Green Power
History
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 facilities combined 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, and Georgia has a large amount of biomass (landfill gas, wood waste, and chicken litter).
When garbage decomposes in a landfill, it produces gas made up of methane (the main component in natural gas), carbon dioxide and small amounts of oxygen, nitrogen and non-methane organic compounds. Methane is considered a dangerous greenhouse gas and it typically destroyed at landfills by being burnt in a “flare”, similar to a giant candle. Landfills are built with wells and underground pipes to draw the gas to the flare.
Landfill power stations tap into that infrastructure, making this project very cost-effective. After the gas is collected and moisture removed, it is burnt in a combustion unit, similar to an automobile engine, which drives a generator, producing electricity. This electricity runs through a transformer to convert it to the proper voltage and then is exported onto the power grid.
How this Affects You
Energy generated through Green Power EMC goes straight into the power grid. By purchasing a block of green power, members purchase renewable energy. The use and development of renewable resources for electricity serves to make our world a better place to live by reducing our dependency on coal and natural gas. Green Power also avoids harmful pollutants from being released into our atmosphere.
For more information about the program, visit the Green Power EMC website.
To join the program, please fill and submit the Green Power Enrollment Form.
Green-e Energy Disclosures
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. Landfill gas comes from the natural breakdown of wastes at the landfill site. The gas is collected and used to generate electricity. Typically the gas is wasted; in most landfills it’s just burned off to prevent explosions. Green-e Energy certifiies that the green power sold by Habersham EMC meets the environmental and consumer protection standards established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions.
Price, Terms, and Conditions
Green Power Price, Terms, and Conditions (PDF)
Product Content Label
2023 HEMC Product Content Label
Habersham EMC voluntarily accepts and supports the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements and independent verification methods. Green-e Energy was established by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions to provide information and an objective standard for consumers to compare renewable energy options, and to verify that consumers get what they pay for. Green-e Energy assures customers that participants portray their Green-e Energy Certified renewable energy option accurately. The Green-e Energy logo shown here can only be used with renewable energy options like this one that promise to meet Green-e Energy’s high standards of environmental and marketing integrity. Habersham Electric Membership Corporation’s Green Power program is Green-e certified, and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. Learn more at www.green-e.org.
