The Clean Energy Generation is making progress every day here in the Southeast. From Tallahassee opening EV charging stations, to Atlanta giving out E-bike rebates, to Loretto switching to LED streetlights, our clean energy future is becoming a reality. Take a look at just six of the many local signs of clean energy adoption we’ve seen in the Southeast so far this year.
Chatham County Slashes Utility Bills by Cutting Energy Waste
Ratepayers in Chatham County, Georgia have seen a 30% increase in their electric bills in just three years. Now, in an effort to cut energy waste and slash utility bills, the county is targeting high-energy-use municipal buildings for energy efficient upgrades — from new light bulbs to more intensive retrofits. Identified targets include the county’s civil rights museum, aquatic center, and former courthouse. Read more.
Tallahassee Opens Its First Flagship EV Charging Station
Tallahassee is plugging into the future. The city recently opened its first flagship EV charging station near Florida A&M University. Two additional charging stations are already in the works, one across the road from the Southside Transit Center and another on West Tharpe Street near North MLK Boulevard. All three chargers are part of the city’s goal to use 100% clean energy by 2050. Read more.
Atlanta E-bike Rebate Program Curbs Driving by 40%
Atlanta’s e-bike rebate program returned for another year after a successful launch. Previous rebate recipients, who each received between $500 and $2,000 for a standard or cargo e-bike, drove a whopping 40% less each week. In addition to keeping cars off the road, the program also boosted locally owned bike shops. The 12 participating shops saw a $1.2 million jump in sales. Read more.
Loretto Switches All of Its Streetlights to LED
Talk about a bright idea! The city of Loretto, Tennessee is switching all of its streetlights to LED fixtures. The energy-efficient switch will not only illuminate larger areas and improve public safety, but will also reduce maintenance costs and save taxpayers money. The project will even replace the lights at the city’s baseball and softball fields. Read more.
Alpharetta Police Department Opens Four EV Fast Chargers
One Georgia police department is charging ahead. The city of Alpharetta recently opened four EV fast chargers at the city’s police headquarters. Delivering about 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes, these chargers will not only power the department’s electric patrol vehicles, but will also increase charging accessibility for the entire community. Read more.
Raleigh Sees an Increase in Public Transit Ridership
Trading pumps for passes. As gas prices rise, the public transit system serving North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area has seen an increase in ridership. April brought a 32% bump in riders compared to 2025, while March brought a 28% bump. Several people can ride the bus for free, including adults who receive Medicaid, SNAP or EBT benefits, or have a household income below $35,000. Read more.
Follow along each week
These stories highlight just a few of the positive things happening in our area! Every day, we see signs of hope. The Clean Energy Generation is creating a future powered by clean energy that leads to clean air and water, good jobs, and vibrant communities.
Would you like to see more stories like this? We’ve got just the thing for you! Every Thursday, we share the latest clean energy news on Instagram with #CleanEnergyNews. Join us as we celebrate the progress and signs of hope in the clean energy transition.
Join the Clean Energy Generation
Together, all of us who are taking action are part of the Clean Energy Generation movement. We’re coming together to create healthier communities and a more secure and sustainable environment, starting now. No matter your age, income, zip code, or abilities, you can play a role. You don’t have to have the answers; learning more is a great way to start. Join us, and we’ll share ideas, resources, tools, and practices to show how we can all be part of the transformation.
