tons per year by 2020. Based on Forisk's screening methodology, projects representing only 68.4 million green tons per year pass basic viability screening.

"Why is this important? Because assessments of emerging wood bioenergy markets in the US that assume all projects succeed overstate likely wood use for energy by nearly 77%," says Brooks Mendell, President of Forisk. Clearly, tracking and screening bioenergy projects challenge those interested in renewable energy investments, economic development, and timberland markets. Wood Bioenergy US and Wood Bioenergy shapefiles for GIS mapping applications, two new subscription products from Forisk, solve this challenge.

"In Wood Bioenergy US, we continuously confirm, in a systematic way, that each project is moving forward and getting closer to being operational," says Amanda Lang, Managing Editor. The current issue indicates that bioenergy projects in the South comprise the largest volume of potential wood use of the three US regions, but the lowest pass rate through Forisk's screening. Southern projects representing 24 million tons - a 40% pass rate based on volume - appear viable based on current analysis. Alternately, the US North - which includes Appalachia, the Lake States and the Northeast - has the largest number, with 153 projects announced.

Wood Bioenergy US is published ten times per year. For more information, visit www.foriskstore.com and click on "Bioenergy." A monthly, complimentary Wood Bioenergy US summary is available by signing up for the Forisk News at www.forisk.com.

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Lawsuit: Department of Energy Hiding Risk of $8.33 Billion Taxpayer-Backed Loan Guarantee for Proposed Georgia Nuclear Reactors

2010-08-10T14:13:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire-/ -- U.S. taxpayers are being denied timely access to information that could be used to assess the risk to their pocketbooks posed by the controversial $8.33 billion federal loan guarantee for two proposed nuclear reactors at Southern Company's Plant Vogtle in Georgia, according to a lawsuit filed yesterday by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE). Despite the fact that the President announced the Vogtle taxpayer-financed loan guarantee on February 16, 2010 amid much fanfare, all meaningful details of the deal have remained shrouded in secrecy.

In announcing its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), SACE was joined today by Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS). Although not a party to the lawsuit, TCS shares similar concerns about the secrecy in the DOE loan guarantee program.

SACE filed the lawsuit because of DOE's failure to comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed on March 25, 2010. Under FOIA, DOE was obliged to respond to the SACE request by April 22 - well in advance of when DOE and Southern finalized the loan guarantee deal on June 11, 2010. However, DOE released no documents to SACE until July 6, 2010. When DOE finally released a handful of documents relating to the Vogtle loan guarantees, they were heavily redacted, with all important details blacked out, including one that was censored 244 times with half a dozen pages nearly or entirely obscured. (To see one of the DOE-censored documents, go to http://www.cleanenergy.org/index.php?/Reports-and-Publications.html on the Web.)

The clear foot dragging and improper handling by DOE of the SACE FOIA request provide the latest proof of the validity of the criticisms set out in the July 12, 2010 U.S. Government Accountability Office report, "Further Actions Are Needed to Improve DOE's Ability to Evaluate and Implement the Loan Guarantee Program." (See http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-627.) The GAO found that the program is inadequately planned and executed, lacks objective performance goals, and provides preferential treatment to nuclear loan guarantee applications over other types of applications.

Stephen Smith, executive director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said: "This is too large a sum of taxpayer's money, being spent on too risky a project for there to be this much cover-up and secrecy. This is the first award of what could be tens of billions of dollars more in new federal subsidies for the nuclear industry - setting the precedent of hiding the financial ball from the public in round one is a bad start. We need openness and transparency. Obama's Department of Energy, Southern Company and the public power companies which are part of this cover-up need to set the record straight and tell the truth about what is going on here; that they are socializing the risk and privatizing the profits for big power companies."

Ryan Alexander, president, Taxpayers for Common Sense, said: "DOE is hiding critical information behind their back with the one hand while they have their other hand out asking for billions more in loan guarantees. They already have the authority to give out more than $18 billion for nuclear reactors and still have yet to provide any assurances that these projects are smart investments. In fact, all the evidence points to taxpayers losing big on reactors like the Vogtle project. This is unacceptable and DOE must come clean and start fully answering these information requests or lawmakers should stop the program."

Larry Sanders, acting director of the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law, and an attorney for SACE, said: "In the Freedom of Information Act, Congress provided citizens a right to timely access to federal agency records. In this case, Southern Company and its partners have been awarded loan guarantees that could end up costing the federal treasury billions of dollars. Yet, in violation of the law, DOE refuses to allow public scrutiny of this subsidy to the nuclear energy industry. With billions of taxpayer dollars on the line, SACE had no choice but to file this lawsuit to force DOE to disgorge records related to the Plant Vogtle loan guarantees."

The March 25, 2010 SACE FOIA request covered such items as: the Southern Company loan guarantee; related correspondence between DOE and Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Authority of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia; environmental review records related to the loan guarantee request; any credit analysis conducted by DOE in relation to the loan guarantee; all records related to the general terms and conditions of the loan guarantee; and all records related to issuance of the loan guarantee.

Of the seven areas addressed in the SACE FOIA request, DOE has failed entirely to respond to five items. DOE's partial response to two items in the request yielded only five responsive documents, months after the FOIA deadline. Most documents responsive to SACE's request remain hidden from public view. Even where the tardy responses were provided, the documents were so highly redacted as to make them largely or entirely meaningless.

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Gulf Area Energy Workers to Policymakers: My Job Matters

2010-08-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswir/ -- Fifty independent energy industry representatives joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn (TX) and former Congressman John Peterson at a Capitol Hill press conference to urge the Obama Administration and Members of Congress to lift the moratorium on energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and resist efforts to raise taxes on U.S. energy companies. The event, which took place this morning, was organized by Save U.S. Energy Jobs, a project of the American Energy Alliance.

"My job matters," Thomas Clements a small business owner from Broussard, Louisiana, said. "So I've come to Washington to find somebody to hear me, to see my hopelessness, my no-man's-land that I'm in because of these proposed tax changes to the energy industry and the moratorium. I hope that Congress listens to us and protects American jobs."

Thomas and his wife, Melissa, are co-owners of Oilfield CNC Machining. They opened their business at the end of 2008 with a focus on producing quality metal parts for oilfield equipment used on offshore drilling rigs. With a year under their belts, the Clements were hoping that 2010 would be a breakout year for their new company. They were looking to hire more workers and expand their facility workspace. Although the oil spill in April 2010 and the initial 30-day moratorium put a damper on things, they weren't going to let that keep them down. But when the six month moratorium was issued their business came to a complete halt. Every order was cancelled. Now they are worried that taxes on American energy companies could harm the entire U.S. energy industry.

The Clements are just one tragic story.

Today more than fifty Gulf area residents came to Washington to share their perspectives. They're here to tell their representatives, "My Job Matters" and to ask their elected officials to lift the moratorium on energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and to not support changes to the tax code that would unfairly harm American energy companies.

According to a recent study released by Louisiana State University professor Dr. Joseph Mason, the six month moratorium will cost the Gulf region more than 8,000 jobs and more than $2.1 billion in economic activity. And if the moratorium is extended - the consequences could be much, much worse.

In addition to the current moratorium, President Obama and Members of Congress have not ruled out extending the moratorium and have also suggested repealing two provisions of the tax code that would raise taxes on U.S. based energy companies. One of these taxes would amount to a double taxation on American energy companies, hurting U.S. companies and acting as a de-facto bailout to foreign owned ones. Policymakers are also considering raising the cap on liabilities for energy companies - making their work unsustainable. Any of these new laws would do irreparable harm to American energy companies, raise the price of energy for consumers, weaken our nation's energy security, and kill U.S. jobs.

"In an economy like this, the President and Congress should be looking for ways to strengthen U.S. businesses, not weaken them," Thomas J. Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, said. "I'm proud that these hardworking small business owners are fighting for American energy jobs."

Following the press conference, the Gulf Coast residents fanned out across Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives in Congress and staffs.

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Nationwide Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Would Increase Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Study Finds

2010-08-03T18:21:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The implementation of a nationwide low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in the United States would increase global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 19 million metric tons each year - contradicting the claim of LCFS advocates that the standard would reduce such emissions - according to a study issued today.

The study assumes that because an LCFS would prevent American refineries from importing petroleum obtained from oil sands in neighboring Western Canada, the United States would instead have to import more oil in tankers from the Middle East and elsewhere. At the same time, the Canadian oil would be shipped in tankers across the Pacific to China and other Asian locations.

The study calls this long-distance movement of oil thousands of miles around the world in tankers a "shuffle" that would result in higher carbon dioxide emissions than simply extracting the Canadian petroleum from the oil sands for U.S. consumption, due to emissions created by shipping the oil such great distances.

Barr Engineering Company of Minneapolis conducted the study for members of NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association.

"In conducting this technical study, we looked at the most accurate data publicly available, and the conclusion was clear," said Joel Trinkle, senior air quality consultant at Barr and one of the authors of the study. "Crude shuffling under a nationwide LCFS would substantially raise overall greenhouse gas emissions."

The study found that:

-- "A LCFS implemented in the U.S. results in a notable increase in
greenhouse gas emissions due to the displacement of Canadian crude
imports to the U.S. and re-routing of crude imports and exports to
accommodate this displacement. ... Nearby Canadian crude sources
would be diverted to regions not affected by LCFS and replaced with
supplies from distant parts of the world." (Page 2)
-- "While it is likely that LCFS would change the mix of crude imports to
the United States, LCFS implemented in the United States is not
expected to change overall trends in energy use and demand for crude
resources throughout the rest of the world. A shift in U.S.
crude-supply preferences will simply cause redirection of crude
supplies elsewhere." (Page 4-5)
-- "This analysis of the change in crude-transport-related emissions
accompanying implementation of a LCFS indicates that the net effect
will be a doubling of GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions associated with
changes in crude-transport patterns. It indicates an increase in
global GHG emissions by 7.1 to 19.0 million metric tons per year,
depending on the extent of resulting Canadian crude displacement."
(Page 3)

Canada is currently the largest supplier of petroleum imported into the United States, but other nations are looking to the Canadian oil sands as a potential energy source. China alone has already invested more than $6 billion in Canadian oil sands projects as it continues to rapidly increase its presence in overseas energy production.

"By denying the American people access to oil from our friendly neighbor Canada, a low-carbon fuel standard would raise fuel costs and wipe out millions of American jobs," said NPRA President Charles T. Drevna. "Now this latest study shows that a nationwide LCFS won't reduce overall global greenhouse gas emissions - it will actually raise them. These findings simply reinforce NPRA's long-held belief that a federal low-carbon fuel standard is a policy of all pain and no gain."

Additional concerns regarding American access to Canadian oil sands resources have surfaced following a recent U.S. State Department decision regarding a proposed pipeline to transport Canadian crude to refineries in the Gulf Coast region. The decision will allow federal agencies an additional 90 days to comment on TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL project, pending the State Department's release of a final environmental impact statement. The proposed pipeline expansion would more than double the amount of Canadian crude imported to the United States.

Several regional and state LCFS initiatives are currently underway, including a statewide LCFS program in California established as part of the state's AB 32 climate law, and proponents of a federal LCFS continue to seek its enactment.

A federal LCFS provision was included in the 2008 Lieberman-Warner climate change bill that was defeated in the Senate. The 2009 Waxman-Markey climate change bill also contained an LCFS provision, although it was removed before the bill was passed by the House.

Two other recent studies cast additional doubt on the efficacy of low-carbon fuel standards:

-- A June 2010 report by Charles River Associates found that a nationwide
LCFS implemented in 2015 would result by 2025 in: the loss of between
2.3 million and 4.5 million American jobs; an increase of up to 170
percent in the price of gasoline and diesel fuel; and a 2 to 3 percent
decrease in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (totaling between $410
billion and $750 billion).
-- A report by the Canadian Energy Research Institute issued in October
2009 examined the impacts of developing Canadian oil sands on the U.S.
economy. It found that such development - which would be threatened by
the implementation of a nationwide LCFS in the United States - would
result in an estimated 343,000 new U.S. jobs between 2011 and 2015,
and that U.S. output of goods and services would increase by an
average of $62 billion per year from 2009 through 2025.

