GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2014 VOLUME XIII
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Georgia Invests $45 Million in
Water Supply Infrastructure
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Rebates Available for Energy-Efficient Irrigation Motors 2
GEFA Assists with Water
Infrastructure Projects
2
GEFA Welcomes Three New Members
to its Board of Directors
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GEFA Launches Its New Website
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The Flint River, Albany, Ga.
GEORGIA INVESTS $45 MILLION IN WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE
The Governor's Water Supply Program (GWSP) plans to invest up to $44.9 million in four strategically-located reservoir and water supply projects throughout the state. The projects include expanding the Indian Creek Reservoir; the Glades Reservoir in Hall County; the Richland Creek Reservoir in Paulding County; and a project to test deep aquifer production for the abatement of saltwater intrusion along the Georgia coast.
Led by the Carroll County Water Authority, the Indian Creek Reservoir is a 643-acre planned drinking water supply reservoir. This project adds much needed water storage capacity in the Tallapoosa River Basin that will help meet local water supply needs through 2060, and allows the state greater flexibility to manage flows in the basin during dry periods.
The Glades Reservoir is an 850-acre planned drinking water supply reservoir, which is proposed as a pumped-storage reservoir located on Flat Creek in northern Hall County. The reservoir will provide 11.7 billion gallons of water storage in the Chattahoochee River Basin. The supplemental storage that the Glades project can provide won't compromise the inflows that are relied upon to keep Lake Lanier as near normal pool as is possible, and will be particularly useful during droughts in preserving Lake Lanier storage, which will be beneficial to multiple water users beyond Hall County.
The Richland Creek Reservoir is a 305-acre planned drinking water supply reservoir in northern Paulding County. The Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority currently provides Paulding County with a portion of its drinking water from Lake Allatoona. The Richland Creek Reservoir would free up future demand on Lake Allatoona, and extend the water supply life of Lake Allatoona for the region's water users. The off-loading of this demand will provide more dry weather opportunities for Lake Allatoona to meet a host of water demands both at and below Allatoona, including augmenting flows in the basin to help meet in-stream flow needs.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has been studying and testing the Cretaceous aquifer along Georgia's coast to determine the suitability of the aquifer as a drinking water source. The goal is to potentially lessen demand on the Floridan aquifer and help reduce saltwater intrusion.
State direct investment through the Governor's Water Supply Program presents a unique opportunity to capitalize on projects that address water challenges of broader significance to the state. The four projects awarded funding are the most strategic investments the state can make at this time to secure water supply and to tackle some of Georgia's most significant water supply challenges.
For more information on the Governor's Water Supply Program, visit www.gefa.org.
WWW.GEFA.ORG
GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2014 VOLUME XIII
REBATES AVAILABLE FOR ENERGY-
EFFICIENT IRRIGATION MOTORS
In December, GEFA launched a second round of the Georgia Agricultural Irrigation Motor (AIM) Program, an incentive program designed to help Georgia farmers become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions. The Georgia AIM Program provides farmers with a rebate to replace inefficient diesel irrigation engines with energyefficient electric irrigation motors. The rebates cover 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate available.
The application period opened online at www.gefa.org on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. Available funding is limited and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The application period closes Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 5:00 p.m.
Eligible electric irrigation motor conversion projects must take place in the state of Georgia, and must replace a diesel engine that is at least 10 years old and in service. Rebates will not be provided for projects that were completed prior to the start of the program. The project must be completed by a licensed contractor after notification of rebate approval from GEFA. The electric motor size (horsepower) must be a maximum of 75 percent of the diesel engine it's replacing, with a minimum energy efficiency rating of 85 percent on the new electric motor. The rebate covers 25 percent of the cost of the project, including expenses associated with connecting the electric motor to the power meter, threephase converters and variable frequency drives. The rebate does not cover expenses payable to a power company.
The first round of the program awarded 34 farmers throughout the state with rebates totaling $154,309. The new installations are projected to save 30,167 MMBtus of energy, reducing annual diesel fuel consumption by 217,029 gallons.
GEFA ASSISTS WITH WATER
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
GEFA provided several loans this quarter that helped local communities protect their water supply and quality.
Valdosta received a $36,781,448 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan that will finance the construction of two major pump stations, two minor pump stations, a 6-mile 32-inch and 40-inch force main, a headworks structure with grit removal and bar screens, and a 6-million gallon equalization basin. Wastewater will be gravity fed to the existing site of the Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant for final treatment and discharged utilizing the existing plant outfall, until the relocation of the plant is completed in November 2015. The city will pay 1.40 percent on the 20-year loan. The total cost of the project is $55.4 million.
Covington received a $4.5 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan that will finance approximately 66,000 linear feet of deteriorating 2-, 4-, and 6-inch galvanized and asbestos cement mains with new 8-inch ductile iron pipe, fire hydrants, valves and appurtenances. The city will pay 1.40 percent on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $4.5 million, with GEFA providing the entire amount.
Harris County received a $2,000,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan that will finance the addition of flocculation and sedimentation settling to the treatment process at the county's water plant. The water plant currently withdraws 3 million gallons per day (MGD), but only distributes 2.5 MGD due to water loss during the current treatment process. These improvements will reduce water loss at the water plant and allow the plant to distribute 2.8 MGD of treated water. Harris County will pay 1.40 percent interest on the 20-year loan. The total project cost is $2,000,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.
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GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2014 VOLUME XIII
GEFA WELCOMES THREE NEW MEMBERS TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEFA welcomed three new board members recently Chris Carr, Gretchen Corbin, and Brittany Pittman.
Carr joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development as commissioner in November 2013. He is a member of Gov. Deal's Judicial Nominating Commission, and serves as vice chair of the Richard B. Russell Foundation board. He has formed numerous intergovernmental and community relationships through his participation in Leadership Georgia and the alumni boards of several organizations at the University of Georgia. Prior to joining the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Carr was Chief of Staff for Senator Johnny Isakson. Carr graduated from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and Lumpkin School of Law. He lives in Dunwoody and has a daughter, Mary Clifton.
Corbin took the helm as the commissioner for the Department of Community Affairs on August 1, replacing Commissioner Mike Beatty. Corbin previously served as deputy commissioner for Global Commerce at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). While at GDEcD she served in many capacities, including division director for international operations and director of project managers for existing industry and recruitment. She is involved in a number of professional and civic organizations, serving as Leadership Georgia's vice president and as a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Corbin graduated from Clemson University and the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute. She lives in Rome with her two children and her husband, David.
Pittman is the first elected female to serve as the sole commissioner in Murray County. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Healthcare Partnership, Boys and Girls Club and the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission. Pittman earned a bachelor's degree from Covenant College and a master's degree from Central Michigan University. She and her husband, Anthony, have four children and reside in Chatsworth.
GEFA LAUNCHES ITS NEW WEBSITE
GEFA has a new website! GEFA.org was designed with a fresh look and user-friendly navigation to better serve its stakeholders. The new site went live on December 6.
Visit www.gefa.org to look around and familiarize yourself with the new layout and features.
233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower, Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-584-1000 (Main) 404-584-1069 (Fax)
www.gefa.org
If you wish to add or remove yourself from this newsletter distribution, please email publicaffairs@gefa.ga.gov
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