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Cleaner Energy from Georgia’s Landfills

Our Story

Habersham EMC and 15 other EMCs in the state joined together to form Green Power EMC in 2002. Now, participation has grown to a partnership of 38 Georgia EMCs.

This group works together to research and provide green electricity—that is, electricity generated from renewable resources. This electricity is then offered to EMC members.

How It Works

Green Power EMC supplies power from five landfill gas facilities. These combined facilities make Green Power EMC one of the largest purchasers of Georgia-based energy from landfills.

The key to Green Power is to make the most of the resources in your area. Georgia has a large amount of biomass, including:

  • Landfill gas
  • Wood waste
  • Chicken litter

As garbage decomposes in a landfill, it creates a gas made up of:

  • Methane (the main component in natural gas)
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Small amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, and non-methane organic compounds

Methane is a dangerous greenhouse gas and is typically destroyed at landfills by being burned in a “flare,” similar to a giant candle.

  1. Landfill power stations tap into that infrastructure, making the project very cost-effective.
  2. Wells and underground pipes collect the gas.
  3. Moisture is removed.
  4. The gas is burned in a combustion unit (similar to a car engine).
  5. A generator is driven, producing electricity.
  6. Electricity runs through a transformer and is exported to the power grid.
landfill gas to energy process. From left to right: Landfill, liner and over to contain gases, refuse, landfill gas, gas collection wells, extraction and cleaning equipment, gas engine and electric generator, transformer, to grid
Landfill Gas to Energy Process: This diagram shows how landfill gas is captured and converted into electricity through a cost-effective, renewable process.

What This Means for You

  • Energy generated through Green Power EMC goes straight into the power grid.
  • When you purchase a block of green power, you are supporting renewable energy. This reduces dependency on coal and natural gas, and avoids harmful pollutants being released into the atmosphere.
  • The use and development of renewable resources make our world a better place to live.

e-Energy Certified logoGreen-e Energy Certification

Green power is electricity generated from renewable resources that are more environmentally friendly than some traditional power sources.

As a member of Green Power EMC, Habersham EMC utilizes electricity generated from biomass, specifically methane gas reclaimed from the Taylor County and Roberts Road landfills.

This gas comes from the natural breakdown of waste at the landfill site and is typically wasted (burned off to prevent explosions). Green Power collects and uses it instead to generate electricity.

Green-e Energy Standards

Green-e Energy certifies that the green power sold by Habersham EMC meets the environmental and consumer protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions.

  • Habersham EMC voluntarily supports the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements.
  • Green-e Energy ensures all certified renewable energy options meet strict standards for marketing integrity and environmental performance.
Learn More at the Green-e® Website

Get Involved

Ready to support cleaner energy?

To learn more about the program, visit the Green Power EMC website.

Fill Out the Green Power Enrollment Form