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New Poll: Americans Support Energy Production, Oppose Unfair Taxes by a 3-1 Margin

2010-07-30T14:28:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- A new survey released today by the American Energy Alliance (AEA) found that 77 percent of registered voters oppose efforts in Congress to tax American companies twice on income earned abroad. The poll also found that 3 out of 4 Americans agree that our energy companies should be allowed to continue offshore exploration for energy and, separately, that we should increase U.S. oil production.

"These results may not be what the leaders on Capitol Hill want to hear, but it is no surprise that even with the tragic events unfolding in the Gulf, Americans recognize the realities of our nation's economy, the abundance of energy still available here in the U.S., and the overall exemplary safety record of our nation's drillers," AEA president Thomas Pyle said.

"AEA recently commissioned a study that showed 12,000 jobs would be lost and $2.8 billion in economic activity with it, because of the Administration's six-month moratorium in the Gulf. This unpopular and unnecessary ban is costing more jobs every day and will cost every American in terms of higher energy prices and increased reliance on energy from unstable foreign regimes. Again, we urge the Administration to listen to the American people and reopen the Gulf to responsible energy development."

The survey, conducted by Jan R van Lohuizen from Voter/Consumer Outreach, comes at a time when the President and Congress are attempting to pay for environmental and other pet projects on the backs of American oil and gas companies. Two specific changes to the tax code included in the President's 2011 budget and under discussion on Capitol Hill would have the impact of increasing the cost of energy in the U.S. and could lead to even more job losses in the energy sector. The U.S. currently taxes the global income of its international companies, but provides a credit against domestic tax liability on that income in hopes of keeping American companies from being "double-taxed" on their overseas earnings. Targeting our own energy producers with this double-tax will weaken American energy companies' ability to compete with foreign energy companies.

Additionally, policymakers are looking to repeal Section 199 tax provisions which gives all businesses that manufacture goods within the U.S. an incentive to grow their U.S. operations and hire more U.S. workers. Some in Washington are attempting to repeal these provisions just on the oil industry, essentially discriminating against energy jobs. Today, the energy industry employs some 9 million workers. However, many of these jobs could be in jeopardy if the Administration and Congress continue the drilling moratorium and impose new and onerous taxes on these companies.

The survey also found that Americans overwhelmingly oppose new regulations on the energy industry and, instead, support efforts to better enforce existing laws (16%-75%).

The poll was commissioned by Save U.S. Energy Jobs, a project of the American Energy Alliance - a free market energy advocacy organization. To learn more and get exclusive information on upcoming projects, follow Save U.S. Energy Jobs on Twitter and Facebook.

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New Report Shows Significant Potential for Renewable Energy in South

2010-07-28T10:56:00.000-04:00

The South could generate 20-30 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources within the next 20 years – up from less than 4 percent today -- if strong federal policies are enacted, according to a report released July 27 by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Duke University. The analysis, “Renewable Energy in the South,” finds that conventional wisdom has underestimated the available renewable resources in the region and that a federal renewable electricity standard (RES) would enable the South to capitalize on this untapped renewable energy potential.

Read the Full Report Here: http://www.spp.gatech.edu/aboutus/workingpapers/renewable-energy-in-the-south

The South lags behind all other regions in renewable electricity, obtaining 3.7 percent of its power from renewable sources, compared to 9.5 percent for the country as a whole. Only four states (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Texas) have a state-level renewable portfolio standard, while three others have voluntary renewable energy goals. The fate of renewables in the South is not only important for the region, but for the nation as a whole since, in 2008, the region accounted for 44 percent of the country’s energy consumption.

Opponents of renewable energy production claim that the South lacks the renewable energy resources to capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy. However, the report finds that there are abundant renewable energy resources available that can be tapped if supportive policies are put in place. The report shows that if a 25 percent (by 2025) federal RES is enacted, the amount of electricity supplied by power companies from renewable sources could increase more than 250 percent above the level expected in 2030 if no new federal renewables policies were enacted.

A number of other studies have shown a large potential for renewable energy in the South,” said Etan Gumerman of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute and co-lead researcher of the study. “Our study shows that significant increases can actually be achieved, particularly through supportive local or federal policies.”

The report, using a customized version of the economic modeling system used by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, finds that a federal renewable electricity standard and carbon pricing system would increase the proportion of electricity derived from renewable sources by power companies in every state, particularly in wind and biomass. By 2030, the report shows, federal carbon pricing policy would increase renewable electricity production in the South by 390 percent.

“Countries around the world are already tapping into the potential of renewable energy, and are capturing export markets and generating jobs in the process,” said Dr. Marilyn Brown of the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-lead researcher of the study. “The report demonstrates that although many states in the South are off to a slow start, renewable initiatives are now underway across the region, and the potential for expansion is promising.”

In addition, the report finds that electricity produced by end-users, such as households and businesses using small-scale solar electric and heating facilities, would also benefit from federal policies and could supply a substantial portion of the region’s renewable electricity. Under a 25 percent RES, for example, renewable electricity supplied by utilities and end-users could increase by 154 percent. Carbon pricing policy could lead to a 266 percent increase above the total level of renewable electricity expected in the absence of federal policy changes.

“In the future, households and businesses have the potential to become major suppliers of clean, renewable electricity,” added Dr. Brown. “This changes the way we need to think about the South’s renewable energy potential.”

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Coalition of Consumers Urges Senate Not to Legislate Natural Gas Demand in Energy/Climate Bill

2010-07-23T11:26:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of major manufacturers, agricultural organizations and other industrial energy consumers today cautioned the Senate to avoid legislating new natural gas demand in any energy or climate change bill, saying such an approach would be "misguided" given existing strong demand growth and looming regulatory and political uncertainty surrounding access to major supply sources.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, 67 industrial and agriculture energy consumers -- representing farm and food concerns and makers of chemicals, fertilizer, glass, paper and steel -- expressed concern about artificially creating power and transportation sector demand for natural gas through legislative incentives. Doing so, they said, would cause the type of fuel switching that has ripple effects through the economy.

Paul Cicio, president of the Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA), said legislating new demand would prompt increased price volatility and higher prices. Higher natural gas prices also mean higher electricity costs.

"The impact will be felt by all consumers, not just industrial users," Cicio said. "Farmers will pay more for fertilizer, natural gas to dry their crops and electricity to run their irrigation systems; homeowners will pay more to heat and cool their homes; and manufacturers would be confronted with greater competitiveness challenges which threaten jobs at home."

The coalition said gas demand has been steadily rising in the past decade without the incentives being contemplated in the Senate and in the absence of carbon caps, which will increasingly shift more power generators from coal to natural gas. The power sector's natural gas demand has grown by nearly 30% since 2001.

"The economic recovery and our energy security will be better served if U.S. energy policy ensures American manufacturing can continue to compete globally and keep its jobs here," said Peter Molinaro, Dow Chemical's vice president of federal and state government affairs. "Our economy needs a diverse base of price-sensitive natural gas consumers -- and a diverse energy supply -- in order to reduce price volatility in all energy sectors."

The letter urges the Senate to allow the market to set supply and demand for natural gas instead of picking 'winners' and 'losers' through legislation.

The coalition acknowledged there is great hope that the large shale gas reserves will materialize as recoverable supplies. "However, history has shown that unforeseen circumstances, including the potential for both federal and state regulations to be placed on shale drilling, can either slow its production, increase its costs or otherwise dramatically alter these types of future projections."

The industrial and agriculture consumers called for a coherent energy policy that balances gas demand with the economy's need for affordable supplies.

Signatories to the letter include: American Forest &Paper Association, Dow Chemical Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Land O' Lakes, Steel Manufacturers Association and The Fertilizer Institute.

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GM First to Market Greenhouse Gas-Friendly Air Conditioning Refrigerant in U.S.

2010-07-23T09:26:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Co. will introduce a new greenhouse gas-friendly air-conditioning refrigerant in 2013 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models in the U.S. that keeps vehicle interiors as cool as today while reducing heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere by more than 99 percent.

The biggest benefit of the new refrigerant, (HFO-1234yf) supplied by Honeywell, is that it breaks down faster in the atmosphere than the refrigerant currently used (R-134a), On average, R-134a refrigerant has an atmospheric life of more than 13 years, giving it a global warming potential (GWP) of over 1,400.

By comparison, the new refrigerant lingers in the atmosphere for just 11 days and has a GWP of only 4, a 99.7 percent improvement. GWP is a value used to compare different greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. The base measurement for GWP is relative to that of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awards regulatory credit for the improved environmental performance of the new refrigerant, which helps GM meet the overall requirements of the EPA's new motor vehicle greenhouse gas regulations. The new regulation requires an overall 40 percent improvement in overall U.S. fleet average vehicle fuel economy by 2016. The use of HFO-1234yf will help GM vehicles significantly exceed its targets under the new regulations.

"GM's decision to adopt this new refrigerant is additional proof of our commitment to be on the forefront of green technologies that will keep our planet healthy for our children and grand-children," said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. "It's not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it's about environmental leadership and GM plans to lead in developing new technologies that will take the vehicle out of the environmental debate."

Said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Fluorine Products: "We're pleased that GM is taking the lead in choosing HFO-1234yf, a refrigerant that has a lower impact on global warming. This is another example of how Honeywell is developing innovative new environmental and energy-efficient solutions to meet our customers' current and future needs."

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IADC Applauds Senators' Leadership in Opposing Federal Drilling Moratorium

2010-07-20T11:54:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) applauds the leadership of three United States Senators: David Vitter (Louisiana), John Cornyn (Texas), and Roger Wicker (Mississippi), who are opposing the federal moratorium on offshore permitting and drilling activities announced on July 12 by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Last week the three Gulf Coast senators sponsored legislation (S. 3588) to lift the offshore drilling and permitting moratorium for companies that have complied with the new safety and inspection requirements issued by the Department of the Interior.

"The men and women whose livelihoods depend on the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry in the Gulf of Mexico deeply appreciate the efforts of our legislators to lift the drilling moratorium," said IADC President Dr. Lee Hunt. "Industry representatives have communicated to the Interior Department and Congress our industry's strong commitment to rigorous requirements for well design, enhanced training, and adoption of safety case requirements for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). We are dismayed by the continued blanket suspension of deepwater drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Lifting the moratorium is critical to tens of thousands of jobs in the deepwater industry and to the oil and gas service sector in the Gulf Coast region and throughout the country."

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Congress Passes Law to End Secrecy in Oil, Gas, and Mining Industry

2010-07-16T08:42:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- International humanitarian organization Oxfam America commends the U.S. Congress for making disclosure of payments from oil and mining companies to governments around the world a legal requirement. Included as part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation passed by the House and Senate, this historic measure will increase financial transparency in the oil, gas, and mining industry and help reduce the corruption, mismanagement, and conflict that are too often associated with natural resource extraction booms.

"Congress has made an unprecedented commitment to financial transparency and good governance in a sector that not only affects American wallets, but also some of the most vulnerable communities around the world," said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. "Secrecy of oil, gas and mining company payments to governments fosters government corruption and violent conflict in resource-rich countries that are home to more than half of the world's poorest people. Instability in these regions poses a long-term threat to national security, foreign policy, and economic interests in the United States."

The language included in the financial services reform measure was based on the Energy Security through Transparency Act (S. 1700), a bipartisan Senate bill championed by Senators Lugar (R-IN) and Cardin (D-MD). The new law creates a low-cost, uniform transparency method for oil, gas, and mining companies registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and covers more than 90 percent of internationally operating oil companies and many of the top international mining companies. Companies will be required to publicly disclose payments for the extraction of oil, gas, and minerals on a country-by-country and project basis as part of financial statements that are already required by the SEC. This not only includes American companies but also many foreign companies, such as Shell and BP, as well as companies from emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, and Russia.

