Georgia stays out of wind power group

subscribe

Concerned about future costs and obligations, Georgia officials want more information before they get involved in a plan to generate energy from wind turbines off the East Coast.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced early this month that it had reached an agreement with 10 East Coast governors to work together to develop wind turbines in the Atlantic.

South Carolina and Florida did not formally join the consortium, but the Interior Department said it was working with those states to promote offshore wind development.

Georgia officials said they're hesitant to get involved. The state wants details on the commitment of time, effort and money that would be required, said Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Brantley also said other forms of renewable energy hold more promise for Georgia. "If this was a solar consortium or a biomass consortium, we'd be the first ones to sign up," he said. "But it's not likely that wind is going to be Georgia's core strength in terms of energy."

Jennette Gayer of Environment Georgia accused the state of being shortsighted.

"We have a source of energy off our coast — it's not going to spill, it's not going to ruin our coastline," she said.

Officials at the Interior Department said they would welcome Georgia into the consortium. They said there are no specific financial obligations associated with joining.

Chuck Mueller, senior policy adviser at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said other states may be more enthusiastic because they're ahead of Georgia in wind power development.

Valerie Hendrickson, a spokeswoman for Atlanta-based Southern Co., said the company is working on federal permit applications to set up wind research towers off Georgia.

Related News

texas power lines

Electricity complaints filed by Texans reach three-year high, report says

HOUSTON - The number of electricity service-related complaints and inquiries filed with the state’s Public Utility Commission reached a three-year high this past fiscal year, an advocacy group said Tuesday.

According to the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, a nonprofit that advocates for low electricity prices, Texans filed 5,371 complaints or inquiries with the commission between September 2017 and August of this year. That’s up from the 4,175 complaints or inquiries filed during the same period in 2017 and the 4,835 filed in 2016. The complaints and inquiries included concerns with billing, meters and service.

“This stark uptick in complaints is disappointing…

READ MORE
canada-faces-critical-crunch-electrical-supply

Canada Faces Critical Crunch in Electrical Supply

READ MORE

powerlines

Quebec authorizes nearly 1,000 megawatts of electricity for 11 industrial projects

READ MORE

power pylons

Energy minister unveils Ontario's plan to address growing energy needs

READ MORE

3-ply non medical masks

3-layer non-medical masks now recommended by Canada's top public health doctor

READ MORE