Footprints show where someone has been.

Chuck Parker, Elesys Safety and Environmental engineer; Joe Hicks, JEMC Commercial/Industrial Marketing representative; and Alan Shedd, JEMC Commercial/Industrial engineer, discuss energy usage savings at the Elesys North America, Inc. site in Suwanee.

The same concept is true for businesses when it comes to their energy consumption. Individuals and businesses leave a carbon footprint (the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air). As part of its environmental impact strategy, Elesys North America, Inc., located in Suwanee, asked Jackson EMC to help measure its "carbon footprint."

A carbon footprint is carbon dioxide released as a byproduct of the energy used to produce products and services. As fossil fuels are burned, carbon dioxide, one of the most significant "greenhouse gases" is released. Some forms of energy including nuclear power and renewables like solar, wind and hydropower do not produce carbon dioxide.

Elesys has a long-term goal to "Leave small footprints on the earth," which helps ensure healthy communities. Understanding the impact of its footprint will allow Elesys to better manage the size of that footprint.

Joe Hicks, Jackson EMC Commercial/ Industrial marketing representative, says more companies are concerned with energy audits and the impact they are making on the environment. "We recognize our customers' concerns in terms of energy consumption. When Elesys asked for our assistance on their carbon footprint, we were glad they viewed us as a resource and not just their power provider."

Georgia's utilities emit 204.8 pounds of CO2/million BTU, which is below the national average of 207.7. Jackson EMC produces 1.11 pounds of CO2/kWh, faring better than the state average of 1.37 pounds. The CO2 numbers calculate all energy mix sources (coal, natural gas, hydro, methane, etc.) to determine the carbon footprint. With Jackson EMC's Green Power participation and energy mix from other sources, the cooperative is able to maintain a lower emission number.

This wasn't the first time we partnered with Elesys on an energy-efficiency matter. "We conducted an Energy Audit for Elesys a year ago. We offered advice on ways to reduce their energy consumption like installing fluorescent lights, standardizing the heating and cooling system and using one compressor and removing the other from standby mode if it isn't needed," recalls Alan Shedd, Jackson EMC Commercial/Industrial engineer.

"Elesys noticed a decrease in its energy usage once those changes were made," says Elesys' Safety and Environmental Engineer Chuck Parker. "They really like to help people save money and reduce energy usage. When we contacted Jackson EMC for the audit and carbon footprint, they immediately sent us to the right people. They make the process so easy, I'm surprised more companies don't take advantage of this service."

CO2 Factoid

When you drive a car, each gallon of gasoline burned produces carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. The average American is responsible for about 20 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, a far greater per capita number than that of any other industrialized country. You can reduce your carbon footprint by driving a more efficient car or driving less.