1 year ago
33
When Fran Summerlin found out Alabama Power Company was planning a hydro power plant in her backyard earlier this year, she was freightened.“I thought, my whole world is about to fall apart. And I thought, there's no way that I can fight this huge corporation,” Summerlin said.So, she created a group called Save Chandler Mountain to try and preserve her threatened community. The project would have created dual reservoirs which could have provided enough energy to power 400,000 homes a year.Unfortunately, the lower reservoir footprint, would have flooded dozens of farms and homes. Over the last few weeks, Stop the Project signs began popping up all over Steele. Earlier this week, Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh, who regulates Alabama Power, stated she would fight the plans."This is clearly an inefficient method for producing the type of energy required to power a 21st century economy," Cavanaugh said Tuesday.Then, Thursday morning, Alabama Power withdrew its notice of intent to seek a license to operate a facility at Chandler Mountain Thursday."After careful consideration, Alabama Power has decided to withdraw its Notice of Intent to seek a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate a Pumped Storage Hydro facility at Chandler Mountain," the company said in a statement."Our guiding purpose is to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable power to the 1.5 million people and businesses that depend on us. As we look to the future, we recognize that alternative resources as well as energy storage options will be key in meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers."Alabama Power will continue to explore all available technologies with due diligence, striving to power a better Alabama in ways that align with the evolving needs and expectations of our customers. We appreciate the feedback received by all parties involved with the exploration of the Chandler Mountain project."When we contacted Summerlin Thursday morning, she was unaware of the utility's decision."The first thing I did was cry like a baby. And the second thing I did was, thank God. And I just feel like it's a miracle," Summerlin said.
STEELE, Ala. —
When Fran Summerlin found out Alabama Power Company was planning a hydro power plant in her backyard earlier this year, she was freightened.
“I thought, my whole world is about to fall apart. And I thought, there's no way that I can fight this huge corporation,” Summerlin said.
So, she created a group called Save Chandler Mountain to try and preserve her threatened community.
The project would have created dual reservoirs which could have provided enough energy to power 400,000 homes a year.
Unfortunately, the lower reservoir footprint, would have flooded dozens of farms and homes.
Over the last few weeks, Stop the Project signs began popping up all over Steele.
Earlier this week, Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh, who regulates Alabama Power, stated she would fight the plans.
"This is clearly an inefficient method for producing the type of energy required to power a 21st century economy," Cavanaugh said Tuesday.
Then, Thursday morning, Alabama Power withdrew its notice of intent to seek a license to operate a facility at Chandler Mountain Thursday.
"After careful consideration, Alabama Power has decided to withdraw its Notice of Intent to seek a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate a Pumped Storage Hydro facility at Chandler Mountain," the company said in a statement.
"Our guiding purpose is to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable power to the 1.5 million people and businesses that depend on us. As we look to the future, we recognize that alternative resources as well as energy storage options will be key in meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers.
"Alabama Power will continue to explore all available technologies with due diligence, striving to power a better Alabama in ways that align with the evolving needs and expectations of our customers. We appreciate the feedback received by all parties involved with the exploration of the Chandler Mountain project."
When we contacted Summerlin Thursday morning, she was unaware of the utility's decision.
"The first thing I did was cry like a baby. And the second thing I did was, thank God. And I just feel like it's a miracle," Summerlin said.
English (US)