Mitchell noted that the program to recycle enormous amounts of coal ash at Plant Bowen is part of the company’s efforts to find “new and innovative ways to reuse coal ash that is beneficial to our customers and our communities.”
But, the future of Plant Bowen is uncertain, Capitol Beat reported. Two of the plant’s four coal-burning units were due to be retired by 2028 under a proposal Georgia Power sent to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) in January.
“As the largest partnership of its kind in the U.S., this project will not only use material from landfills and ash ponds, but also keep millions of tons of [carbon dioxide] from going into the atmosphere,” Grant Quasha, CEO of Eco Materials said in a statement.
The decision on whether to close the two units at Plant Bowen by 2028 or wait until a future date likely will not affect the viability of the beneficial reuse project, said Bobby Baker, an energy lawyer representing Atlanta-based sustainability nonprofit Southface Institute in the IRP case.
Capitol Beat noted that the installation of infrastructure necessary for the work at Plant Bowen will begin at once, with ash removal expected to begin by 2024.
The PSC will vote later in July on the agreement as part of Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), an update the public utility provides every three years on the mix of energy sources it will rely upon for the next 20 years to meet the needs of its customers.
“The harvested material will be used in concrete to make stronger and longer-lasting bridges and roads and serve as a model for helping forward-thinking utilities like Georgia Power and [its parent] Southern Company close landfills and ash ponds while building a greener and more sustainable planet.”Currently, Georgia Power recycles 85 percent of all ash and gypsum, including more than 90 percent of fly ash, it produces from operations for various concrete and other construction“Findingproducts.andsecuring these opportunities to beneficially use coal ash will not only reduce and save space in landfills,” said Aaron Mitchell, Georgia Power’s vice president of environmental affairs, “[but it] will also serve as a financial tool to help offset the cost of ash pond closures for our customers.”Georgia Power is spending $9 billion on a multi-year plan to close all 29 of its ash ponds at 11 coal-burning power plants across the state. While ash is be excavated and removed from 19 of the ponds, the other 10 are scheduled to be closed in place, according to Capitol Beat, an Atlantabased news service.
He added, “As the largest project of its kind in this country, this project at Plant Bowen is historic for our company, and our entire industry, and we see the potential to expand beneficial use projects further in the future.”
An agreement was reached in June, though, between Georgia Power and the PSC’s Public Interest Advocacy Staff that would leave that decision up to the commission.
“There’s sufficient coal ash on site right now to provide adequate supply for several years for their program,” he told Capitol Beat.
Georgia Power to Repurpose Coal Ash Into Concrete Products Photo courtesy of Georgia Power Plant Bowen GEORGIA STATE EDITION A Supplement to: Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479 ® “The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.” September 7 2022 Vol. XXIII • No. 18 CALL 800-367-4937 *On approved credit Financing Available SHIP WITHIN 48 HOURS SAME DAY PARTS AVAILABILITY 24 HOUR TECHNICAL SUPPORT BACKED BY A 75 YEAR BUSINESS State Supplement sponsored by: Affordable Price. Premium Service. Thousands in Service!
Plant Bowen’s Fate Still Unclear Repurposing coal ash is critically important in that it contains contaminants including mercury, cadmium and arsenic that can pollute groundwater, drinking water and the air.
Georgia Power recently announced plans to recycle more than nine million tons of coal ash stored at the state’s Plant Bowen site at a pace of about 600,000 tons per year, making it the largest beneficial use project of its kind in the United States.Yahoo Finance! reported that the landmark coal ash project at Cartersville’s Plant Bowen facility will later be excavated for use in creating concrete to build bridges, roads and buildings across Georgia and the southeast.
“The coal ash at Bowen can be reused regardless of whether or not the power plant itself retires,” added Charline Whyte, senior campaign representative of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Georgia. “It would be a huge mistake to view the plant as a coal ash factory when the power it produces is costing customers millions in excess costs and still pollutes air and water.”
Utah-based Eco Materials Technologies, the nation’s leading producer of sustainable cement alternatives, will manage the project at Plant Bowen for Georgia Power.