"This provision is a critical part of the increased transparency and corporate responsibility that we are striving to achieve in the financial industry. Given the catastrophic events in the Gulf of Mexico, oil companies, in particular, should well understand that secrecy fosters instability, corruption and greater risk," said Senator Cardin. "We now have the tools to help people in resource-rich countries hold their leaders accountable for the money made from their oil, gas and minerals."

"Too often, oil money intended for a nation's poor ends up lining the pockets of the rich or is squandered on showcase projects instead of productive investments," said Senator Lugar when he spoke in favor of the measure when it was offered as an amendment to the Senate financial reform bill in late May. (The Cardin-Lugar amendment was co-sponsored by Senators Durbin (D-IL), Schumer (D-NY), Feingold (D-WI), Merkley (D-OR), and Johnson (D-SD).) He added: "This 'resource curse' affects us as well as producing countries. It exacerbates global poverty which can be a seedbed for terrorism, it empowers autocrats and dictators, and it can crimp world petroleum supplies by breeding instability."

"We applaud Senators Cardin and Lugar for spearheading this effort in the Senate that will both level the playing field for oil, gas, and mining companies and help citizens hold their governments accountable for using revenues for economic development and poverty reduction. We also thank Senator Leahy for offering the measure during the House-Senate conference process and House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank for his early leadership on transparency in the oil and mining industries and for his support for this measure that demonstrates U.S. commitment to transparent business practices and accountable governance," said Offenheiser.

"Passing this law sets up an international standard for the public disclosure of natural resource revenue information, but its effectiveness will be determined by strict implementation by lawmakers and development of effective implementing regulations by the SEC. Companies should heed the call for transparency so citizens of resource-rich countries can begin to use this information to hold their governments accountable for using revenues to address essential services like healthcare, education, and job creation."

Oxfam America calls on the SEC to quickly undertake its rule-making process to implement this important measure as Congress intended. "Oxfam America and its allies in the Publish What You Pay campaign will be closely following the rule-making process to ensure this groundbreaking disclosure measure is quickly put in place," said Offenheiser.

Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. Oxfam America is an affiliate of the international confederation Oxfam.

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ArcLight Acquires 640-MW Georgia Power Plant with $98 Million in Financing Led by GE Energy Financial Services

2010-07-13T09:40:00.000-04:00

-(BUSINESS WIRE)--ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC, through its wholly-owned affiliate AL Sandersville Holdings, LLC, has acquired a 640-megawatt generation facility located in Sandersville, Georgia from KGen Power Corporation for $130 million. GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), closed financing as the lead lender of the $98 million in senior secured credit facilities partially financing the acquisition.

Built in 2002, using eight 80-megawatt GE simple-cycle gas turbines, the Sandersville plant supplies power into the southeastern power market, particularly Georgia, during periods of peak demand or supply volatility. Sandersville is strategically located near four other facilities in Georgia owned by ArcLight through its affiliate Mackinaw Power, LLC, which have an aggregate capacity of 1,887 megawatts. Combined with Sandersville, this portfolio represents a more than 2,500-megawatt strategic platform making it the second largest independent power producer in the state, with the capacity to meet the peak demand of a city with a population of 450,000.

“This asset is an important addition to our southeast gas power generation facility portfolio that is well positioned to benefit from the current macroeconomic recovery and pending energy and carbon legislation, as well as the unconventional gas boom in the US," said Dan Revers, Managing Partner of ArcLight.

GE Energy Financial Services’ affiliate, GE Capital Markets, Inc., acted as sole lead arranger. Siemens Financial Services, Inc. joined GE Energy Financial Services in providing the $98 million in credit facilities comprised of a $78 million term loan and a $20 million letter of credit. Additional financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This transaction demonstrates GE Energy Financial Services’ deep expertise in power markets across the United States to provide debt financing for customers throughout the energy sector,” said Matt O’Connor, Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group at GE Energy Financial Services. “We applied our energy expertise to assess the southeastern power market which allowed us to structure and lead arrange this financing in a way that helps ArcLight grow and continue meeting power demand in the region.”

With approximately 50 dedicated professionals focused on debt products and services, GE Energy Financial Services provides structured, project and acquisition debt, revolving credit facilities, and corporate loans. The GE unit has a debt portfolio of nearly $7 billion, spanning power, oilfield services, pipelines, gas storage, refining, exploration and production, mining and fuel distribution. GE Capital Markets, Inc. provides arranging and syndication for many of these facilities.

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Electric Utilities Across the State Offer $500 Reward for Identification of Copper Thieves

2010-07-07T15:03:00.000-04:00

PRNewswire -- Georgia's electric utilities are offering $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in the theft of copper and other metals from their property.

Copper thefts from substations, utility poles and lines continue to be a growing problem for the industry. These thefts threaten the reliability of the electric system. In addition, damaged lines pose a danger of electrocution to anyone in the area, including utility workers.

Any information could be vital to the identification of thieves. This problem affects many businesses throughout the state, and the utilities are aggressively working with law enforcement agencies and scrap recyclers to apprehend the perpetrators. This reward is one tool to encourage the public's assistance.

Details such as a tag number, a physical description of a person or a car could be especially helpful. Anyone who observes suspicious activity around an electric substation or other utility facility is asked to contact the statewide copper theft hotline at 1-877-732-8717. If a theft is in progress, the witness should notify 911 first, then contact the hotline.

The $500 reward was first announced in February of 2009. Today the state's electric utilities continue their commitment to prosecute thieves but depend on the public to provide information which could lead to the arrest of these criminals.

The reward will be paid to anyone who furnishes information that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of someone involved in metals theft from a utility property in Georgia. The $500 award is being offered by Dalton Utilities, Electric Cities of Georgia, 42 electric membership cooperatives (EMCs), Georgia EMC, Georgia Power, Georgia Transmission Corp. and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.

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Georgia Power Seeks Cost Recovery of Investments in Cleaner Generation, Smart Grid and Environmental Controls

2010-07-04T17:33:00.000-04:00

PRNewswire -- Georgia Power on July 1 asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to increase its base rates approximately $615 million, or 8.2 percent of the company's retail rates, to recover the costs of investments in cleaner generation sources, power lines, smart grid technologies, environmental controls and energy efficiency programs to meet current and future customer demand.

The proposed change in rates would be effective Jan. 1, 2011.

"Georgia is the fourth-fastest growing state in the nation, and we have invested billions of dollars to serve that growth," said Ann Daiss, Georgia Power vice president, comptroller and chief accounting officer. "We must continue to invest in our infrastructure to maintain the reliable, affordable electricity and high level of customer satisfaction that our customers deserve and expect."

If the request is approved, the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an increase of about 10.1 percent, or $10.88. For business customers, the average increase would range from about 7.7 percent to 10.3 percent.

Additional increases, if approved, would become effective in subsequent years through existing and newly proposed cost-recovery mechanisms outlined in the filing. The company currently estimates increases for new generation, environmental controls and demand-side management programs are expected to increase the typical residential customer bill per month by about $5.38 in 2012 and $1.42 in 2013, respectively. These estimates will be updated through future filings with the PSC.

As of December 2009, the company's rates were approximately 14 percent below the national average and 7 percent below the Southeast average. Even with this proposed increase, Georgia Power's rates should remain below the national average, and its customers will be paying lower base rates today than they were in 1991 on an inflation-adjusted basis.

Since the last base-rate case in 2007, Georgia Power has invested almost $5 billion:

-- In reliability and Smart Grid - To ensure a stable and efficient grid,
and reliable service for customers.
-- In cleaner natural gas generation - To ensure adequate and cleaner
energy when customers need it. Plant McDonough Units 4, 5 and 6 are
scheduled to begin serving customers in January 2012, May 2012 and
January 2013.
-- For a cleaner environment - To continue to reduce emissions and meet
federal and state environmental standards. By 2015, the company
anticipates reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 85 percent and sulfur
dioxide emissions by 95 percent from 1990 levels, and achieving
significant reductions in other emissions.

Georgia Power also is proposing changes to its current accounting order with the PSC that would:

-- Replace large rate changes with smaller, periodic adjustments.
-- Allow customers to benefit from cost controls and proactive management
on a timelier basis.
-- Allow customers to share in unexpected economic and/or weather
impacts.
-- Support a more timely process for review of both past and projected
costs than the current lengthy and complex filings.
-- Help maintain the financial stability of the company and keep
financing costs low.

In addition, the company's plan features new energy-efficiency programs that will help customers control their energy use and save money. It also includes a new electric vehicle rate that encourages customers to charge at lower-cost, off-peak times and pay less for electricity.

The PSC will hold public hearings October through December. A final decision is expected Dec. 21, 2010, with new rates going into effect Jan. 1, 2011.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility that serves 2.3 million customers and has operations in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Georgia Power's filing with the Georgia PSC to increase retail base rates, implement new base rate tariffs, and modify existing base rate tariffs. There are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated results will be realized. These factors include: state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations, including rate actions relating to fuel and other cost recovery and the Georgia PSC's review of Georgia Power's 2010 base rate case filing (the final outcome of which may differ materially from Georgia Power's proposal); the impact of recent and future federal and state regulatory change, including legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry, implementation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, environmental laws including regulation of water quality, coal combustion byproducts, and emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, soot, particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, and other substances, and also changes in tax and other laws and regulations to which Georgia Power is subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws and regulations; current and future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries, including the pending Environmental Protection Agency civil actions against Georgia Power, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters, and Internal Revenue Service audits; the effects, extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets in which Georgia Power operates; variations in the demand for electricity, including those related to weather, the general economy and recovery from the recent recession, population and business growth (and declines), and the effect of energy conservation measures; available sources and costs of fuel; effects of inflation; ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of facilities; investment performance of Georgia Power's employee benefit plans and nuclear decommissioning trusts; advances in technology; potential Department of Energy loan guarantees related to the potential Plant Vogtle expansion; internal restructuring or other restructuring options that may be pursued; the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and when due and to perform as required; the ability to obtain new short- and long-term contracts with wholesale customers; the direct or indirect effect on the business of Georgia Power resulting from terrorist incidents and the threat of terrorist incidents; interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts, and the credit ratings of Georgia Power; the ability of Georgia Power to obtain additional generating capacity at competitive prices; catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, hurricanes, pandemic health events, such as influenzas, or other similar occurrences; the direct or indirect effects on the business of Georgia Power resulting from incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of generating resources; the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard setting bodies; and other factors discussed in reports filed by Georgia Power from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward looking statements.

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Europe's ETS Failures Forecast Problems For US Cap-And-Trade

2010-06-23T07:04:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Today, as the Senate contemplates whether now is the time to act on climate proposals, the U.S. Climate Task Force released a new analysis of how Europe's cap-and-trade program has worked in practice. The report, "Europe's Emissions Trading System," by Harvard economist and international trade expert Richard Cooper, details how this approach has produced substantial volatility in the price of carbon, proven to be vulnerable to significant abuses, and has failed to spur any meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

In order for a climate program to achieve significant, long-term effects, Dr. Cooper notes, "a steady, persistent price signal should be sent to all decision-making agents that they should reduce CO2 emissions at all times." Such a signal can be achieved through a revenue-neutral, carbon fee or tax.

"Dr. Cooper's in-depth analysis supports what many long speculated - carbon trading schemes are costly and ineffective," adds Dr. Elaine Kamarck, former senior policy advisor to Vice President Al Gore and current CTF Co-chair. "These failings may explain why a 2009 Hart Research survey found that only two percent of US voters hold very positive view of cap and trade - the system at the core of the current Senate bill. Using the trials and errors of Europe's ETS as guideposts, Washington lawmakers can make a much needed course correction on America's climate policy."

