AMEA

The Black Bear Solar Energy Project is going strong in Montgomery, Alabama! Producing 100 MWs (AC) of electric capacity, this innovative alternative energy project is harnessing the power of the sun using nearly 280,000 solar panels. That’s enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.

The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority would like to sincerely thank Secretary Canfield for his 12 years of exceptional service as Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary. During his tenure, Secretary Canfield was instrumental in our state securing more than $70 billion in new private sector capital investment, resulting in the creation of over 180,000 jobs. We congratulate him with gratitude for his many accomplishments on behalf of Alabama’s citizens.

Governor Kay Ivey and Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia announced today that they have reached an agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers expected to end a lawsuit brought by Alabama while assuring both states' citizens who live and work in the Mid- and Lower Chattahoochee River Basin of sufficient minimum water flows during times of drought. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3NthV0w.

Defrost foods overnight on the counter to avoid excessive electricity use during holiday cooking. And when you do use the oven, resist the urge to open the door to check on the turkey, as the temperature can cool by as much as 25 degrees.

Lighten up with LED string lights this holiday season. They’re brighter, and just as important, much cooler, than traditional incandescent lighting. They’re much less likely to catch fire and spread to bushes or your roof. You can relax knowing that your Christmas tree and home are decorated with a safer alternative.

AMEA enjoyed being a part of the Montgomery Chamber Washington Brief Series Breakfast this morning. An update was provided on China, the great power competition, and the national security environment. Guest speakers were Major General Parker H. Wright, Commander of the LeMay Center and Deputy Commander of Air University, and Dr. Brendon Mulvaney, Director of the China Aerospace Studies Institute at the National Defense University.

U.S. sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles reached 17.7% of new light-duty vehicle sales in the third quarter, according to the Energy Information Administration. Learn more at https://bit.ly/413UUHa.

The EDAA 2024 Winter Conference is coming up on January 29-31. A special thank you to the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) for sponsoring the Governor's Luncheon taking place on January 30. Your generous support helps make our conference a success.

Don’t let range anxiety stop you from purchasing an electric vehicle. More charging stations are being funded by both the federal and state governments. The immediate future for EVs is brighter than ever in Alabama!

At the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, we’re most thankful for all of the friends and neighbors who make up our Member communities. Thank you for being a part of all that we do at AMEA. We wish you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings!

According to the Energy Information Administration report, solar is expected to generate 14% more electricity than hydroelectric facilities next year, thanks to the growth of new utility-scale and small-scale solar facilities.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-outpace-hydropower-generation-2024-eia/699130/

In 1982, inventor Hans Tholstrup drove the first solar-powered car across the Australian continent in under three weeks. The “Quiet Achiever” vehicle beat the first gasoline-powered car to travel from Sydney to Perth by 10 days. Alternative energy is gaining momentum, so don’t be surprised to see solar vehicles on the road one day.

The 2024 Main Street Now national conference is heading to Birmingham. Mark your calendars for May 6-8 and click the link to check out the details! https://bit.ly/3Flk5Lr

Public power provides Member communities transparency and accountability. Unlike with privately owned electric companies, public power utilities are governed and regulated by elected officials or people appointed by them. This means that they answer to you. Your input on issues such as rates really does matter.

Electric vehicles batteries will find a second life in EV charging stations under a project led by the University of Alabama. Learn more at https://bit.ly/49rmWQG.

It’s a small thing, but it can prevent a big fire: Always clean out the lint filter in your dryer before putting in a new load of laundry. Lint can overheat quickly and be the spark that causes a fire. You’d be surprised how often it happens, so practice common sense around your laundry room.

You could win one of 44 scholarship opportunities from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority. To be eligible, a student must be graduating high school in spring ’24 and have a parent and/or legal guardian who receives electric service from an AMEA Member utility. Learn more at www.amea.com.

The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity program at the Department of Energy recently published a Notice of Intent to provide $70 million to utilities including public power utilities for cybersecurity. Learn more at https://bit.ly/49mYC2s.

Make sure you and trick-or-treaters stay safe. Keep electrical cords away from areas where people walk, make sure they’re in good repair, and only use those decorations approved for outdoor use. Have a great time and Happy Halloween from AMEA!

Dirty air filters make your air conditioning and heating work that much harder. Make sure to change your air filters frequently and not only save wear and tear on your unit but save on your energy bills as well.

Electric vehicles have been around since the 19th Century. Hungarians and Americans experimented in the early 1830s with the technology, and Robert Anderson invented the first crude model in 1832. Nearly 200 years later, the electric vehicle continues to accelerate. The next time you see or drive an EV, remember who paved the way!

EVs could reach 86% of global vehicle sales by 2030. Although electric vehicles took roughly six years to get from 1% to 10% of global market share, it will take just six more years to reach 80% adoption, an RMI report says. Read more at: https://bit.ly/3QdOq4x

Are you a high school senior graduating in spring 2024? You could win one of 44 scholarship opportunities from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority. To be eligible, a student’s parent and/or legal guardian must receive electric service from an AMEA Member utility. Find out more at www.amea.com.

Every year, Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA) markets nearly 3,400 MW of hydropower capacity. That’s an average of nearly 7.4 billion KW hours of dependable, carbon-free energy. Your AMEA works directly with SEPA to provide you a clean, reliable, low-cost, and renewable source of electricity.

Thank you Opelika Power Services and City of Opelika for being community powered!

Public Power Week is celebrated October 1-7 this year and is an annual national observance coordinated by the American Public Power Association. The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. The Association represents public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve and the 93,000 people they employ. It advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Its members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power.

Learn more at www.PublicPower.org

As an AMEA customer, you have a lot of power: the reliable electricity you enjoy every day. There’s also the power that comes from being a part-owner of the utility—including access to those who set the rates. This week, remember you’re part of a movement that’s 48 million strong across the U.S.

AMEA Member, City of Fairhope, celebrates the value of being a public power community during Public Power Week.

According to the American Public Power Association, public power accounts for 10 percent of all electricity generated in the United States each year. In 2019, nearly 40 percent of that electricity was generated from non-carbon-emitting sources such as hydropower. Not only is public power environmentally responsible, it answers directly to the needs of its Member communities.

Beginning in 1886 and running for another half-century, Montgomery, Alabama’s electric streetcar system opened up the city to surrounding suburbs. Nicknamed the “Lightning Route”, it was the first city-wide electric streetcar system of its kind in the United States. One of those cars can still be seen on display near the historic train shed and Riverwalk Amphitheater in the Capitol City.

A great day in Tuskegee! Congratulations to AMEA Member utility, Utilities Board of Tuskegee, on the grand opening of its new headquarters. So proud for them, their customers, and the community!

Right now, there are 44 scholarship opportunities awaiting high school seniors graduating in spring 2024. To be eligible, a student’s parent and/or legal guardian must receive electric service from an AMEA Member utility. Also to qualify, the student must attend a four-year college/university, community college, and/or vocational/trade school within the state of Alabama. Find out more at www.amea.com.