/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has crews on standby statewide, as well as mutual-assistance crews from around the country en-route, to mobilize and restore power outages caused by the anticipated winter storm.
The company urges its customers to have their emergency plans in place as there may be lengthy delays in power restoration if severe weather coats ice on roads, tree limbs and power lines.
To learn more about how ice and snow can interrupt power, visit our website to watch an interactive video. Major outage information will be available on Twitter, @georgiapower.
Here are some safety tips for customers to follow when severe weather hits:
* Anyone with a life-threatening medical emergency should dial 9-1-1.
* Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to local public safety authorities and stay out of the immediate area.
* Avoid debris on the ground that may conceal downed power lines and make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. Do not attempt to make repairs to Georgia Power's electrical system or pull limbs off lines.
* Watch out for falling trees, tree limbs and power lines.
* Steer clear of Georgia Power crew work areas. Equipment and energized lines may be in the area that could create a safety hazard.
* When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all traffic signs and directions around work areas.
* When leaving your home and power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution to avoid a power surge once the power is restored.
* Be patient. When major outages occur, Georgia Power crews must first restore power to transmission lines and distribution circuits before working on distribution lines that feed directly to homes and businesses. However, be assured that Georgia Power crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to customers.
* Customers are reminded to be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use fire screens to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.
* Customers should exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.
If the weather interrupts electrical service, customers are urged to report outages by visiting our website, www.georgiapower.com or by calling the Customer Care Center at 1-888-891-0938. This line is answered by an automated system designed to handle power outage calls quicker than speaking to a person; however, customers may also talk directly with a customer service representative.
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Sunday, January 9, 2011
Georgia Power Urges Customers to Prepare for Winter Storms
Friday, February 5, 2010
Gov. Perdue Announces 2009 DNR Forestry for Wildlife Partners
Gov. Sonny Perdue recognized two corporate forest landowners in Georgia for their stewardship in land management and practices benefiting the state’s wildlife.
Plum Creek and Georgia Power were honored Wednesday, Feb. 3, for participating in the 2009 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
“Stewardship of Georgia's natural resources is vitally important to our state's future,” Perdue said. “Georgia Power and Plum Creek serve as model corporate citizens with their participation in the Forestry for Wildlife Partnership.”
The companies have helped improve a total of 937,700 acres for wildlife. The Wildlife Resources Division recognized the two as Forestry for Wildlife Partners for integrating wildlife conservation practices into their forest management programs. Some of the practices included:
Preparing wildlife conservation plans that detail natural resources inventories and outline management strategies that combine forest and wildlife aspects.
Providing internal training opportunities for employees on how to blend forestland management with wildlife-friendly practices for multiple natural resource benefits.
Incorporating wildlife management techniques into current land-use planning and timber management practices.
Providing valuable data for Wildlife Resources research projects.
Providing public recreational opportunities on corporate forestlands.
Participating in partnerships with conservation organizations through programs such as Partners in Flight, the Longleaf Alliance, the state Breeding Bird Atlas, and the Georgia Amphibians and Reptiles Atlas.
Managing riparian forests for wildlife use and water quality protection.
Habitat is the key to wildlife abundance. Georgia has more than 24 million acres of forestland. Of that land base, 93 percent is privately owned. Corporate forest landowners manage 18 percent.
Georgia Power helped develop the Forestry for Wildlife Partnership in the 1990s and Plum Creek joined in 2004. Wildlife Resources Division Director Dan Forster said the program has proved “a catalyst that served to engage the wildlife community with the forestry industry in Georgia,” registering positive impacts on varied initiatives such as Georgia’s Wildlife Action plan and the annual nongame fundraiser Weekend for Wildlife.
“It’s especially rewarding to see these two pioneering partners still engaged in this flagship partnership,” Forster said of Plum Creek and Georgia Power.
