Green Power EMCs Add to Renewable Generation List.

Now, Green Power may have found a unique solution to two challenges facing Northeast Georgians - getting more environmentally friendly energy and disposing of poultry wastes.

Traditionally, poultry litter is spread on fields because it is rich in nutrients and acts as a fertilizer. The problem comes when urban and suburban sprawl takes away land that was once available to accept chicken litter.

The litter is superheated and separates into gas compounds, including methane. These gases are burned to produce heat that creates steam to power a turbine. After it's used for power production, the litter turns into an odorless ash that's granulated and added to the soil to provide nutrients. Another benefit is that the chicken litter power plant has lower emissions than typical power plants.

"Georgia must be proactive in developing alternative energy sources, and that is exactly what we're seeing with Green Power EMCs' poultry litter-to-energy operation," said Gov. Sonny Perdue. "If this project is successful, it has the potential to be replicated throughout the state, and could be a significant agricultural solution for Georgia's growing energy needs."

The plant should be fully functional by 2007. Its output will be 20 megawatts, enough electricity to annually meet the needs of 15,000 homes.

Ready to go green? Call your Jackson EMC office or visit our Web site at www.jacksonemc.com/greenpower.