GreyStone encourages members to

Go Green on Earth Day 2008

Who says it’s not easy to go green?

GreyStone Power is challenging members to “Go Green” on Earth Day Tuesday, April 22—and the Cooperative is ready to help. Throughout the month of April GreyStone is giving each of their 100,000 members a coupon for a free compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). The coupons are being mailed out with each member’s electricity bill and may be redeemed at locally participating Home Depot stores through May 31.

“CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer,” says GreyStone Power President/CEO Gary Miller. “We want to encourage our members to use these bulbs to conserve energy. But they are more expensive. That’s why we’re giving each of our members a coupon for a free CFL. It’s a great way to help our members jump-start their conservation efforts at home!”

Since 1970 Earth Day has been an annual celebration used to help recognize environmental concerns while emphasizing the actions individuals and groups can take to improve the environment in their communities. On Earth Day 2008 GreyStone is also asking members to sign up to support the production of greener, cleaner energy in Georgia through Green Power EMC. Sixteen co-ops including GreyStone Power created Green Power EMC in 2001 and have led the way among utilities nationally in providing more than 123,000,000 kWhs of electricity generated by renewable energy resources.

Green Power EMC is the largest operational green power program in the Southeastern United States. Landfill gas is the primary renewable energy resource used by Green Power EMC, with sites in Taylor and Fayette counties. Research into new energy resources is always under way; a good example is the upcoming debut of a plant where poultry litter will be gasified to generate heat and produce steam to turn a turbine generator.

Currently 7.3 MWs of green power are being generated in Georgia. That’s enough electricity to serve 4,540 homes—or enough power to supply the energy needs of every home in towns the size of Newnan or Cartersville. Another 20 megawatts of green power will be available in 2009 with the addition of Plant Carl, a chicken litter plant in Carnesville. Altogether, that’s enough green power to serve 16,794 homes for one year.

“We’re asking out members to help us reduce our carbon footprint in Georgia,” says Miller. According to Green Power EMC, supporting one block of green power each month for a year has the same impact on the environment as recycling 2.34 tons of newspaper or not driving a car for 21.6 months.

Between noon and 2 p.m. on April 22 GreyStone Power employees will be at the guest services booth at Arbor Place Mall to give away canvas shopping bags and other treats to members who sign up to support Green Power. GreyStone’s members can support the production of one or more 150 kWh blocks of green power each month for just $5/block. And with each sponsored block members are supporting research into new ways to produce cleaner energy in Georgia. Members can sign up online to support Green Power at anytime by visiting www.greenpoweremc.com.

“Georgia is rich in resources waiting to be converted into electricity—landfill methane gases, low-impact hydroelectric plants, solar, wind and poultry litter generating facilities,” says Miller. “We need our members’ help to find new ways to produce cleaner, greener energy.”

To find out more about Green Power EMC visit www.greenpoweremc.com.