Conservation efforts benefit from Forestry for Wildlife through management of endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitats, managing and monitoring bald eagle and swallow-tailed kite nesting, managing isolated wetlands critical to protected reptiles and amphibians like the gopher frog, managing rare remnant Coosa Valley Prairie and Black Belt Prairie habitats containing endangered plants, and providing numerous public hunting opportunities.
All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the American Forest and Paper Association’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a voluntary approach within the forest industry to maintain high environmental standards on lands managed by corporate landowners.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Americas Waste to Energy, Corp. Announces Project Site in Toombs County, Georgia & Partnership with Freedom Renewable Energy Corp.
Americas Waste to Energy, Corp. Announces Project Site in Toombs County, Georgia & Partnership with Freedom Renewable Energy Corp. for Sites Throughout United States
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Americas Waste to Energy, Corp. (AW2E) announced yesterday that it will be deploying the first Biosphere Gasification System in Georgia at a project site in Toombs County. The agreement, made with the Toombs County Board of Commissioners, calls for a two phase construction plan that will include up to three Biosphere Gasification Systems. An Energy Purchase Agreement with Georgia Power Company was also executed in conjunction with this project which states that Georgia Power Company will purchase the 24 megawatts of renewable energy produced onsite. The Toombs County Project represents the creation of 30 new green collar jobs and approximately $34 million in new capital investment to the State of Georgia.
“This agreement marks the first step in a revolutionary approach for ‘waste to power’ production in Georgia and the world,” says Paul Hester, CEO of AW2E. “We are a privately funded corporation that is presenting a zero waste – zero cost solution to communities in Georgia and beyond.”
AW2E is a subsidiary of Freedom Renewable Energy Corp (FREC) with full marketing and deployment rights to the Biosphere Gasification System throughout the United States. FREC enjoys agreements with system manufacturer Global Environmental Energy Corporation (GEECF) for the sales and distribution of the Biosphere Gasification System and just finalized a partnership agreement with AW2E and their sister organization, Global Waste to Energy, Corp. (GW2E).
“An order and a deposit have been made on the first Biosphere Gasification System for the Toombs Project and we currently have private funding for 50 systems in Georgia alone,” states Ms. Noreen Griffin, CEO of FREC. “AW2E has identified at least 19 sites in Georgia that would represent the deployment of 73 Biospheres, create at least 730 new green collar jobs and generate approximately $803 million in new capital and 584 megawatts of renewable energy. In any type of economy, that is a tremendous investment! We are currently finalizing our nationwide and global marketing and deployment strategy.”
Via agreements with GEECF, FREC intends to market and deploy Biosphere Gasification Systems in communities around the world through its subsidiaries AW2E and GW2E.
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Monday, March 9, 2009
Georgia Power Asks Residents To Be Alert for Fraud Artists
/PRNewswire/ -- Several metro Atlanta residents have recently been victimized by a female imposter who claims to be a Georgia Power employee.
The individual contacts Georgia Power customers by phone, informing victims that their electric bill is past due and that an urgent credit card payment is needed to avoid loss of service within 24 hours.
If the scam artist receives credit card numbers from the Georgia Power customer, she then wires money from their credit card account to different locations or uses the number to make fraudulent purchases.
At least five to six area residents have been victimized since early March. The method of this scam is very similar to a scheme used in 2006 and may involve the same individuals.
Georgia Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking personal information. When a customer is past due on a bill, a recorded message is sent to the customer's home phone encouraging them to contact Georgia Power to discuss the status of their account.
Field-service representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence. All Georgia Power company representatives carry badges with picture identification, their name and the company's name and logo. To view official company uniforms go to www.georgiapower.com.
Georgia Power's Corporate Security department is working with local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by this scheme, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to contact Georgia Power's Corporate Security department at 404-506-4116.
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Friday, January 23, 2009
Gov. Perdue Announces Forestry for Wildlife Partners
Gov. Sonny Perdue recognized two corporate forest landowners in Georgia this week for their stewardship in land management and practices benefiting the state’s wildlife.
