Energy
Energy use is measured consumption of energy for transportation, residential, and commercial uses. Our energy comes from the harvesting of fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), nuclear plants, and renewable energy sources. We rely on energy sources for everything from turning on our computers to heating our homes and businesses.
Non-renewable energy sources are those which do not replenish themselves at a sustainable rate for the current human consumption rates. This means that eventually the energy source will run out if their use continued at the same rate. This includes traditional fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Many traditional forms of energy sources result in carbon emissions, which lead to human-enhanced greenhouse effects.
Renewable energy sources (like solar, wind, and water) are used as alternatives to non-renewable energy sources, and include energy from sources like the sun (solar), wind, and water(hydraulic). The use of renewable energy sources helps us to be good stewards of our resources and reduce our environmental footprint.
In 2018, Athens-Clarke County will see the first year of sustained savings of $100,000 or more from energy-use projects in the county. This equates to the avoidance of 520 tons of carbon monoxide emissions (or 100 elephants' worth) that have been avoided by energy use limitations within the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Our goal is to promote and establish ways to reduce overall energy use and when we do use traditional energy sources, to do so sustainably and in ways that are the most environmentally and economically responsible for our community.
Having more energy-efficient government facilities follows the 2016 Proclamation for Renewable Energy, which promotes the use of more renewable energy sources in both the private sector and in government facilities.
For more information on energy use in our area, visit georgiapower.com.