CTF Chair Dr. Robert Shapiro, former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce and senior advisor to Bill Clinton notes, "the myriad problems inherent in Europe's ETS will only be exacerbated in the US. While permit prices fluctuated from 30 Euros at its height to zero Euros at its five year low, the EU reduced GHG emissions by a mere two percent. If the US Congress truly aims to pass effective, long-term climate legislation - as it must -- a carbon-based tax of the type that been highly successful in Scandinanvia is the only sensible course."

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Southern Company, DOE Agree to Conditional Nuclear Loan Guarantee Terms

2010-06-21T10:53:00.000-04:00

PRNewswire -- Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO David M. Ratcliffe on June 18 announced that the company's Georgia Power subsidiary has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to accept terms for a conditional commitment for loan guarantees.

"This will provide Georgia Power customers significant savings," said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett.

President Obama and DOE Secretary Steven Chu announced the award of the conditional loan guarantees to Georgia Power on February 16.

"This is another step forward on the road to nuclear power playing a prominent role in America's energy future," said Ratcliffe. "Nuclear energy is vital in any effort to make meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and meet this nation's rising demand for electricity. This conditional commitment is an endorsement of the company's performance as a safe, efficient nuclear operator with strong financial integrity."

The new units will be located at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga., where the company already owns and operates two nuclear units. The conditional commitment is for loan guarantees that would apply to future borrowings related to the construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4.

Total guaranteed borrowings would not exceed 70 percent of the company's eligible projected costs, or approximately $3.4 billion, and are expected to be funded by the Federal Financing Bank. Any guaranteed borrowings would be full recourse to Georgia Power and secured by a first priority lien on the company's 45.7 percent ownership interest in the two new units.

Final approval and issuance of the loan guarantees are subject to receipt of the Combined Operating License from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), completion of final agreements, the receipt of any other required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions. The company received an early site permit and limited work authorization from the NRC for the two additional units in 2009, and site work has begun.

The additions of units 3 and 4 are expected to produce approximately 3,500 jobs during construction and 800 permanent jobs once the units begin operation.

Along with Georgia Power's existing portion of the two 1,100-megawatt reactors, the remaining ownership is split among Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Georgia Power's share of the project cost is currently projected at approximately $6.1 billion, which includes approximately $1.7 billion of financing costs to be collected during construction.

The DOE loan guarantees are expected to save Georgia Power's customers millions in interest costs annually over the expected life of any guaranteed borrowings, based on preliminary estimates. The actual amount of the interest savings will depend upon the final terms and the timing of the specific borrowings and cannot be determined at this time.

Units 3 and 4 are expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, will oversee the construction as well as operate the two new units for Georgia Power and the other owners. Southern Nuclear currently operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units as well as Georgia Power's Plant Hatch nuclear facility near Baxley, Ga., and Alabama Power's Plant Farley nuclear facility near Dothan, Ala.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the conditional commitment and DOE loan guarantees, estimated cost savings from DOE loan guarantees, and projected costs of construction and in service dates for Vogtle units 3 and 4. Southern Company and Georgia Power caution that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company and Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of Southern Company and Georgia Power for the year ended December 31, 2009, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: timely receipt of necessary regulatory approvals related to the Plant Vogtle expansion, including Georgia Public Service Commission and NRC approvals; interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions, including the credit ratings of Southern Company and Georgia Power; satisfaction of all conditions to the final issuance and approval of DOE loan guarantees, including negotiation of final agreements, continuing due diligence by the DOE and receipt of any required regulatory approvals; and the ability to control costs and avoid delays in the construction of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, including risks related to shortages and inconsistent quality of equipment, materials and labor, work stoppages, contractor or supplier non-performance under construction or other agreements, adverse weather conditions, unforeseen engineering problems, changes in project design or scope, environmental and geological conditions, and unanticipated cost increases. Southern Company and Georgia Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

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Friends of the Earth: Billions of Dollars in Tax Breaks for Each New Reactor Under Kerry-Lieberman Wipe Out Risk for Utilities Already Benefiting From Massive Loan Guarantees

2010-06-17T13:43:00.000-04:00

/USNewswire/ -- The nuclear industry could end up facing no risk under massive tax break subsidies in the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill, according to an important new analysis conducted for Friends of the Earth by the research organization Earth Track. These tax breaks totaling $9.7 billion to $57.3 billion (depending on the type and number of reactors) would come on top of the Kerry-Lieberman measure's lucrative $35.5 billion addition to the more than $22.5 billion in loan guarantees already slated for nuclear power.

Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica said: "Doling out an additional $1.3-$3 billion in tax breaks per new reactor means the industry would be at the table playing almost entirely with taxpayer money. Industry will have little to lose when a reactor goes belly up. While taxpayers are bankrolling the industry's nuclear gamble they would share in none of the reactor's financial returns. In fact, all taxpayers will receive if the reactors are built is responsibility for disposing of the waste. By contrast, investors stand to make billions with no risk should their reactor gambit goes belly up and enter bankruptcy."

Earth Track Founder Doug Koplow said: "These substantial tax breaks for new reactors greatly impede market access for competing energy sources and worsen the already substantial risks to taxpayers from a nuclear build-out. As has clearly been shown in U.S. mortgage markets, the likelihood of bad financial decisions rises sharply if only other people's capital is at risk. Kerry-Lieberman's nuclear tax breaks do just this by replacing investor equity with taxpayer money, and allowing investment tax credits to be claimed even before the reactor is operating. The provision to recover credits in the event a reactor is cancelled or suspended is unlikely to be effective in the most likely cause of termination - a bankruptcy due to poor economics."

The memo evaluates three tax break subsidies, describing how they work and estimating their subsidy value to recipients in the nuclear power sector:

-- 5-year accelerated depreciation period for new nuclear power plants
(Kerry-Lieberman section 1121).
-- Investment tax credit (ITC) for nuclear power facilities (K-L section
1122) and the related grants for qualified nuclear power facility
expenditures in lieu of tax credits (K-L section 1126).
-- Modification of credit for production from advanced nuclear power
facilities (K-L section 1124).

According to the Earth Track analysis:
-- The K-L tax breaks would be worth billions per reactor. The new
subsidies will be worth between $1.3 billion and nearly $3.0 billion
on a net present value per new reactor. This is equivalent to between
15 and 20 percent of the total all-in cost of the reactors, as
projected by industry. In fact, the new nuclear tax break subsidies
would be worth 15 to more than 50 percent of the expected market value
of power the plants will produce. This is over and above the many
other subsidies the nuclear projects would already receive.
-- The new K-L tax breaks will undermine equity requirements of the
nuclear loan guarantee program. In theory, the current rules require
investors to hold a 20 percent equity stake in the new project. A key
goal of this requirement is to ensure investors have a strong interest
in the long-term success of the venture. However, the K-L bill would
in effect allow investors to recover funds equal to this equity share
within the first few years of plant operation. Financial risks from
project failure would then rest almost entirely with taxpayers.
-- Total tax subsidies to new reactors could reach tens of billions of
dollars from K-L's two main tax breaks alone. The national cost of
K-L's tax provisions can be benchmarked by evaluating two build-out
scenarios: six reactors, matching the number likely to be supported
under K-L's expanded nuclear loan guarantee pool; and 22 reactors,
matching the number going through NRC licensing as of May 2010. As not
all reactors will be the same type, the calculations assume half are
AP1000s and half Areva EPRs. Under a six-reactor scenario, K-L will
add $9.7 billion to $15.6 billion in tax subsidies to nuclear power.
Under a 22-reactor scenario, the net present value of subsidies on
offer just through 5-year depreciation and ITCs reaches $35.7 billion
to $57.3 billion. Neither of these other subsidies have any national
caps under Kerry-Lieberman.

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PSC Candidate Tim Echols to headline “Energy Forum” in Savannah, Valdosta, and Marietta

2010-06-12T21:44:00.002-04:00

With pending rate increases, an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the looming “Cap and Trade” federal legislation on the horizon, energy is a “hot topic” issue.

Three “forums” are slated to allow the public to listen and discuss the future of energy in the state of Georgia. Two key speakers will be Sam Fleet, the state director for the Pickens Plan, and Tim Echols, candidate for the Public Service Commission, a statewide seat. Other speakers will be announced soon

“Foreign oil is a threat to American safety,” says Fleet. “It’s time to move forward to energy independence and bring more jobs to America and the state of Georgia.”

Echols has been traveling the state promoting nuclear power, renewable energy and the conversion of municipal vehicles to CNG (compressed natural gas). “I think the potential cost overruns for the new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle will be the biggest issue during my six year term,” said Echols. “If Pres. Obama somehow passes Cap and Trade, however, Georgia may face unprecedented energy cost increases in order to comply. It will not be good for our state.”

Stephen Morris, the official organizer of the events, said that many Georgians feel they don’t have enough input into the Public Service Commission hearing process. “These meetings will give the ordinary citizen a chance to listen, learn and offer suggestions to opinion leaders like Fleet and Echols,” said Morrison, a college student from Savannah.

Savannah Event Details: June 16, Wed, 12pm to 1:30pm at the Southwest Chatham Library at 14097 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419 (behind Target at Savannah Mall)

Valdosta Event Details: June 18, Friday, 12:30pm to 2pm at the Valdosta Library at Valdosta-Lowndes County Library, 300 Woodrow Wilson Drive in Valdosta, Georgia 31602.

Cobb Event Details: June 24, Thursday, 4:30pm to 6:00pm at the East Marietta Public Library, 2051 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068-3352.

To see more on Sam Fleet and the Pickens Plan, go to http://www.pickensplan.com/news/2010/05/22/georgia-state-leader-traveling-across-to-georgia-to-support-pickens-plan/

Echols’ newest campaign commercial can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h3d6MOCRYQ

More information on his criteria for can be found at www.timechols.com

APOGEE Interactive Websites Take Top Honors in National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Annual Competition

2010-06-10T10:09:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- APOGEE Interactive, an industry-leading provider of online solutions to energy utilities, dominated the winners' circle in the Best Website category of this year's Spotlight on Excellence competition hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Council of Rural Electric Communicators.

Two APOGEE clients earned honors for websites -- the most award winners posted by a single vendor in the Best Website category.

Spotlight on Excellence recognizes electric cooperatives for high-quality communication and marketing efforts. The NRECA member websites were judged on criteria such as relevant and concise text, easy navigation, distinctive appearance, and engaging opportunities for visitor interaction. More than 800 entries were submitted in this year's competition and were judged by faculty members of the distinguished journalism schools at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Apogee has designed, built and hosts more than 150 utility websites nationwide, many earning a variety of industry accolades each year ranging from NRECA's to the Public Relations Society of America.

Flint Energies Inc. (www.flintenergies.com), a member-owned electric cooperative based in Warner Robins, Ga., won the Award of Excellence in the Best Website category. Flint is one of APOGEE's original website clients dating back to the mid '90s and this winning website version was revamped and redesigned by Apogee in 2009. The site includes a self-serve Home Energy Audit for customers, a HomeEnergySuite with a virtual home 'tour' of energy costs, and a CommercialEnergySuite for business and industry clients - all developed by Apogee.

Georgia EMC (www.georgiaemc.com), the statewide EMC trade association based in Tucker, Ga., and another longtime APOGEE client, earned an Award of Merit. Redesigned and newly launched last year by APOGEE, this site features a comprehensive Members Center for EMC associates, Calendar and Media centers, and numerous pages with information on green power, energy efficiency, statewide legislative initiatives and community outreach.

"We're dedicated to helping our utility clients achieve highly positive website interactions with their members and consumers," said APOGEE President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Gilbert. "In addition to engaging design and intuitive navigation, our expertise also includes compelling energy efficiency tools that are fun and easy to use, which all help create positive user experiences and energy-saving behavior."