Plum Creek and Georgia Power received awards Wednesday, Jan. 21, for participating in the 2008 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
“This is an excellent example of a public-private partnership in the conservation of Georgia’s precious natural resources,” Perdue said. “I commend both Georgia Power and Plum Creek for their outstanding stewardship that will benefit generations to come.”
The companies have helped improve a total of 937,700 acres for wildlife. Wildlife Resources recognized the two as Forestry for Wildlife Partners for integrating wildlife conservation practices into their forest management programs. Some of the practices included:
· Preparing wildlife conservation plans that detail natural resources inventories and outline management strategies that combine forest and wildlife aspects.
· Providing internal training opportunities for employees on how to blend forestland management with wildlife-friendly practices for multiple natural resource benefits.
· Incorporating wildlife management techniques into current land-use planning and timber management practices.
· Providing valuable data for Wildlife Resources research projects.
· Providing public recreational opportunities on corporate forestlands.
· Participating in partnerships with conservation organizations through programs such as Partners in Flight, the Longleaf Alliance, the state Breeding Bird Atlas, and the Georgia Amphibians and Reptiles Atlas.
· Managing riparian forests for wildlife use and water quality protection.
Habitat is the key to wildlife abundance. Georgia has more than 24 million acres of forestland. Of that land base, 93 percent is privately owned. Corporate forest landowners manage 18 percent.
Wildlife Resources Division Director Dan Forster said Plum Creek and Georgia Power “deserve tremendous credit for their recognition of the broad conservation value in their land holdings and operations, and their dedication for improving those values through our Forestry Wildlife Partnership program.”
Conservation efforts benefit from Forestry for Wildlife through management of endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitats, managing and monitoring bald eagle and swallow-tailed kite nesting, managing isolated wetlands critical to protected reptiles and amphibians like the gopher frog, managing rare remnant Coosa Valley Prairie and Black Belt Prairie habitats containing endangered plants, and providing numerous public hunting opportunities.
All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the American Forest and Paper Association’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a voluntary approach within the forest industry to maintain high environmental standards on lands managed by corporate landowners.
Call (770) 761-1697 or go to www.georgiawildlife.com for more information about Forestry for Wildlife or other private lands initiatives.
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Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Georgia Power's Refrigerator Art Wins National Contest, Kicks off Refrigerator Recycling Campaign
GFP Note: Be sure to visit http://www.recyclemyoldfridge.com/artfridges.aspx to view Georgia Power's winning entry. There are some great fridges to see at the site.
PRNewswire/ -- What do art and refrigerators have in common? In many households, the refrigerator is a place for grade school artwork, but usually not the stuff that wins national acclaim. However, in an effort to bring attention to energy conservation, Georgia Power took its vision of decorating a recycled refrigerator to a new level, creating artwork that got noticed.
Displayed August 25 to September 2 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., during the Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR(R) The Art of Recycling exhibition, Georgia Power won "Judges Choice" in a nationwide call for old refrigerator units that have been recycled and converted to very creative works. Georgia Power Product Manager Vicki Nichols accepted the top award on behalf of the company at a ceremony September 2 in Washington, D.C.
As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign, Georgia Power's "slot machine fridge" was selected among artwork submitted by students, institutions, utility companies, private organizations, and individual artists across the country.
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Monday, September 1, 2008
Andersonville National Historic Site, Rolling Thunder Chapters from 11 States, Georgia Southwestern State University to Honor Nation's POWs/MIAs, Sept
PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rolling Thunder's 2008 Ride Home -- a multi-day annual activity held in conjunction with the National Park Service's Andersonville National Historic Site and Georgia Southwestern State University to recognize and honor the nation's Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA) -- will be held in Andersonville and Americus, Ga., Sept. 17-20, 2008.
