Georgia County Government - December 2008 - (Page 29)

Feature Oglethorpe Power Plans Biomass Electric Facilities O glethorpe Power Corporation (OPC), the nation’s largest power supply cooperative, announced plans to build up to three 100 megawatt (MW) biomass electric generating facilities in Georgia in late September. Designed to utilize woody biomass, an abundant renewable resource in the state, the power plants will be carbon-neutral and provide power to OPC’s 38 member cooperatives, which supply electricity to nearly half Georgia’s population. “With abundant biomass resources, Georgia is in the unique position to expand the use of alternative energy, grow the economy and transform the way we provide energy to citizens,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “Oglethorpe Power’s pioneering investment in alternative energy is consistent with our goal to grow, convert, and use biomass energy to power homes and businesses.” Five potential locations in Appling, Echols, Warren and Washington counties have been sited by OPC and the first two biomass power plants are scheduled to be built and put in operation in 2014 and 2015. However, the company has yet to decide which of the five sites will host the first two plants. A third unit could also be completed and placed into service in 2015. Capital investment in the biomass plants will range from $400-500 million per facility, with each providing approximately 40 good-paying, full-time jobs. In addition, each plant will require an annual investment of more than $30 Capital investment in the biomass plants will range from $400-500 million per facility, with each providing approximately 40 good-paying, full-time jobs. million for fuel stock alone and will create a need for potentially hundreds of new jobs in the state’s forestry industry. Tom Smith, president and chief executive officer of Oglethorpe Power Corporation, said, “We’re pleased to find an environmentally friendly way to help meet some of our members’ growing demand for electricity. OPC’s members continue to grow and have an increasing need for additional power.” The power plants will be steam-electric generation stations using conventional f luidized bed boiler/steam turbine technology. Fuel for the plants will consist of a woody biomass mixture, including processed roundwood (e.g. chipped pulpwood), primary manufacturing residue (e.g. wood waste from sawmills) and harvest residue (e.g. wood remaining in forests after clearing). The plants will be designed to allow for the co-firing of other types of biomass, such as pecan hulls and peanut shells. There are no plans to use any fossil fuels. “With 12 million people expected to call Georgia home by the year 2030, we will need more energy to meet the demand of our growing population,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). “The addition of Oglethorpe Power’s biomass electricity plants will help supply Georgians with homegrown energy that is clean and renewable.” Smith added, “We are committed to environmental stewardship and providing affordable and reliable power from a diverse mix of energy sources. Georgia has an abundant renewable biomass resource that is competitive with other available generation technologies. Unfortunately, our state is a poor location for wind energy and only has a modest potential for solar, thus making the case of biomass power generation as our best renewable alternative.” Employing environmentally responsible technologies, the biomass plants will meet all state and federal environmental requirements. The exact control technologies utilized will be determined as part of the permitting process. It is likely, however, that the plants will include filter baghouses for reduction of particulate emissions and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) for control of NOx. Depending on the location, water would be obtained either from onsite wells, nearby surface waters, from municipal sources or grey water from nearby industries. Each plant would be developed on a minimum of 150 acres of land to ensure an adequate buffer between the plant and its surroundings. ■ “With abundant biomass resources, Georgia is in the unique position to expand the use of alternative energy, grow the economy and transform the way we provide energy to citizens.” Governor Sonny Perdue. DECEMBER 2008 www.accg.org 29 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - December 2008

Georgia County Government - December 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters 2009 Legislative Forecast: ACCG's Platform for the Coming Legislative Session ACCG Policy Staff 2008 Legislative Awards Honor Georgia Lawmakers Cell Towers and Local Governments Oglethorpe Power Plans Biomass Electric Facilities Georgia's Grand Old Courthouses: Dawson County Extension News: Biofuels Development Research Corner: Implementing a Record Retention Policy County Parade Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com

Georgia County Government - December 2008

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