Don't build more power lines than are necessary

In this mention

Sara Barczak, Safe Energy Director at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, argues in a letter to the editor that Georgia is proposing more transmission lines than necessary. She contends that energy efficiency programs could substantially reduce energy demand and the need for new lines, noting that Georgia ranks 44th nationally in utility spending on efficiency programs.

Energy efficiency programs, however, could substantially reduce that demand and thus the need for new lines.
Sara Barczak

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Letters to the Editor

Don't build more power lines than are necessary

The Feb. 16 article on power lines ("Lobby aims to take power away from power companies") did not highlight that there are probably a lot more transmission lines being proposed in Georgia than are necessary.

Those lines would primarily serve the increased energy demand caused by the state's growth. Energy efficiency programs, however, could substantially reduce that demand and thus the need for new lines.

Efficiency programs are often cheaper than building power plants and transmission lines, but Georgia ranks 44th in the country in utility spending on such programs, according to a 2000 study.

Georgia utilities are not supportive of efficiency programs because they reduce their electricity sales and utility revenues are directly linked to electricity sales.

Georgia utilities are planning to build a large number of transmission lines. For the sake of our environment and wallet, Georgia's elected officials need to make sure those lines are necessary.

SARA BARCZAK
Safe Energy Director
Southern Alliance
for Clean Energy
Savannah