Georgia utility regulator Lauren McDonald wants Georgia Power to come up with options in the next 30 days for expanding the tiny amount of electricity generated from solar power..
“I think we need to take an aggressive move and explore what we can do,” McDonald, a veteran member of the Public Service Commission, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I don’t think the company and even our staff has been challenged to the degree that they should be.”
McDonald made his comments during a Georgia Public Service Commission meeting Tuesday. His suggestions include having Georgia Power make room for large-scale solar projects in its long-term plan, which must be filed in late July. Or, the utility could change its renewable-action plan and buy more solar power from other providers.
A Georgia Power spokesman said the company will comply with McDonald's call for developing options. No other PSC member spoke on the matter.
Georgia solar industry officials said they were surprised by McDonald's call but added he recently has become supportive of the renewable fuel. McDonald, in his third year of a six-year term at the PSC, campaigned on a pro-nuclear stance and said at the time he was "appreciative" of renewables.
“It came unexpectedly. It was a shock to everyone,” said Doug Beebe, chairman of the Georgia Solar Energy Association. “We’re not really sure where it came from and what the motivation is.”
Neill Herring, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, called the action “back scratching.”
“They both get to look responsible,” said Herring, adding that there’s a growing and vocal solar lobby in Georgia. “They have to deal with those people. That’s what this is about.”
Georgia Power has resisted building solar and other alternative energy projects for years, citing cost and a cloudy Southeast as the two main issues.
The utility has PSC approval to buy up to 4.4 megawatts of solar power from customers with solar systems. All of that is under contract, but only 2 megawatts is being produced, a spokeswoman said. Georgia Power also plans to build 1 megawatt's worth of solar projects across the state. One megawatt can power 250 homes or one SuperTarget.
The utility gets 67 percent of its fuel from coal and 21 percent from nuclear power. Another 10 percent comes from natural gas and 2 percent comes from hydroelectric power. Solar and wind represent less than 1 percent, but solar industry officials say the cost of sun power has dropped. They hope McDonald's announcement means private solar vendors can compete more effectively.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