"The 2008 Ride Home, which is supported this year by Rolling Thunder(R) chapters from 11 states, is part of a series of events conducted jointly with the National Park Service in Andersonville to honor those former POWs from all wars who have returned home and remember those who are still listed as MIA," said Jim Moyer, Ride Home board chairman.
According to Moyer, more than 1,000 Rolling Thunder members are expected to gather in Andersonville and Americus to honor an estimated 100 former POWs scheduled to attend this year's program of events as guests of Rolling Thunder.
While Friday, Sept. 19, is the official National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the four days of recognition activities begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a convocation sponsored by the National Park Service and hosted by Georgia Southwestern State University at the Student Success Center in Americus.
The guest speaker will be Joseph Hudson of Alamogordo, N.M. He was a 23-year-old U.S. Army specialist with the 507th Maintenance Group, Fort Bliss, Tex., who was shot three times, captured and held by Saddam Hussein's Iraqi Army from March 23, 2003 until April 13, 2003.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Sept. 20, the Park Service will host Bataan Death March survivor Colonel Glenn Frazier at the National Prisoner of War Museum at the Andersonville National Historic Site. Frazier, who was an underage U.S. Army volunteer from Fort Deposit, Ala., in 1941, will be autographing his book, "Hell's Guest," which is his account of three harrowing years as a prisoner of war.
On Friday, Sept. 19, the official National POW/MIA Recognition Day, Rolling Thunder's formal activities will begin at 10 a.m. with a tribute service, "Keeping the Promise, We Will Not Forget" at the First Baptist Church in Americus.
Scheduled speakers include: U.S. Air Force Major General Albert G. (Jerry) Rodgers whose final active duty assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley, AFB, Va.; U.S. Navy Captain Ronald Harrell, Commander of the FFG (Fast Frigate) Class Squadron 14 at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.; Stephen E. Thompson, Family and Veteran Liaison for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Honolulu, Hawaii; and, Dr./Rev. Chuck Gass, the staff chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla.
A Rolling Thunder escort to the tribute service for the former POWs is scheduled to depart for the Baptist church from the Wal-Mart parking lot in Americus at 9 a.m.
At 1 p.m. that afternoon the National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville will unveil a commemorative plaque honoring POWs from the U.S. Army's 42nd "Rainbow" Division.
Formed in August 1917, the "Rainbow" nickname was given to the division after Colonel Douglas MacArthur, the new division's Chief of Staff (and ultimately its commander), remarked that "the 42nd Division stretches like a Rainbow from one end of America to the other" because it was comprised of National Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia.
The division, which saw service in both World Wars, was deactivated in 1946; however it returned in 1947 as a National Guard Division for New York, the state of its birth. Currently headquartered at the Glenmore Armory in Troy, N.Y., the division includes Army National Guard units from 14 states: Connecticut, Main, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.
Activities on Friday will continue at 4:30 p.m. with Rolling Thunder's annual tribute dinner followed by a candlelight remembrance ceremony scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Both activities will be at the Windsor Hotel in Americus.
The Missing Man Table, which honors the nation's POW/MIAs, will be the focal point of the evening. The single round table with six empty place settings symbolize Americans from each of the five services -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard -- and civilians who cannot attend and will be participating in the evening's activities in spirit only.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Rolling Thunder's Annual POW Recognition will begin at 10 a.m. at the Rostrum at Andersonville National Cemetery. The ceremony honors POWs who have returned home from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf wars.
A Rolling Thunder Heroes Escort Ride is scheduled to depart for the Andersonville National Historic Site from the Wal-Mart parking lot in Americus at 9 a.m.
The 1-14th Aviation Regiment from Fort Rucker, Ala., will open the 10 a.m. ceremony with a helicopter flyover of an AH-64D Apache Longbow and an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.
A Roll Call of former POWs attending the ceremony will precede a special presentation to each.
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Friday, August 22, 2008
Georgia Power Seeks Approval for Coal Plant Conversion to Biomass
PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval to convert coal-fueled Plant Mitchell to renewable wood biomass.
