Flower Power

Earth Day a great time to participate in green power program

Not only are our customer-owners signing up and inquiring about our green power program; new green electric power sources continue to come online.

The first green power sources are Georgia landfills where otherwise wasted methane gas is being used to power state-of-the-art electric generators.   The generators are clean burning low-emission models that have operated successfully since 2003.

Another landfill generating site is scheduled to come online during 2005, boosting green electricity generated from waste methane to nine megawatts.

A low impact hydro project will also begin producing green power this year.   The Tallassee Shoals project on the Middle Oconee River near Athens will add 2.3 megawatts to the green power mix available to EMC customer-owners of the 16 participating cooperatives.

Low impact hydro means the dam is operated to minimize environmental impacts on the river.   Some of those include river flows, water quality and watershed protection. The Low Impact Hydropower Institute certifies the Tallassee Shoals project.

Besides landfill gas and low impact hydro, solar generation will come online in stages over the next two years.

How can you get in on the excitement?   By subscribing to Walton EMC's green power program.   For only $2.95 per month, you can sponsor a 150 kilowatt-hour block of green power generation.

Your support means we don't have to rely as much on traditional power generation fuels.

Sign up today or call 770/267-2505.   You'll receive a green power kit with helpful hints and stickers to show you support the green power program.

Read other articles in this month's Realite:

• What's This?-Electric Meter
  The electric meter on the side of your home or business is an elegantly simple machine.  And it's amazingly accurate.
  
  
• More on Wall Warts
  We recently recommended plugging electronic power supplies into a power strip and switching them off when not in use.  But it's difficult to get more than two or three on one strip since they're so bulky.  SkyMall has the answer.
  
  
• Post No Bills-Please!
  Our poles may look like convenient bulletin boards.  But your innocent looking signs can actually put our line workers in danger.
  
  
• Walton EMC Names Washington Winners
  Four talented students recently won a coveted spot on the 2005 Washington Youth Tour
  
  
• WEMC Contractor Changes Name, Logo
  One of the contractors maintaining Walton EMC's right-of-ways has a new name and logo
  
  
• Current Cooking
  Try delicious Okra Fritters.