Modern lifestyles place a heavy burden on the power companies to provide affordable electricity on demand. Few of us realize just how much the fuel mixes rely on fossil fuels. This spring our local power companies reported that coal, oil, and natural gas supplied about 80 – 95% of their ever-changing mixes. Fossil fuels are limited, the world's dependence is mounting, and access is harder. We are releasing previously- harnessed CO2 faster than nature can healthfully absorb, creating problems for the world's oceans and climate.

Our reliance on coal means that every time we use electricity, we release dangerous pollutants into the air just as if we burned it in a backyard power plant. Unfortunately, that backyard might not be only figurative. Just a few miles upwind of Macon lies Plant Scherer, the power plant with the highest CO2 and the second highest mercury emissions in the U. S. Local fishermen wanting to eat their catch continue to face mercury warnings from Georgia's Department of Natural Resources.

Green power, on the other hand, uses renewable sources of energy, such as the sun, wind, tides, biomass, and the earth's internal heat. These have reduced emissions and nurture a cleaner environment.

In this spirit, the Tallassee Shoals hydroelectric project near Athens, Georgia, uses the power of flowing water to produce electricity with minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Likewise, students at Huntington Middle School in Warner Robins are learning about renewable energy with a solar panel installed through Green Power EMC's Sun Power for Schools program via Flint Energies.

From Trash to Treasure

Surprisingly, though, the core of Georgia's green energy program is found in our trash! As garbage decomposes in landfills, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas which is often flared off to prevent dangerous build-ups. Landfill methane plants in DeKalb, Fayette, and Taylor County put this gas to better use by creating electricity when they burn it. In a similar vein, a plant near Carnesville will begin this fall to use chicken litter to produce electricity.

Landfill gas and poultry litter might not seem as glamorous as solar cells and wind turbines, but they are currently the most costeffective options in our area. Research continues in ways to expand into fully-renewable sources.

It's So Easy Being Green

Green energy in Middle Georgia is purchased in 100 or 150 kilowatthour blocks through a subscription, and it's easy to sign up. Flint Energies customers can call 478- 988-3930 or search for Green Power at www. flintenergies. com to learn more. Georgia Power customers call 1-800-735-7791 or visit www. georgiapower. com/green. Each block of green power adds less than $5 to what we are already paying each month.

Businesses and congregations can also sign up for green power blocks to reduce their impact on the environment.

Step by Step

Maybe the budget can't handle a complete switch to green power right now. A great way to start is to commit to one block per month; this covers about 10-15% of an average household. Then as you save energy with new habits, you can invest in more blocks of green energy. Pretty soon your home will be off fossil fuels with money to spare.

Sustainable lifestyles are critical in caring for this magnificent creation which is entrusted to us. If each of us in our Christian fellowship supports green power with our wallets as well as our prayers, renewable energy sources should soon flourish.

To learn more about the future of clean energy here in the Peach State, let's carpool to Georgia Conservancy's Common Ground conference September 6 and 7 in Atlanta. Step by step, our journey continues for His Creation.

Vicki Coulter is a volunteer with The Climate Project and gives Environmental Stewardship presentations in Middle Georgia.