“Today we’re delivering a historic investment through the bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen Georgia’s energy security and energy independence,” Sen. Ossoff said
Projects will improve grid resilience and energy deployment across Georgia
Locust Grove, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen Georgia’s energy security and energy independence.
Today, Sen. Ossoff is delivering a $250 million investment through the bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen Georgia’s energy grid and ensure Georgia families, small businesses, and the agricultural industry have access to reliable and affordable electricity.
The funding, coming through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership’s (GRIP) program, will help fund projects statewide — including in rural and underserved communities — to improve service reliability, decrease the frequency and duration of power outages, and reduce energy bills for families.
“Today we’re delivering a historic investment through the bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen Georgia’s energy security and energy independence,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Granholm for their continued collaboration as we lead Georgia forward.”
The proposed projects will improve grid resilience and energy development in Georgia and generate more than 140 jobs, with a total estimated investment of approximately $507 million, of which $250 million is coming from the Federal bipartisan infrastructure law.
The project, through a partnership between the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations and Green Power EMC, will make a comprehensive smart grid infrastructure update, through investments in battery storage, local microgrids, and grid reliability, as well as new transmission lines.
Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission and Georgia System Operations serve 38 not-for-profit electric membership corporations (EMCs) across Georgia who provide retail electric service to more than 4.4 million residents.
“Extreme weather events fueled by climate change will continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems, but President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will ensure America’s power grid can provide reliable, affordable power,” said U.S Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s announcement represents the largest-ever direct investment in critical grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden systems, improve energy reliability and affordability — all while generating union jobs for highly skilled workers.”
“Georgia’s continued growth and prosperity depends on reliable and affordable energy. As the State Energy Office, we are committed to doing our part to help make that happen. This public- private partnership will help build a resilient energy future for Georgia,” said GEFA Executive Director Hunter Hill.
“Oglethorpe Power proposed three 25-megawatt utility-scale batteries in this grant application, subject to customary approvals. As we navigate the clean energy transition while simultaneously responding to increased electricity demands, we expect this energy storage project to enhance grid resiliency and enable the deployment of increased intermittent emission-free energy on Georgia’s electric grid,” said Oglethorpe Power President & CEO Mike Smith.
“Georgia’s EMCs lead the nation among electric cooperatives for utility-scale solar deployment, and this grant will help us continue to meet our members’ high expectations for reliability, while accommodating the growing renewable energy demands of Georgia’s homes and businesses,” said Green Power EMC President Jeff Pratt.
“As an electric cooperative focused on transmission, we play an important role in providing reliable electric service to rural communities across our state,” said Georgia Transmission President & CEO Barbara Hampton. “As the energy landscape continues to evolve and our reliance on electricity increases, Georgia Transmission will use the funding provided by this grant to increase reliability and resiliency through advanced microgrid technology and infrastructure upgrades.”
“Our participation in the GRIP grant will profoundly enhance the tools and technologies used to operate the electric grid in Georgia,” said Georgia System Operations Corporation President & CEO Gregory S. Ford. “The focus of these enhancements will enable the corporation to better support the transition to renewable energy and integrate the projects funded by this grant into our day-to-day operations,” he added.
Sen. Ossoff continues delivering Federal resources to strengthen Georgia’s energy security and lower energy costs for families.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Inflation Reduction Act — which Sen. Ossoff helped pass into law last year — is bringing an estimated $180 million of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Georgia between now and 2030.
Earlier this month, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock delivered over $500,000 from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to farmers in Colquitt County to install solar panels and modernize poultry houses — strengthening energy security and lowering costs.
Last summer, Sen. Ossoff passed his Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act into law, which has spurred the largest clean energy investment in American history by Qcells.
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