Footnotes Issue #89: November 25, 2014
Georgia Named #1 Solar Market in the Nation
Solar is about to change the world. The Georgia Sierra Club has helped to make the Peach State the fastest-growing solar market in the country. Last year, with your support, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a motion for Georgia Power, the state’s largest utility, to add 525 MW of solar power generation to its portfolio by 2016. Last week, Research released by The Pew Charitable Trusts during a webinar with industry leaders showed that Georgia attracted $666 million in private clean energy investment from 2009 to 2013 and will generate an additional $4.4 billion over the next decade.
Solar power is the fastest-growing clean energy technology in Georgia and is projected to increase by 535 percent over the next decade. It is also now more affordable than ever before, out-competing fossil fuel energy across the country. Last month, Georgia Power reported that 56 companies filed bids for over 5,000 megawatts worth of potential new projects, averaging less than 6.5 cents per kilowatt. With the cost of solar equipment continuing to plummet we can expect that affordable Clean Energy technology like solar and wind will continue to beat out fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and expensive risky nuclear energy.
Click here to tweet a thank you note to our Public Service Commissioners! Thanks .@BubbaPSC, .@TimEchols, .@chuckeatonga .@StanWisePSC and Doug Everett for making GA #1 market in #solar
Join Atlanta ICO for our Annual REI Giftwrapping Fundraiser!
The Sierra Club's Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) program provides opportunities for youth with limited access to the outdoors to safely explore, enjoy, and protect the natural world. Every year, the Atlanta ICO program puts on their annual Christmas fundraiser at REI, offering giftwrapping services to shoppers as they finish up their purchases.
You can support this great program by stopping by and getting your gifts wrapped (purchased at REI or elsewhere!) or by volunteering for a shift at the REI Clairmont store located at 1800 Northeast Expy NE, Atlanta, on the I-85 service drive. Please email Dolly Katz to sign up!
Sierra Club Meetings
Smart Energy Committee Meeting, Monday, December 1, 7:00 p.m. RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. Wildlands Committee, Monday, December 15, 7:00 p.m. |
Don't live in Atlanta? Check out our Local Groups.
Other Events
November 30th - *Post* Gobble Gobble Hike - Clear your body and soul! Hike away all those biscuits, gravy, and goodies! Come along on an easy-to-moderate, 7-mile hike at Fort Yargo State Park, near Winder, just off State Route 316 between Lawrenceville and Athens. Our hike's terrain is fairly gentle, but the distance can challenge your stamina, so bring a day pack, plenty of water, snacks, and lunch. We'll stop for lunch around the half-way point on the trail at the dam, which provides a beautiful view of the lake. Click here for details.
December 6th - Basic First Aid Training - This Basic First Aide class is intended for Sierra Club volunteers who want to lead outings (hike, bike, kayaking, etc.). This is a general Basic First Aid class with added contents for Wilderness Emergency Care. Subjects covered will include: Environmental hazards, snake & spider bites, basic splinting fractures, anaphylaxis, heart attack, and stroke. Please send your RSVP to Maria Adams. $25 Payment due by December 4th in order to reserve your seat. Click here to make your payment.
December 7th - Silver Comet Trail Bike Ride - Join us for a Sunday ride on the Silver Comet Trail! We will meet at Smyrna Bicycles near the intersection of South Cobb Drive and East-West Connector. There will be a small shopping center next door to the Publix. The exact address is 4624 Camp Highland Rd Se Suite 400, Smyrna, GA. Click here to contact the trip leader and sign up.
December 11th - Georgia Chapter Holiday Party - Thanks to your support, the Georgia Sierra Club has had a succcessful year! Join us for food, fun and festivities as we celebrate our accomplishments of 2014 and look ahead to 2015. To RSVP, click here.
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