APOGEE Interactive Inc. (www.apogee.net)

Founded in 1994, APOGEE is a leading provider of online energy efficiency solutions to energy utilities. The company's energy analysis applications are currently in use by more than 450 utilities across the US, reaching millions of consumers daily, and its website client roster now exceeds 150 companies. APOGEE's clients include leading investor-owned, public power and cooperative energy companies including Flint Energies, Georgia EMC, Marietta Power & Water, Southern Company (SO), Cobb EMC, Con Edison (ED), BGE (CEG), NSTAR (NST), American Electric Power (AEP), Entergy (ETR), SMUD, Puget Sound Energy and Jackson EMC.

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GreyStone Power Corporation Enters Into $600 Million + Power Purchase and Scheduling Agent Services Agreement with Morgan Stanley Capital Group

2010-05-26T10:44:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- On May 12, 2010, the Board of Directors of GreyStone Power Corporation ("GreyStone") approved a five-year Power Purchase and Scheduling Agent Services Agreement with Morgan Stanley Capital Group. The Agreement is valued at more than $600 million.

Background

GreyStone is a member-owned, non-profit rural electric distribution cooperative located on the west side of Atlanta serving portions of eight metropolitan Atlanta counties. Its main office is located at 4040 Bankhead Highway, Douglasville, GA 30134.

GreyStone is one of the largest members of Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the generation supplier from which GreyStone purchases most of its power needs. Under its agreement with Oglethorpe, GreyStone is permitted to procure its remaining power requirements from competitive wholesale power suppliers if it so chooses.

Morgan Stanley Capital Group is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and is engaged in wholesale sales and purchases of electricity throughout the United States, including Georgia. Morgan Stanley has been an active participant in the Georgia market for a number of years.

GreyStone conducted a competitive procurement beginning in January by issuing a form of agreement to a selected list of potential power suppliers. GreyStone negotiated an agreement with each potential power supplier and asked each to price their respective agreement. GreyStone selected Morgan Stanley from the competing power suppliers based on the consideration of price and contract terms.

The Power Purchase and Scheduling Agent Services Agreement

The agreement provides that Morgan Stanley will schedule the energy from GreyStone's resources or provide power from the market, whichever is more economical, to serve all of GreyStone's load.

The agreement will allow GreyStone to adapt to changing legal, public policy and regulatory requirements, and to purchase renewable and alternative energy, and implement demand response, net metering and other new technologies.

Gary Miller, the President and Chief Executive officer of GreyStone, stated: "We selected Morgan Stanley after an extensive and competitive procurement process in which we sought the best combination of price and contract terms. We were pleased with Morgan Stanley's willingness to work with us and believe we have obtained a well priced agreement for GreyStone's members that also provides flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances in the future."

Alex Tolstykh, Managing Director and Head of Southeast/Mid-West Power and Gas at Morgan Stanley said: "We are excited to be selected as supplier to GreyStone and look forward to doing a great job serving GreyStone's power needs during the contract and beyond."

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Waste Management Debuts New Landfill-Gas-to-Energy Facility at Superior Landfill in Savannah, Ga.

2010-05-25T18:22:00.000-04:00

PRNewswire -- Waste Management today debuted a landfill-gas-to-energy facility at its Superior Landfill and Recycling Center, which uses methane gas to power up to 3,400 homes in the surrounding area. More than 100 state and local officials, business and community leaders gathered for an opening event and tours showcasing the new facility.

The facility is among the largest of its kind in Georgia and the Southeast, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. It represents a new source of green energy entering the power grid, lessening our dependence on fossil fuels. Methane gas -- created from the natural decomposition of waste -- is taken from the landfill through a series of wells placed around the site. From there, gas is used to power eight large engines to generate electricity, creating approximately 6.4 megawatts of power.

"The opening of this facility represents a new source of clean, renewable energy for our community," said Robby White, district manager for Waste Management in Savannah. "It is an environmentally responsible way to harness the energy from the waste we all generate."

Georgia Power and Waste Management Renewable Energy LLC entered into a 10-year deal for electricity, which was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in April. Georgia Power selected Waste Management from a number of independent renewable generators that submitted bids through the company's green request for proposals issued in April 2009. The energy from Superior is helping grow Georgia Power's Green Energy program.

"Landfill gas is a clean energy resource that has been endorsed by the U.S. EPA as an environmentally wise alternative that reduces our reliance on fossil fuels," said Paul Pabor, vice president of Renewable Energy for Waste Management. "Over the years, Waste Management has worked closely with businesses, industries and public utilities to develop many beneficial-use projects. We currently have more than 115 projects across North America, including three other sites in Georgia."

Waste Management tailors its services to meet the needs of each customer group and to ensure consistent, superior service at the local level. Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Its subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy and waste-to-energy facilities in the United States. With nearly 800 employees in Georgia, the company serves residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout North America.

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Chevron Energy Solutions and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany Announce First Navy Landfill Gas Project

2010-05-21T07:49:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) , and the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany today announced the start of construction for the Department of Navy's first landfill gas cogeneration project.

The project will produce 1.9 megawatts of renewable electric power and steam by burning landfill gas collected from a nearby landfill. Chevron Energy Solutions will also complete industrial lighting retrofits in 82 buildings and expand the existing energy management control system. When combined with the cogeneration project, these measures will reduce the base's purchase of utility power and reduce MCLB's carbon emissions by 19,300 tons annually, equivalent to removing 16,000 cars from the road.

"This project is important to the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps and Dougherty County. And with the help of Chevron Energy Solutions we will surpass our federal renewal energy goals, and fulfill our aspiration of becoming the 'greenest' Marine Corps installation in the nation," said Col. Terry V. Williams, commanding officer, MCLB Albany. "In addition to providing renewable power and energy security and reliability to MCLB, the project provides a valuable long-term source of revenue for Dougherty County. It took the hard work of many different partners to make this project a reality."

Chevron Energy Solutions developed and designed the project and will maintain the landfill gas-to-energy facility, pipeline and landfill gas processing equipment. The new facility will house a dual-fuel engine generator, a stack heat recovery steam generator and two dual-fuel boilers. The primary equipment can operate on landfill gas or natural gas, which provides energy security benefits. MCLB's use of renewable power will increase to 19 percent, which exceeds the EPAct of 2005 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandate of 7.5 percent renewable power use by 2013.

Chevron Energy Solutions and MCLB will share in the operation of the generator and steam-producing equipment. Through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), Chevron Energy Solutions arranged the financing for the project, which is repaid through the energy costs avoided. The company also guarantees system performance for 22 years.

"MCLB Albany is harnessing the power of an important renewable energy source through a partnership with the local community and we are proud of this effort," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "The project is funded entirely by energy savings and demonstrates how military bases and local governments can work together with private industry to meet federal mandates without increasing taxpayer costs."

Dougherty County will extract and sell the landfill gas to MCLB from the Fleming/Gaissert Road Landfill, which receives approximately 100,000 tons of municipal solid waste each year. The biological decomposition of the waste generates landfill gas that is approximately 50 percent methane gas by volume.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held today and military, government and business officials attended. The project is expected to be completed by April 2011.

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Price Carbon Campaign: Kerry-Lieberman Bill Is No Match for Climate Challenge

2010-05-12T08:53:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- While senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) should be commended for their tireless efforts on climate and energy legislation, several flaws in their proposal will prevent it from reducing carbon dioxide to levels that are safe and sustainable, the Price Carbon Campaign said in a statement today.

"The Kerry-Lieberman bill fails the acid test of climate legislation, which is to provide clear signals on emission prices. Investors, entrepreneurs and households all need certainty in future fuel and energy prices, but Kerry-Lieberman hides these crucial price signals behind a curtain of cap-and-trade," said economist Charles Komanoff, co-founder of the Carbon Tax Center, one of the campaign members.

The Kerry-Lieberman bill also allows polluters to purchase carbon offsets, which will delay by precious decades America's transition to clean energy, the campaign said.

"Instead of making needed investments in renewable energy, utilities will have the much cheaper option of investing in third-world projects aimed at cutting carbon," said Tom Stokes, Coordinator of the Climate Crisis Coalition. "Most of these offsets do nothing to reduce current emissions, and they allow polluters in the U.S. to keep burning coal and other dirty fuels."

The campaign also said the Kerry-Lieberman bill fails to adequately protect American households from rising energy costs.

"We need to cut CO2, but we shouldn't stick hard-working families with the bill," said Marshall Saunders, Founder and President of Citizens Climate Lobby, another campaign member. "We believe all the revenue derived from pricing carbon should be returned to everyone, either through direct payment or payroll tax reductions."

The Price Carbon Campaign supports the "People's Climate Stewardship Act," introduced by Dr. James Hansen at the Climate Rally in Washington, DC, on April 25. Rep. John Larson (D-CT) and Bob Inglis (R-SC) have each introduced bills based on the same paramount principles: steadily-increasing carbon fees and recycling the revenue back to the American people.

The Price Carbon Campaign includes Climate Crisis Coalition, Carbon Tax Center and Citizens Climate Lobby.

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Groups: Negative Court Ruling in Georgia Throws DOE's Nuclear Loan Guarantee Bailout Program Into Question

2010-05-07T07:52:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- The only taxpayer-backed loan guarantee bailout to be offered for new nuclear reactors - $8.3 billion for two reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia - should be rescinded now that the project was dealt a setback in a decision by a Georgia judge that state officials illegally certified the project, according to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) and Public Citizen.

The groups also noted that, despite the push in Congress for more controversial loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors, the other two leading contenders for such bailouts - the South Texas Project at Bay City on the Gulf Coast (114 miles from San Antonio and 90 miles from Houston) and Calvert Cliffs in Maryland - are more unsettled than ever and now pose an even greater risk to U.S. taxpayers.

As such, the groups also said that Department of Energy (DOE) should refrain from offering any new loan guarantees to nuclear projects before overhauling its evaluation process.

DOE has stated that the $10 billion remaining in loan guarantee authority is only sufficient for one of the two projects and has requested another $9 billion in the appropriations supplemental to cover the second project. In its FY2011 budget request, the Obama Administration has already requested $36 billion in loan guarantee authority, a tripling of the nuclear loan guarantee program.

The groups detailed the setbacks at the Georgia project and other two federal bailout candidates as follows:

VOGTLE

Last Friday, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy won its lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court that aimed to protect Georgians from unfair utility costs in connection with the proposed construction of two new nuclear reactors at Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia. The Court found that the Georgia Public Service Commission acted illegally in violation of Georgia state law. The Commission's approval last year during the certification process for the proposed new Vogtle reactors was put into question.

At Friday's hearing, Judge Wendy Shoob heard SACE's allegation that the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) erred as a matter of law by failing to make findings of fact and conclusions of law as required. Specifically, the group alleged that the PSC did not provide the required written justifications for its findings that would "afford an intelligent review" by the courts. The PSC instead relied on statements void of any reasoning. The Court ruled in favor of SACE and found that the PSC acted illegally in violation of Georgia state law by failing to make all appropriate findings and to support those findings with a concise and explicit statement of the facts. Just prior to the decision, Southern Company had yet to accept the conditional guarantee and had requested another month to decide. On Wednesday, the Court issued the final order, remanding the case back to the PSC. (See http://www.cleanenergy.org/images/testimony/FinalOrderPetitionforJudicialRevie w050510.pdf for more information.)

Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said: "This ruling raises further concerns over the Obama Administration's controversial decision in February to award an $8.3 billion taxpayer-financed conditional loan guarantee for Southern Company's proposed Vogtle project, the first to be offered one in the country. Given this decision and the economic risks to U.S. taxpayers of this project, DOE should rescind its offer of a loan guarantee. DOE needs to re-evaluate its 'due-diligence' procedures before offering any other loan guarantees. For example, how can a loan guarantee be offered before a reactor design is even certified as safe by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?"

SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT

The estimated cost for two NRG proposed reactors in Texas has risen from $5.8 billion in 2006 to a reported $18.2 billion at the end of 2009. As a result, the City of San Antonio pulled out of 85 percent of its investment in the project, leaving a void of as much as 33 percent of the project without investors.