Upon conversion, Plant Mitchell - near Albany - would be capable of producing 96 megawatts of renewable energy - or enough electricity to power 60,000 homes. The plant would have lower emissions, and would be one of the largest wood biomass plants in the United States. It would also have lower fuel and operating costs when compared to continued operation using coal, thereby making the plant more cost-effective for customers.
Surplus wood fuel for Plant Mitchell would come from suppliers operating within an approximately 100-mile radius of the plant.
"Georgia Power is taking an important step toward continued diversification of its fuel sources and making renewable energy more affordable for customers," said Mike Garrett, Georgia Power president and CEO. "By converting Plant Mitchell to biomass, we hope to not only help grow the renewable resource base in Georgia but also to expand the market for renewable energy credits, which ultimately will foster additional renewable energy development."
Renewable energy credits are created when a renewable energy facility generates electricity or uses renewable fuel. The PSC is expected to rule on the proposal to convert Plant Mitchell to biomass by spring of 2009. Retrofit construction would begin by spring of 2011 and the biomass plant would likely begin operations in June 2012.
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Friday, August 1, 2008
Georgia Power Files Diverse Energy Plan
PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval of its updated integrated resource plan, including its proposal to build two additional nuclear generating units at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant.
In an application filed with the PSC, the company said the nuclear units are expected to save customers between $2 billion and $6.5 billion over their operational life, when compared with similarly sized coal-fueled units over the same period, and $1 billion to $6.5 billion when compared with similarly sized natural gas fueled generators. The PSC is expected to rule on the proposal in March 2009.
Georgia Power also informed the PSC that it is in the final stages of evaluating the conversion of an older coal-fueled power plant, located near Albany, to burn renewable biomass wood. If approved, this plant would be one of the largest wood biomass plants in the U.S. Georgia Power expects to complete this analysis in late August.
"While we will continue to increase our emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, we must also add large-scale base load generation to meet Georgia's growing energy needs," said Mike Garrett, Georgia Power president and CEO. "Since 2002, the price of natural gas has increased more than 400 percent. And the cost of coal has more than doubled in the past year. Additional nuclear energy capacity will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, at a time when fossil fuel prices are increasing significantly."
The company's filing requests:
-- The PSC's approval of an update to the company's "Integrated Resource
Plan," an energy plan which outlines how the company will meet
customers' demand and energy requirements in an economic and reliable
manner. The plan includes:
-- The addition of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4, which would provide
1,102 megawatts each.
-- Consideration to convert Plant Mitchell to burn renewable biomass,
with details of the potential conversion to follow in a possible
filing later this month.
-- A solar research project, which could be expanded by 2011.
-- Renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response programs
that could meet between 11 to 18 percent of future resource needs
over the next 10 years.
-- Expansion of the company's Green Energy program through a large
volume renewable option and the addition of renewable energy
credits.
-- The PSC to allow inclusion of Construction Work in Progress (CWIP)
for the two new Vogtle units in rate base, a regulatory treatment
that would lower capital cost of the nuclear units by approximately
30 percent.
-- Georgia Power's portion of the cost of Vogtle units 3 and 4 is
expected to be $6.4 billion without CWIP in rate base; however, with
CWIP in rate base, Georgia Power's cost of the plant after it goes
into service is estimated to be almost $2 billion - or about 30
percent - lower.
-- Approval of the company's recommendation to install environmental
controls at Plants Branch and Yates.
-- Approval of costs to assess new coal generation as an alternative to
nuclear.
-- Approval of a method to address cost adjustments associated with
changes in commodity costs during construction.
Earlier this year, Georgia Power, acting for itself and for Plant Vogtle's co-owners (Oglethorpe Power, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia [MEAG Power] and Dalton Utilities), entered into an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract (EPC) with Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and The Shaw Group Inc.'s Power Group, for the development and construction of two AP1000 nuclear units.
Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities informed Georgia Power July 2nd that they will maintain their maximum ownership shares in the new units: Oglethorpe Power, 30 percent; MEAG Power, 22.7 percent; and Dalton Utilities, 1.6 percent. Georgia Power's proportionate share is 45.7 percent.
While the final rate impacts of the proposed nuclear units will be determined by the PSC, the company estimates the typical Georgia Power customer, using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, would see a base rate increase of approximately $12 per month in 2018, when both units are fully operational. The rate impact is expected to decline over time.
However, if the PSC approves including CWIP for the new units in rate base, total rate increases required to cover the cost of the plant when it goes into service will be nearly 3 percent lower, and the cost of the plant when it goes into service will be approximately $2 billion - or 30 percent - lower. Because including CWIP in rate base would allow for small rate increases over a period of years leading to commercial operation, customers would also avoid large rate increases when the plant goes into service.
Georgia Power submitted its proposal to the Georgia Public Service Commission May 1, 2008 as a self-build option in connection with the company's plan to meet increased electric demand in 2016-2017. The company has worked with the Georgia PSC's Independent Evaluator and the Georgia PSC staff over the past few months to review the proposal. The review by the Georgia PSC staff will continue until a final certification decision is reached in March 2009.
If certified by the Georgia PSC and licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the two Westinghouse AP1000 units, with a capacity of approximately 1,102 megawatts each, would be constructed at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant site near Waynesboro, Georgia, and would be placed in service in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) , 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.
Oglethorpe Power Corporation is a $4.9 billion power supply cooperative serving 38 consumer-owned EMCs in Georgia. These EMCs provide retail electric service to approximately 4.1 million Georgians. Oglethorpe Power is the nation's largest electric cooperative in assets, annual kilowatt-hour sales, and ultimate consumers served.
The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) is a public generation and transmission organization providing power to 49 Georgia communities with annual electric sales of $736 million and 10.8 million megawatt-hours of delivered energy in 2007.
Dalton Utilities has operated as a public utility since 1889 and provides potable water, electrical, natural gas and wastewater treatment services to approximately 65,000 customers in the City of Dalton and portions of Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Catoosa and Floyd counties. In 2003, Dalton Utilities launched OptiLink and now provides broadband, cable TV, telephone and internet services to residential and business customers.
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, operates Plant Vogtle's two existing nuclear power units for the plant owners. Southern Nuclear also operates the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga. and the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Nuclear Plant Co-Owners Move Forward
PRNewswire -- Co-owners of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant today (July 3, 2008) announced their intent to maintain their proportionate share of ownership in the proposed Units 3 and 4. As co-owners of two existing units at Plant Vogtle, the utilities had the rights to participate in the new Vogtle units but were required to make a final commitment by July 2, 2008.
Earlier this year, Georgia Power, acting for itself and for Plant Vogtle's co-owners (Oglethorpe Power, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia [MEAG Power] and Dalton Utilities), entered into an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract (EPC) with Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and The Shaw Group Inc.'s Power Group, for the development and construction of two AP1000 nuclear units.
Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities have informed Georgia Power that they will maintain the following existing ownership shares in the new units: Oglethorpe Power, 30 percent; MEAG Power, 22.7 percent; and Dalton Utilities, 1.6 percent. Georgia Power's proportionate share is 45.7 percent.
"Plant Vogtle's co-owners represent communities throughout Georgia, and we believe these collective decisions reflect the strong support our co-owners share in the proposed units," said Mike Garrett, Georgia Power president and CEO.
"Through our participation in this planned expansion of Plant Vogtle, Oglethorpe Power and our Member EMCs are taking action to help ensure that Georgians have the electricity they need for the future," said Tom Smith, president & CEO of Oglethorpe Power.
