BEGINNING JAN. 1ST 2012
Because of increases in the cost of generating electric power, the city's electric rates will be on the rise again next year.
Fred Clark, CEO of the city's electricity provider -- the AMEA, predicted the average customer should see an increase of about $1.80/month (based on an average usage of 1000 KW a month).
Mayor Kant recently told the Times he was not yet sure exactly how much the increase would be for Fairhope electric customers (changes in the wholesale costs are automatically passed along).
Clark said the added costs for installing emission controls on coal-fired power plants owned by Alabama Power -- which sells AMEA their electricity -- has come to $3 billion; and that cost has to be passed on to customers.
LOCAL POWER PLANT IMPROVED
Alabama Power's Barry #5 power plant, near Citronelle in Mobile County, is one of the upgraded plants; and is now using carbon sequestration techniques (pumping carbon dioxide emissions into underground caverns) -- and other upgrades to reduce emissions ("scrubbers").
Nitrogen oxide emissions have been reduced by 70% and sulfur dioxide by 40% at the plant, according to company estimates (view).
Charles McCrary, President Alabama Power Company: "Learning how to burn coal ... cleaner is the key to energy independence ... for the nation."
Fairhope Alabama news.
Because of increases in the cost of generating electric power, the city's electric rates will be on the rise again next year.Fred Clark, CEO of the city's electricity provider -- the AMEA, predicted the average customer should see an increase of about $1.80/month (based on an average usage of 1000 KW a month).
Mayor Kant recently told the Times he was not yet sure exactly how much the increase would be for Fairhope electric customers (changes in the wholesale costs are automatically passed along).
Clark said the added costs for installing emission controls on coal-fired power plants owned by Alabama Power -- which sells AMEA their electricity -- has come to $3 billion; and that cost has to be passed on to customers.
LOCAL POWER PLANT IMPROVED
Alabama Power's Barry #5 power plant, near Citronelle in Mobile County, is one of the upgraded plants; and is now using carbon sequestration techniques (pumping carbon dioxide emissions into underground caverns) -- and other upgrades to reduce emissions ("scrubbers").
Nitrogen oxide emissions have been reduced by 70% and sulfur dioxide by 40% at the plant, according to company estimates (view).
Charles McCrary, President Alabama Power Company: "Learning how to burn coal ... cleaner is the key to energy independence ... for the nation."
Fairhope Alabama news.
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