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JEA is working to increase its use of "green" energy - that is, renewable resources like solar power, biomass from plants wind, and landfill gas. In fact, we've done something unusual for a power company: We've made a public commitment to use green energy sources to generate a significant portion of our electricity.
In 1999, JEA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sierra Club and the American Lung Association of Florida detailing our commitment to generate at least 7.5 percent of our electricity from green energy sources by 2015. These environmental groups are providing input as we determine the best ways to achieve this goal.
Here's what we're doing already:
- JEA assumes part of the cost for residential and commercial customers who want to install solar hot water heaters or photovoltaic systems at their homes or businesses (click here for more information).
- We've placed 29 photovoltaic (solar) power generating systems on high schools and other community buildings in our service area, for which we received the 2001 Solar Electric Power Association Award of Solar Program Achievement. We're planning to install seven more solar systems in 2002.
- We're providing training and curricula to high school teachers so they can teach their students about solar energy.
- We generate green energy by burning methane gas from one of our sewage treatment plants and from several local landfills, capturing the energy that would be lost if we merely burned off the gas.
- We've entered into an agreement to purchase energy produced exclusively with biomass (burning plant material) from a firm in south Florida.
- We're installing solar power systems at University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Florida Community College of Jacksonville and have partnered with these institutions to perform solar research and train the local work force in solar system sales, installation, maintenance and repair.
JEA is continuing to explore the potential of wind and other green sources of electricity for use in northeast Florida. As green energy technologies progress, we plan to remain in the forefront of utilities who are using them.
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