Karen Hadden, executive director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) coalition, said: "The South Texas nuclear reactor is an economic disaster waiting to happen. The costs have trebled since the plant was proposed, NRG's credit is just one notch above a junk bond rating, NRG's partner sued them for fraud and no one wants to buy shares due to the fast-rising costs. The federal government may foolishly put taxpayer money behind the South Texas Project, but it can't force anyone to buy the resulting overpriced power. Since Texas is deregulated, this plant will have to sell excess energy into the market. Expensive nuclear power must compete against cheaper and plentiful efficiency, wind and natural gas. As a result, the power it produces won't be too cheap to meter -- instead it will be too expensive to sell. If we give this turkey loan guarantees -- taxpayers will get stuck with the bill."

CALVERT CLIFFS

In 2007, the cost estimate for the proposed new reactor at Calvert Cliffs was $5 billion. Since then, UniStar has been reluctant to provide any public cost estimates for construction of the proposed Calvert Cliffs-3 reactor, but in August 2008 hearings before the Maryland Public Service Commission, CEO George Vanderheyden acknowledged that the company's estimates are on the "upper end" of the $4,500 - $6,000 per kilowatt (kWh) level. For a 1600 megawatt reactor such as Calvert Cliffs-3, that would mean construction costs of about $9.6 billion. Even that high figure is likely to be low, since the Pennsylvania utility PPL has posted an estimate of $13-15 billion for precisely the same reactor design at Bell Bend in PA.

Additionally, the original drive for Calvert Cliffs preceded the recent decline in demand for power in the region. Power purchase agreements have yet to be established for Calvert Cliffs. Though "demand for power" does not need to be demonstrated by the reactor owner, demand for power in the region has dropped off due to the market downturn, obviating most or all of the need for Calvert Cliffs.

Allison Fisher, organizer for Public Citizen's Energy Program, Public Citizen said: "Taxpayers should be outraged that they are being put on the hook for a reactor design that has been plagued with huge delays and cost overrun. The same reactor is currently under construction in Finland and France. Both projects have been plagued with delays and cost overruns. The Finnish project is three and a half years behind schedule with a 75 percent cost overrun thus far."

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Atlanta Gas Light Files First Rate Case in Five Years

2010-05-03T19:14:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Facing higher operating expenses and declining revenue in a stubborn economy, Atlanta Gas Light today filed an application with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting a monthly increase in base rates of $2.95 for residential customers.

In its first rate case filing in more than five years, Atlanta Gas Light attributes the primary need for the increase to higher compliance and operating costs, including employee expenses and declining customer growth. If granted, it would be the first base rate increase for Atlanta Gas Light since 1993. Revenues from base rates are what the utility uses to provide its core services. Even with the proposed increase, company forecasts indicate revenues collected from customers in 2010-2011 would be lower than the company received in 2005.

For the first time in company history, Atlanta Gas Light has lost more customers than it has added for two consecutive years. In 2009 alone, Atlanta Gas Light experienced a net loss of over 8,000 customers from the system. The impact of a slower rate of new customer additions and higher customer attrition means the fixed costs of the utility are spread over fewer customers, which contributes to the upward pressure on rates.

"Over the past five years, we have taken aggressive steps to control costs and manage our utility expenses," said Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light. "This rate adjustment is necessary to maintain appropriate service levels, to invest in vital programs that will make us more efficient, and to improve our ability to meet our customer needs. We deferred this necessary step as long as we could."

A portion of the increase would support Atlanta Gas Light's ongoing five-year business plan presented in the application. Called "Customer First," the plan includes customer service initiatives such as:

-- Automated Meter Reading Technology, which will equip radio technology
to hundreds of thousands of meters and is expected to improve
efficiency and accuracy and provide real-time consumption data;

-- Re-establishing the Customer Call Center in Atlanta, bringing
approximately 74 jobs to Riverdale, Ga., to better handle customer
care;

-- Improved Technology Systems, intended to provide quicker response
times for marketer and customer services and improved web features for
customer scheduling and personal consumption statistics;

-- Service Call Courtesies and Repair/Replace Vouchers, enabling utility
technicians during service calls to perform minor repairs or leave
behind repair or replacement vouchers for ENERGY STAR appliances. This
program is expected to help avoid service interruption, improve safety
and retain customers on the natural gas system, which keeps costs down
for all ratepayers; and

-- Increased Service Availability, intended to improve response time and
shorten customer wait time for the company to complete orders.

Atlanta Gas Light has included a proposal expected to help hold down future operating expenses by adopting a policy to require the company to share 50 percent of the cost savings resulting from future acquisitions with Atlanta Gas Light customers through lower operating expenses. Two recent acquisitions in Virginia and New Jersey have produced more than $100 million in cost savings since 2005, benefiting residential and commercial Atlanta Gas Light customers.

"A formal policy requiring that Atlanta Gas Light customers receive fifty percent of the cost savings from future acquisitions is the right thing to do," said Hank Linginfelter, executive vice president, AGL Resources. "We have reduced overall corporate service expenses shouldered by Atlanta Gas Light's customers from 90 percent to 48 percent through our most recent transactions, and we are now able to provide shared corporate services at one of the lowest rates in the country among major gas utilities."

The company's rate proposal is expected to increase the average annual residential natural gas bill by about 3 percent. If granted, the new rates would be expected to generate about $54 million annually. The new revenue would support ongoing operations and reset the company's return on equity ($18.5 million), fund new customer service initiatives ($13.4 million), collect a portion of savings from mergers benefiting Atlanta Gas Light customers ($14.5 million), and restructure depreciation expenses ($7.7 million). The changes would go into effect in November 2010 and would be reflected in Atlanta Gas Light's base rate charge assessed to customers by their certificated gas marketer.

The PSC will hold public hearings on the company's application beginning in August and will evaluate the case under its legal obligation to balance the need for the consumer to receive reliable services at reasonable rates with the need to provide the utility with the opportunity to earn a reasonable return on its investment.

About Atlanta Gas Light

Atlanta Gas Light, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL) , provides natural gas delivery service to more than 1.5 million customers in Georgia. In operation since 1856, the company is one of the oldest corporations in the state. For more information, visit www.atlantagaslight.com.

About AGL Resources

AGL Resources (NYSE:AGL) , an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout North America. As an 85-percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates Jefferson Island Storage & Hub, a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility near the Henry Hub in Louisiana. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain expectations and projections regarding our future performance referenced in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward - looking statements involve matters that are not historical facts and because these statements involve anticipated events or conditions, forward-looking statements often include words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "indicate," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "would," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the expected revenues to be collected from Atlanta Gas Light customers in 2010-2011; including the underlying components , such as forecasted declining revenues, higher operating expenses and the sharing of cost savings from future acquisitions, driving the proposed higher base rates \, and the projected operational, customer and other benefits from the results of the "Customer First" five-year business plan and related initiatives; and future operating expenses related to future acquisitions.

Our expectations are not guarantees and are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data along with our operating plans. While we believe our expectations are reasonable in view of the currently available information, our expectations are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties, and there are several factors - many beyond our control - that could cause results to differ significantly from our expectations.

Such events, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in price, supply and demand for natural gas and related products; the impact of changes in state and federal legislation and regulation including changes related to climate change; actions taken by government agencies on rates and other matters; utility and energy industry consolidation; the impact on cost and timeliness of construction projects by government and other approvals, development project delays, adequacy of supply of diversified vendors, and unexpected change in project costs, including the cost of funds to finance these projects; direct or indirect effects on our business, financial condition or liquidity resulting from a change in our credit ratings or the credit ratings of our counterparties or competitors; interest rate fluctuations; financial market conditions, including recent disruptions in the capital markets and lending environment and the current economic downturn; the impact of natural disasters such as hurricanes on the supply and price of natural gas; acts of war or terrorism; and other factors which are described in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we incorporate by reference in this press release. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements to reflect subsequent changes.

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America's Anemic '13 Percent Economy': Experts Warn U.S. Risks Long-Term Growth by Focusing on New Energy at Expense of More Energy Efficiency

2010-04-28T14:50:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- What will play the biggest role in future U.S. economic growth: the new energy that we find ... or the energy that we avoid using?

Even as Congress and the news media focus almost completely on the question of where America will find new sources of traditional and emerging energy sources, the little-understood fact is that new energy sources are likely to play a much smaller role in the current U.S. economic recovery and future growth than are new advances in energy efficiency, according to leading experts. Even worse, the overwhelming emphasis today on new energy is "crowding out" meaningful national dialogue and progress on achieving greater energy efficiency in an economy that is struggling today at a level of just 13 percent efficiency in terms of energy use, meaning that 87% of the energy we use is wasted.

In a phone-based news conference today - John A. "Skip" Laitner, director, Economic and Social Analysis, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and Robert U. Ayres, emeritus professor, Economics and Political Science and Technology Management, European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), and co-author of "Crossing the Energy Divide: Moving from Fossil Fuel Dependence to a Clean-Energy Future" (2010) - summarized the thinking at a symposium session held Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary year of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). See http://www.aceee.org/conf/30th/april26.htm for more information.

Among the key facts highlighted during the symposium:

-- America's economy has tripled in size since 1970 and three-quarters of
the energy needed to fuel that growth came from efficiency advances -
not net new energy. Going forward, the current economic recovery and
future economic growth are likely to be even more dependent on new
energy efficiency advances than was the period of 1970-date.
-- Americans may have an overly optimistic impression of how energy
efficient the United States is. Despite the enormous strides achieved
in the last four decades, the U.S. economy remains only about 13
percent energy efficient. That still unacceptably high level of
inefficiency either will be allowed to remain in place and therefore
leave the U.S. mired in lackluster economic activity ... or it will be
tackled head-on, leading to new efficiency advances and unleashing
robust future economic growth in the U.S. For example, Japan and
several European countries are about 20% efficient, a factor of 1.5
higher than the U.S.
-- How big might the next round of potential energy efficiency be? If we
invested in more energy productive technologies, energy efficiency
investments can provide up to one-half of the needed greenhouses gas
emissions reductions most scientists say are needed between now and
the year 2050. And that gain in energy efficiency would not only mean
reduced greenhouse gas emissions, it would result in lower energy bill
for consumers.

ACEEE's Laitner said: "The dirty little secret today is that most economic assessments of the current climate change policies either ignore or greatly understate the potential advances in energy efficiency, even though it is clearly the largest and most cost-effective form of greenhouse gas mitigation. There is no mistaking the fact the cheapest, least polluting and most economically productive energy is the energy that never gets used. Cost-effective investment that can reduce the amount of energy necessary to support a dollar of economic activity is the single most important driver of economic productivity within the United States and around the world. And this makes sense once we stop paying attention to outdated economic policy models and think about what is it that actually powers our economy. Is it expensive and conventional energy resources, or the increased use of more energy productive technologies? The evidence suggests that it is the latter. We ignore that at our considerable peril."

Ayres said: "The greatest barrier of all to more energy efficiency is the mentality of the growth imperative: the deep-seated conviction that growth assures survival in the competitive global race. The focus is on growth, with profits secondary. But we have to ask: The race is to where? Growth that consumes limited resources is itself unsustainable. A new paradigm is urgently needed. The new paradigm must focus on the cost-effective re-use, renovation, remanufacturing and recycling. The energy firms of the future will need to sell efficiency, and energy security, not fuel."

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Georgia Power's Green Energy Program Redesigned to Include More Solar Power

2010-04-28T05:33:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power received approval April 20 from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to modify its Green Energy program, giving customers more solar options.

At the request of PSC Commission Chair Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, the program has been redesigned to include the following:

Premium Green Energy - This option will now contain 50 percent solar energy at a cost of $5 per 100-kilowatt-hour (kWh) block. The option previously cost $4.50 per 100 kWh block and contained 10 percent solar energy.

Under the revised program, the Standard Green Energy, Large Volume Purchase and Special Events Purchase options remain unchanged.

