A statewide environmental group recognized Athens-Clarke County last week for its commitment to clean and renewable energy.
The Georgia Water Coalition included the ACC government among its “Clean 13” for passing a resolution in 2019 committing to 100% clean and renewable energy for the local government by 2035 and for the entire community by 2050. Currently, 85% of ACC’s energy consumption comes from dirty sources like coal, but renewables like solar show promise. For example, ACC installed a solar array that partially powers a wastewater treatment plant. Water and wastewater account for three-quarters of the ACC government’s energy consumption.
Other initiatives include rechargeable batteries to run diesel fire trucks while they idle, transitioning the county fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles, and a partnership with the Athens Land Trust’s Young Urban Builders to make low-income homes more energy and water efficient. These programs are funded by a variety of sources, including $2.7 million in grants, $16 million earmarked in the current SPLOST package of sales tax-funded projects and revenue from utilities for allowing them to lay power lines in the right-of-way.
“Athens is not afraid to try a lot of pilots and scale it up from there,” Sustainability Officer Mike Wharton said in the report. “We’re learning this is a viable option that can reap benefits beyond the environment.”
Converting to 100% clean and renewable energy would keep $500 million in the local economy and create more than 6,000 jobs, consultants told ACC commissioners during a work session earlier this month.
The Clean 13 report also recognizes the Madison County Clean Energy Coalition, a citizen group that organized to stop two biomass-fueled power plants near Athens that were polluting the air and water by burning railroad ties soaked in the carcinogen creosote. In one instance, runoff from a wood stockpile killed 2,500 fish in a Franklin County creek, according to the report.
Complaints from coalition members resulted in the Georgia Environmental Protection Division fining the company Georgia Renewable Power $81,000 and led state Rep. Alan Powell (R-Hartswell) to push through a bill banning burning creosote-soaked wood. Now, the group is fighting GRP’s efforts to obtain a discharge permit for a Broad River tributary.
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