Press Mention GA Public Broadcasting January 27, 2021
SACE Quoted
COVID-19 Hampers Georgia Power's Efficiency Efforts In 2020
In this mention
Georgia Power fell significantly short of its 2020 energy efficiency goals due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The utility halted efficiency programs and in-home services in March 2020, achieving only 27% of its 15% efficiency improvement target by September. Forest Bradley-Wright of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy noted that Georgia Power implemented some of the strictest COVID protection measures among regional utilities.
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COVID-19 Hampers Georgia Power's Efficiency Efforts In 2020
January 28, 2021 3:11 PM
By:
Georgia Power planned to improve energy efficiency in 2020, but COVID-19 protection measures led the utility to fall far short of its goal.
A new report finds the coronavirus pandemic disrupted Georgia Power's plans to improve energy efficiency in 2020.
The utility had planned to increase efficiency by 15 percent last year, with steps like home improvements and refrigerator recycling. But then COVID-19 hit.
In March 2020, Georgia Power stopped its efficiency programs and marketing.
Forest Bradley-Wright of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said Georgia Power had some of the strictest COVID protection measures of any utility in the region.
"They really would not do any in-home, any in-person contact, even when other utilities were doing so with new safety protocols," he said.
By September, Georgia Power was only 27 percent of the way toward its efficiency goal. As the pandemic continues, the SACE report predicts a shortfall in 2021 as well.
Making homes more energy-efficient lowers power bills and can also help lower carbon emissions.