In addition to these changes, the PSC also approved Georgia Power raising the solar capacity cap under its Renewable Non Renewable (RNR) tariff from 1.5 megawatts (MW) to 2.5 MW. The company will now purchase solar energy from customers through this tariff at a new price of 17 cents per kWh.

Georgia Power and the Commission worked together to develop a new mechanism that will automatically raise the solar capacity cap as participation in the Green Energy program grows. Under this mechanism, for every 219 blocks of Premium Green Energy that are purchased by customers, Georgia Power will purchase an additional 100 kW of solar energy through the RNR tariff.

"With the latest changes in our Green Energy program we hope to make solar energy more attractive to our customers," said Angela Strickland, Georgia Power's director of Energy Efficiency and Conservation. "The new mechanism we've developed will ensure that we're keeping pace with customer demand for solar in a cost-effective manner."

Electricity generated for the Green Energy program helps grow the renewable resource base in Georgia and the Southeast and expand the market for renewable energy credits (RECs). RECs are created when a renewable energy facility generates electricity or uses renewable fuel. Customers who purchase RECs through the Green Energy program are paying for the benefit of displacing other non-renewable sources from the electric grid.

Changes to Georgia Power's redesigned Green Energy program and RNR tariff will go into effect June 1, 2010.

For more information or to sign up for Green Energy, visit www.georgiapower.com/green.

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Energy Efficiency in Southeast to Get Huge Boost, Thanks to $20 Million U.S. DOE Award to SEEA Regional Alliance

2010-04-27T11:45:00.001-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Energy Efficiency in the Southeastern United States will get a huge boost when the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) rolls out its program of innovative, large-scale building retrofits for homeowners and businesses under its recently-announced $20 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative.

The regional organization will partner with nearly a dozen communities of varying sizes and characteristics, each of which will use a different approach to increase the energy efficiency of small and large residential, commercial and public buildings. This diversity will allow SEEA to test and evaluate a variety of models in both smaller, more rural and larger, more metropolitan areas and make adjustments as needed. Another key aspect of the program, which will use a combined formula allocation and a pay-for-performance strategy to fund specific projects, will be the availability of affordable, accessible financing programs.

"This large infusion of funding from DOE into the Southeast provides an unprecedented opportunity to promote energy efficiency and innovation while also creating jobs in this tough economy," said SEEA Executive Director Ben Taube. "SEEA is looking forward to working with our various community partners across the region as we go forward and transform the market."

The Southeast Community Retrofit Ramp-up Consortium will partner with cities in eight southeastern states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia - and with the U.S. Virgin Islands to dramatically increase the effectiveness of building retrofits across the region. SEEA's community partners include Huntsville, Ala., Celebration, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Decatur, Ga.; New Orleans, La.; Carrboro, N.C.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Nashville, Tenn., Woodbury, Tenn.; Albemarle County, Va.; Charlottesville, Va.; and Hampton Roads Planning District, Va.

"News of the DOE award comes at a great time for us, as Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle have worked hard to help support our community-based local energy alliance program (LEAP), an energy efficiency program for residents and businesses," said Charlottesville Mayor David Norris. "We look forward to the economic stimulus and job creation energy efficiency can bring our community - as well as dollar savings for the utility bill payer."

"We are delighted to be a part of the SEEA coalition. Energy efficiency and water conservation are priorities for the City of Atlanta," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "This program will allow us to meaningfully deliver programs to help our residents and business owners reduce their energy and water use."

SEEA's community partners have been planning and organizing for this opportunity since February 2009, when SEEA challenged cities to make extraordinary commitments to energy efficiency programming and infrastructure with a $500,000 competitive solicitation and award. Fifteen communities from six states tendered applications, based on hundreds of hours of partnership-building, meetings, planning, research and negotiations with utilities and city councils.

"SEEA is pleased to be the organizer of the consortium of communities and an active leader in making the Southeast more energy efficient," said SEEA Board Chair Kate Offringa, president and CEO of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). "This initiative will help the region overcome some of the barriers that have prevented energy efficiency from really taking hold in the Southeast - namely lack of financing and the need for a program structure that addresses the uniqueness of the region."

SEEA intends to start this program in early June. More information on the SEEA program can be found at http://www.seealliance.org/programs/cities.php.

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Georgia Power Leads the Nation in ENERGY STAR(R) Campaign

2010-04-23T07:20:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire- -- For the second consecutive year, Georgia Power has been recognized as the nation's top pledge leader for driving energy efficiency awareness under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" campaign, which encourages consumers to take small steps that make a big difference to save energy and help the environment. This year, Georgia Power collected 145,751 pledges from consumers through its local offices, energy efficiency fairs and community outreach events.

"Our customers are seeing the light! They recognize that saving money and protecting the environment is as easy as using ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or setting their thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer," said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett. "We continue to talk with our customers about energy efficiency and how it can make a difference in their homes, lives and communities. We are honored to be recognized by EPA for our efforts to promote energy efficiency and help the environment."

Georgia Power also recently earned the 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE).

An ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, Georgia Power has exchanged over 450,000 CFLs with customers for pledges since participating in its first EPA annual pledge campaign in 2006. EPA's Web site, www.energystar.gov, shows that this year alone, Georgia Power's "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" campaign has resulted in a savings of over $21 million, or 164,805,122 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or 265,735,377 pounds of greenhouse gases.

"EPA's 'Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR' pledge campaign has given us the opportunity to engage customers one-on-one and teach them ways to save energy and money," said Angela Strickland, Georgia Power's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Director. "Our customers want solutions and information on how they can lower their energy costs and energy consumption."

Georgia Power encourages its customers to practice energy efficiency year-round. Take the "Change the World" pledge online at http://www.georgiapower.com/energystar/home.asp.

For additional energy-saving tips, visit our Web site at www.georgiapower.com/save. To learn more about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.

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Sugarcane Ethanol Offers Clean, Affordable & Secure Alternative Energy

2010-04-12T09:38:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- As Earth Day approaches and Americans seek out environmentally friendly energy sources, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) today launched an expansive national awareness campaign to explain sugarcane ethanol's benefits. UNICA's education campaign will include a new website, SweeterAlternative.com, online, print and radio advertising, new research and a high-profile partnership with the Indy Racing League.

"We hope the Sweeter Alternative campaign will help Americans understand how sugarcane ethanol is a clean and affordable renewable fuel that could help them save money at the pump, cut U.S. dependence on Middle East oil and improve the environment," said UNICA's Chief Representative in North America, Joel Velasco.

Sugarcane ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from sugarcane, which is grown in the United States, Brazil and more than 100 countries. Like other forms of ethanol, it can be added to gasoline and used in all American vehicles at blends up to 10 percent ethanol. The Sweeter Alternative education campaign will highlight three key benefits of sugarcane ethanol:

-- Energy Security. Sugarcane ethanol is one more good option for
diversifying energy supplies and improving U.S. energy security, so
Americans are not reliant on any one source or country.
-- Economic. Americans could save about a dollar per fill-up off the
price of regular gasoline by expanding the use of sugarcane ethanol.
At an average price of $0.50 less per gallon than corn ethanol,
sugarcane ethanol is one of the least expensive renewable fuels
available.
-- Environmental. Sugarcane ethanol cuts greenhouse gases by at least 60
percent compared to gasoline - better than any other biofuel widely
produced today. The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed
sugarcane ethanol's superior environmental performance earlier this
year by designating it an "advanced renewable fuel." This important
category of biofuels will make up 21 billion gallons of America's fuel
supply by 2020, or about 15 percent of today's gasoline market.

Most sugarcane ethanol is currently produced in Brazil, a South American country with a democratically elected government and a long-standing trade relationship with the United States. Brazil has replaced more than half of its gasoline needs with sugarcane ethanol - making gasoline the alternative fuel in that country. Many observers point to Brazil's experience as a case study for other nations seeking to expand the use of renewable fuels.

"Unfortunately, Americans cannot fully benefit from this clean, less expensive alternative while Congress continues to maintain trade barriers against imported ethanol," Velasco continued.

The U.S. government currently imposes a $0.54-per-gallon tariff on ethanol from most foreign countries, making sugarcane ethanol practically unavailable in the United States. By contrast, imported oil enters America duty free. The 54-cent import tax on ethanol will expire at the end of this year.

Last week, Brazil took an important first step to build an open and global biofuels marketplace by eliminating its tariff on imported ethanol through the end of 2011. UNICA is asking the Brazilian government to make the tariff elimination permanent if Congress will do the same and drop the U.S. tax on imported ethanol.

"Consumers win when businesses have to compete in an open market, because competition produces higher quality products at lower costs. The same principle holds true for the renewable fuels market where competition will create a race to the future and generate better alternatives for consumers. Americans will benefit from having the sweeter alternative - sugarcane ethanol - available as an option at the pump," Velasco concluded.

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) is the leading trade association for the sugarcane industry in Brazil, representing nearly two-thirds of all sugarcane production and processing in the country. UNICA's priorities include serving as a source for credible information and analysis about the efficiency and sustainability of sugarcane products, particularly its biofuels. The association works to encourage the continuous advancement of sustainable practices throughout the sugarcane industry and to promote biofuels as a clean, reliable alternative to fossil fuels.

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IEER: French-Style Nuclear Reprocessing Will Not Solve U.S. Nuclear Waste Problems

2010-04-09T08:32:00.000-04:00

/PRNewswire/ -- Contrary to some prevailing opinion, reprocessing would not eliminate the need for a deep geologic disposal program to replace Yucca Mountain. It aggravates waste, proliferation, and cost problems. The volume of waste to be disposed of in deep geologic repository is increased about six times on a life-cycle basis in the French approach compared to the once-through no-reprocessing approach of the United States.

A new report by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER), a nonprofit scientific research group, shows that France uses less than 1 percent of the natural uranium resource, contrary to an impression among some policy makers. The report has several recommendations for President Obama's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future, which was created to address U.S. nuclear waste issues after the administration's cancellation of the Yucca Mountain program.

IEER President Dr. Arjun Makhijani, the author of the report: "In recent years, a 'French fever' has gripped the promoters of nuclear power in the United States. Praise of France's management of spent fuel by reprocessing, including its use of the extracted plutonium as fuel in its nuclear power reactors, is now routinely heard. But it is a fantasy on the scale of the 1950s "too cheap to meter" mythology about nuclear power to imagine that 90 or 95 percent of the "energy value" of U.S. spent fuel can be extracted by reprocessing."

Key IEER report findings include the following:

-- On a life-cycle basis, French-style reprocessing and recycle increases
the volume of waste that would have to disposed of in a geologic
repository. Reprocessing results in high-level radioactive waste and
large volumes of Greater than Class C waste, both of which must be
managed by deep geologic disposal. Their combined volume on a
life-cycle basis is estimated to be about six times more than the
no-reprocessing approach that is current U.S. policy, according to
Department of Energy estimates. Low-level waste volume and waste
transportation shipments are also estimated to increase several-fold.
-- France spends about two cents per kilowatt-hour more for electricity
generated from reprocessed plutonium compared to that generated from
fresh uranium fuel.
-- Attempting to combined reprocessing with breeder reactors to convert
uranium in U.S. spent fuel in plutonium will create intolerable costs
and risks. Reprocessing plus breeder reactors are much more expensive
than light water reactors today, which are themselves expensive. Such
a system is required to convert most of the uranium in spent fuel into
a reactor fuel. Even a single penny in excess generation cost per
kilowatt-hour in a breeder reactor-reprocessing system would lead to
an added $8 trillion in costs to convert nearly all of the uranium in
the 100,000 metric tons of U.S. spent into usable fuel. It would take
hundreds of years to accomplish the task and require separation of
tens of thousands of bombs equivalent of fissile material each year.
The proliferation risks will be far greater than today.
-- Adoption of French-style reprocessing program would not eliminate the
need for a deep geologic repository. Even complete fissioning of all
actinides - an unrealistic proposition - will leave behind large
amounts of very long-lived fission and activation products like
iodine-129, cesium-135, and chlorine-36 that will pose risks far into
the future -- much beyond the 24,100-year half-life of plutonium-239.
In fact, France needs a geologic repository and opposition to one has
been intense there. The French appear to dislike nuclear waste in
their backyards as much as people in the United States.
-- Proliferation risks are inherently part of the French (and any other)
approach to reprocessing. Even advanced reprocessing technologies will
not significantly reduce proliferation risks. For instance a study
authored by scientists from DOE laboratories, including Los Alamos and
Sandia, concluded that it would take only a few days or a few weeks
for proliferant country to make material for nuclear bombs once it had
reprocessing plants. It found that new technologies, including
electrometallurgical processing, resulted in "only a modest
improvement in reducing proliferation risk over existing PUREX
technologies and these modest improvements apply primarily for
non-state actors." The IEER report concluded that electrometallurgical
increases risks in other ways. For instance, it is far less difficult
to conceal a plant than the present PUREX technology.

