Q: While on approach into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, there is some type of solar project that can be seen. Can you provide any information regarding this project? Who is developing the site, what is its purpose and is there any benefit to the city?
— Bob Wessel, Roswell
A: The Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Project, located in Conley, has produced about 2.3 million kilowatt hours (kwH) since it opened in 2011, enough to power 224 homes, according to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA). Hickory Ridge was a landfill from 1993-2006, but Republic Services, which owns the site, spent $2 million in federal stimulus money and $2.9 million of its funds to transform the site into Georgia's first landfill cover solar farm. It has 7,000 solar panels and is the largest landfill solar energy cover in the world, according to the company's website. Republic Services is a "leading provider of solid waste collection, transfer, recycling and disposal services" in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
Q: For many years after the Vietnam War, I read about American servicemen listed as missing in action. How many are still classified as MIA? How about from both wars in Iraq and the fighting in Afghanistan?
— Frank Manfre, Grayson
A: There are 1,643 Americans still unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China) from the Vietnam War, according to the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO). Of these, 1,275 are unaccounted for in Vietnam, where searches for remains, called Joint Field Activities, continue to be conducted. Two U.S. servicemen are missing from Operation Desert Storm (1991) and three Department of Defense contractors are unaccounted for from Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-10).
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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