"The participants' level of cooperation and diligence as discussions moved forward was exemplary and underscores the value of joint action," states MEAG Power president and CEO, Bob Johnston. "They are to be congratulated for visionary leadership on behalf of the citizens they serve." Based upon contractual commitments made by 41 of the participants for which it provides wholesale electric power, MEAG Power will retain a 22.7 percent ownership interest in two new nuclear units.
"Although Dalton Utilities is the smallest co-owner participating in this project at 1.6 percent, our evaluation of all the factors that impact this project and our experience with Vogtle Units 1 and 2 lead us to conclude that it is an excellent investment in energy supply that will serve our customers well into the future," said Don Cope, Dalton Utilities president and CEO.
Georgia Power submitted its proposal to the Georgia Public Service Commission May 1, 2008 as a self-build option in connection with the company's plan to meet increased electric demand in 2016-2017. The company's self-build nuclear proposal will be reviewed by the Georgia PSC's Independent Evaluator before the company submits a final recommendation to the Georgia PSC on August 1, 2008 for approval. A final certification decision is expected in March 2009.
If certified by the Georgia PSC and licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the two Westinghouse AP1000 units, with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts each, would be constructed at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant site near Waynesboro, Georgia, and would be placed in service in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) , 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.
Oglethorpe Power Corporation is a $4.9 billion power supply cooperative serving 38 consumer-owned EMCs in Georgia. These EMCs provide retail electric service to approximately 4.1 million Georgians. Oglethorpe Power is the nation's largest electric cooperative in assets, annual kilowatt-hour sales, and ultimate consumers served.
The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) is a public generation and transmission organization providing power to 49 Georgia communities with annual electric sales of $736 million and 10.8 million megawatt-hours of delivered energy in 2007.
Dalton Utilities has operated as a public utility since 1889 and provides potable water, electrical, natural gas and wastewater treatment services to approximately 65,000 customers in the City of Dalton and portions of Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Catoosa and Floyd counties. In 2003, Dalton Utilities launched OptiLink and now provides broadband, cable TV, telephone and internet services to residential and business customers.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Copper Theft Is Dangerous Activity
PRNewswire -- Rising prices for copper have led to increased thefts from utilities, construction and industrial sites, creating a serious problem throughout Georgia.
Georgia Power has been no exception. As the price of copper goes up, Georgia Power has seen a steady correlated increase in the number of thefts, attempted thefts and break-ins at substations, from the poles themselves and other property locations.
In the past two years the average price of a pound of copper has gone up almost 200 percent. But from 2005 to 2007, the number of wire theft cases the company has investigated has gone up more than 500 percent, while losses have increased more than 600 percent.
"We actively investigate all thefts or attacks on our property," says Philip Peacock, investigations supervisor for Georgia Power. "We work closely with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute anyone who does something like this. Arrests of individuals involved in these thefts from Georgia Power have increased more than 900 percent."
Not only is there a financial impact to the company, there are significant safety implications as well. When thieves target electric lines and equipment they put themselves, utility employees and, potentially, residents in danger.
Many substations receive power in at 500,000 volts and reduce it down to about 11,000 volts, which is still a lethal dose. Before any utility staff are allowed to work around this equipment they must have safety training and are required to wear personal protective equipment such as insulated shoes, hard hats, and other specific materials.
"We've had several instances where these would-be thieves have been severely injured," continued Peacock, "including critical, life-threatening electrical burns or loss of body parts. Anyone who does this is putting their life at extreme risk."
These thefts also threaten the operation of the electric grid, which can cause widespread outages and endanger employees working on lines.
The company has initiated a number of programs to tackle the problem. Security has been increased at all company locations. Peacock says, where possible, copper wire in the system is being replaced with steel-clad wire, which has little value in the scrap metal market.
In addition, the Georgia legislature passed a new law in 2007 increasing the penalties for anyone who steals or knowingly recycles stolen copper.
"The risks just aren't worth the few dollars someone might be able to get for the amount of copper available in our substations," noted Peacock. "It's just not worth their life or being permanently disabled from now on."