Other key findings include the following:

-- Six decades of sodium cooled breeder reactor development has so far
resulted in failure. Historical experience indicates no learning curve
for the sodium cooled fast breeder reactor, which is the breeder
technology that has received the most development. In fact, the two
most recent large scale demonstration reactors, Superphénix in France
and Monju in Japan, have been failures. Superphénix had a cumulative
capacity factor of less than 8 percent before it was shut. Monju has
been closed for almost 15 years, following a sodium fire, and has not
generated a significant amount of electricity. Sodium cooled breeder
reactors are not commercial today despite global expenditures on the
order of $100 billion over six decades. They face a host of safety,
proliferation and cost hurdles to overcome, some arising from the fact
that they use liquid sodium for cooling. They are unlikely to be
commercial in the near future. For instance, Japan's estimated date
for commercialization of the sodium cooled fast breeder is 2050.
-- Storage of liquid high-level wastes creates some risk of catastrophic
releases of radioactivity. For instance, the Norwegian Radiation
Protection Authority has estimated that a severe accident at the
liquid waste storage facility in Sellafield, Britain, could result in
cesium-137 contamination between 10 percent and 5,000 percent of that
created in Norway by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident,
which is the worst commercial accident to date, by far. A catastrophic
release of radioactivity from a military high-level waste tank
occurred in the Soviet Union in 1957.
-- Using more than 1 percent of the uranium resource in a light water
reactor system is technically impossible even with reprocessing and
re-enrichment. In light water reactor systems, almost all the uranium
resource winds up as depleted uranium or in spent fuel. Even with
repeated reprocessing and re-enrichment, use of the natural uranium
resource cannot be increased to more than 1 percent in such a system.
A corollary is that the use of 90 to 95 percent of the uranium
resource or of the material in the spent fuel is impossible in a light
water reactor system even with reprocessing.

These are physical constraints that go with the system and also apply to France's system.

The IEER report also sets out a number of recommendations for the Blue Ribbon Commission on

America's Nuclear Future appointed by Energy Secretary Steven Chu:

-- Spent fuel from existing reactors should be slated for direct geologic
disposal without reprocessing of any kind; a suitable path for a
scientifically sound program should be set forth.
-- In the interim, spent fuel should be stored on site as safely as
possible - in low density configurations while in pools and in
hardened storage when moved to dry casks.
-- Breeder reactors and reprocessing are not commercial after six decades
of development of sodium cooled breeder reactors, and enormous
expenditures. Given the long time frame for commercialization
estimated even by some promoters, the proliferation risks, and efforts
already made, it does not appear to be a good investment to spend more
R&D money in that direction. Rather energy supply R&D resources should
be focused on development and deployment of renewable energy
technologies and energy efficiency.
-- The Commission should request the French company AREVA and/or the
French government to supply it with data on the present use of the
natural uranium resource purchased for French nuclear reactors,
including, specifically, the increases in fission fraction that have
actually been achieved by reprocessing and recycling.
-- The Commission should also request official data on Greater than Class
C waste equivalent expected to be generated on a life-cycle basis in
France, and the total volumes and heat generation of packaged waste
expected to be disposed of in a deep geologic repository, including
estimates of decommissioning waste.
-- The Commission should investigate the public support or lack thereof
for repository programs in France and Britain, the countries with the
longest history of commercial spent fuel reprocessing.
-- The Commission should make the same requests regarding the British
reprocessing program.
-- Official analyses of the mechanisms, probability, and consequences of
large accidental releases of radioactivity to the atmosphere from
liquid high-level waste storage in tanks should be requested from the
French and British governments.

ABOUT IEER

On March 24, 2010, IEER held a news conference to release documents acquired under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) showing that the outgoing Bush Administration inked 11th-hour agreements with more than a dozen utilities involving 21 proposed nuclear reactors. As IEER noted, between the output of existing commercial nuclear reactors and the 21 proposed nuclear reactors covered by the agreements quietly signed by the outgoing Bush Administration, the U.S. already has agreed to store enough spent (used) reactor fuel to fill the equivalent of not one, but two, Yucca Mountain high-level radioactive waste repositories. For more information on the March 24th news event, go to http://216.250.243.12/ieer/032410.cfm.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division Issues Final Permits for Plant Washington

2010-04-09T08:19:00.000-04:00

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Power4Georgians LLC today announced the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued final permits for the operation of Plant Washington, an 850 Megawatt coal-fired energy facility in Washington County, Georgia.

“These permits demonstrate that the process works”

The permits issued by EPD today to Power4Georgians, LLC, include Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for air quality; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for water discharge; a groundwater withdrawal permit; a surface water withdrawal permit; and a notice of site suitability for the solid waste handling facility.

The permits are the culmination of more than two years of work by Power4Georgians’ development team not only to meet but to exceed Georgia EPD’s rigorous air and water quality standards. Although the air and water standards in Plant Washington’s draft permits, issued by EPD in August 2009, represented standards that are acceptable under the strictest guidelines of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Power4Georgians continued to work to reduce emissions levels further while also developing an unprecedented water management strategy.

“We made significant and positive changes in our application to make our permits among the very best, if not the best, in the country,” said Dean Alford, spokesman for Power4Georgians. “We responded to suggestions raised with regard to air and water and now have exceptional standards that far exceed the strictest federal regulations for protection of human health and the environment.”

Through careful review of more than two-and-a-half years of testing data, as well as an evaluation of the technology and coal types to be used, Power4Georgians was able to devise a strategy that produced significant reductions of the emissions levels contained in the draft permit. As a result, Plant Washington’s overall emissions profile, based upon the final permit, will be among the lowest that has ever been proposed for a coal-fired power plant in the United States.

For example, preliminary evaluations conducted in the fall of 2007 – before the initial permit application was filed with EPD in January 2008 – placed the maximum annual emission of mercury at approximately 120 pounds; that level was reduced to approximately 105 pounds per year in the draft permit. Depending on the blend of fuel used, Georgia EPD’s final permit will limit Plant Washington’s mercury emissions to between 62.2 and 55.6 pounds annually – roughly half the original mercury emissions levels.

In addition, developers were able to devise an unprecedented water management strategy to conserve and reuse water, reduce water withdrawal from the environment and allow zero discharge of stormwater from the plant site.

To accomplish these water management standards, what had been stormwater runoff retention ponds in the draft permit were converted to stormwater collection and storage ponds. Collected stormwater will be reused at the plant, reducing the use of river water and groundwater. In addition, by using the stormwater as makeup water for the plant, there will be zero discharge of process or contact water to either the Ogeechee or Oconee river basins.

“These permits demonstrate that the process works,” Alford said. “In the months since we received the draft permits, we listened closely to Georgia citizens and the EPD and conducted the engineering work to ensure a much more stringent level of operational and environmental standards. I am pleased to report that we achieved every objective.”

A key component to Power4Georgians’ success in obtaining final permits for Plant Washington from the EPD was its development team. These organizations, each with their own unique expertise, included: Allied Energy Services, BLACKACRE, Cookerly Public Relations, Energy Consulting Group, Fluor Corp., King & Spalding law firm and MACTEC Engineering.

When construction begins, the plant is expected to take approximately four years to build and will create up to 1,600 professional construction and skilled trade jobs. When complete, Plant Washington is expected to create between 120 and 130 new jobs onsite, as well as an additional 200 to 300 new secondary jobs in supporting businesses and industries. The plant will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 500,000 to 700,000 Georgia homes.

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UPS Deploys 200 Hybrid Electric Vehicles

2010-04-07T09:50:00.000-04:00

(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced its fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles had expanded with the deployment of 200 next-generation hybrid electric delivery trucks in eight U.S. cities.

“We’re proud of this large HEV deployment to major cities in the United States”

The 200 new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) join roughly 20,000 low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles already in use and have been deployed in Austin, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Long Island, Minneapolis and Louisville. Before this latest deployment, UPS was operating 50 hybrid electrics in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix.

“We’re proud of this large HEV deployment to major cities in the United States,” said Bob Stoffel, UPS senior vice president of supply chain, strategy, engineering and sustainability. “This technology, where properly used, can yield a 35 percent fuel savings, the equivalent of 100 conventional UPS delivery vehicles.”

The 200 new HEV delivery trucks are expected to reduce fuel consumption by roughly 176,000 gallons over the course of a year compared to an equivalent number of traditional diesel trucks. The hybrids also should reduce by 1,786 metric tons the amount of CO2 gases released annually into the atmosphere.

The new hybrid power system utilizes a conventional diesel engine combined with a battery pack, saving fuel and reducing pollution-causing emissions. The small diesel is used to recharge the battery pack and to add power when necessary.

The HEVs also use regenerative braking. The energy generated from applying the brakes is captured and returned to the battery as electricity. The combination of clean diesel power and electric power, supplemented by regenerative braking, allows dramatic improvements in fuel savings and emissions reductions.

The HEV fleet features two different size vehicles from Workhorse Custom Chassis and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and a hybrid power system from Eaton Corporation. The external truck bodies are identical to UPS’s other signature brown trucks, although they feature additional labeling identifying them as hybrid electrics. The trucks use lithium ion batteries, which offer a faster re-charging capability and last longer than previous generation HEV batteries. Additionally, these vehicles are much quieter than conventional UPS trucks and feature keyless entry.

The UPS alternative fuel fleet is a diverse one with multiple technologies, including compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, electricity and hydraulic hybrid technology. Since 2000, the alternative fuel fleet has traveled more than 165 million miles.

UPS was the first package delivery company to introduce a hybrid electric vehicle into daily operation with a research program in early 1998. In 2001, the company deployed the industry's first hybrid electric delivery truck into regular service in Huntsville, Ala., where the truck worked a 31-mile route with about 160 pickups and deliveries each day. UPS then introduced its second generation HEV in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 2004, while at the same time testing its first hydrogen fuel cell delivery truck in regular service.

While continuing to develop its alternative fuel fleet – UPS has invested more than $15 million in the effort – the company also has purchased and is operating more than 20,000 low emission conventional vehicles. These vehicles have regular gas- and diesel-powered engines but employ the very latest technology and manufacturing techniques to reduce emissions as much as possible.

“The wide variety of technologies in our green fleet is indicative of UPS’s ‘rolling laboratory’ philosophy to energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption,” Stoffel said. “Our goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but there is no silver bullet technology to achieve this. This dependence will rely on a multi-modal approach.”

UPS (NYSE:UPS) pursues a wide range of socially responsible and sustainable business practices designed to reduce its impact on the environment and improve communities around the world. UPS operates one of the largest fleets of alternative fuel vehicles in its industry with more than 2,000 vehicles and continues to invest in alternative fuel technologies and operational efficiencies to reduce its carbon footprint. UPS is included in the Dow Jones and FTSE4Good Sustainability Indexes, which evaluate corporations based on economic, environmental and social criteria. Learn more about UPS’s responsible business practices at www.ups.com/responsibility.

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