Page 2 • September 7, 2022 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Georgia State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide O Y NTHE OURR O ELINE EPUT EEVER INATO YY IS YDA olus SSale JtengineeredpyeetkahTttieegWdteeunoYopeeskboY unnid rnp au up yoeet khas ttion . Pyentalit” monet dt igeh a “wit t nug oollin. Rwardorg fovinu mo hg takinn meee b’vy wehs what’ fife eord mnr aastee font dt ieo g eeps kimeline. Tougherg ttinget . ng. terAffrovidin achinesw me ovesg mie b ficiently. terhorg stinget g A tachicm.us HtachConstructonMachineryAmercasInc ustomr cud yon. Atd ineare eu’ve yoBecaus hi te ivesers der Atlanta, GA 404-696-7210 Birmingham, AL 205-841-6666 Madison, AL 256-350-0006 Mobile, AL 251-633-4020 Montgomery, AL 334-262-6642 Oxford, AL 256-832-5053 Pensacola, FL 850-479-3004 Tuscaloosa, AL 205-848-4147800-239-2694 | COWIN.COM We are your NEW Hitachi Excavator dealer!
Construction Equipment Guide • Georgia State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • September 7, 2022 • Page 3
The GUCA Lifetime Achievement Award honors members who have served the utility construction industry and GUCA.
Denniscommittees.Taylor&Company Inc. specializes in grading and underground utility construction in Georgia. The company was founded in 1974 with one backhoe and a lot of ambition. During the 1970s and 1980s, the company grew to become one of Georgia’s largest equipment rental and grading companies. Through hard work and discipline, the company was able to expand into site work contracting in the 1990s. In April 2016, Burleigh joined Dennis Taylor and Company Inc. as the general manager. With more than 27 years of experience in the construction industry, he has been involved with projects all over the United States, the majority in Georgia. He started as a field engineer during the preOlympics in 1995 and has moved his way through different positions and opportunities, always taking on new challenges and never saying no. Burleigh’s responsibilities include overall management of the company, sales and client relations, operational excellence and strategicBurleighplanning.willserve
After 43 years of working in the industry, Accetturo, a “founding father” of Georgia Utility Contactors Association Inc. as it is known today, decided to form Legacy Water Group in 2014 with co-founders Gary Harber, Scott Hibbard, Jeff Kleblowski and Gregg Hibbard. This is a partnership created by longtime co-workers and friends. Legacy’s work focus is building municipal projects for cities and counties.
Brian Burleigh (All photos courtesy of GUCA)
Senator Lindsey Tippins
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Tippins backed House Bill 1372 (Changes to GUFPA) in the Senate Regulated Industries Subcommittee, and it passed in Committee and passed in the full Senate unanimously. He worked on passing House Bill 1372 with Representative Vance Smith’s special committee appointed by the House Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications Committee, and it passed the full House unanimously. The governor signed House Bill 1372 May 3, 2022.Tippins was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He represents northwest Cobb County. Tippins, a Republican, serves as the chairman of the Education and Youth Committee. In addition, he serves as a member of the Administrative Affairs; Appropriations; Natural Resources and the Environment; and Transportation committees.
with newly elected
Lifetime AchievementIndustryAwards
Over the past five decades, Accetturo has served in the following company leadership positions: general manager Olin/GA Corp (1977-1982); vice president/Trescon Corp (1982-1989); executive vice president/Reynolds Inc. (1989-2010); president/Layne Heavy Civil (2010-2014); and president/Legacy Water Group (2014-present).Accetturo has remained active on the state and the national level representing the utility construction industry. His objective has
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GUCA officers and directors: 1st Vice President Bobby Touhy, Ruby-Collins Inc.; 2nd Vice President Jason Lee, Integral Municipal Services Corporation; Secretary Charity Rutledge, JDS Inc.; Treasurer Kenya Simmons, T&J Industries Development & Contracting Inc.; Directors Trey Bradbury, Strack Inc., Scott Burton, Legacy Water Group LLC, Matt Crawford, Crawford Grading & Pipeline Inc., Pamela Davis, Davis Underground Solutions LLC, James Farnsworth, Dirt Work Grading & Construction Inc., David Gilleland, Clyde Gilleland Contractor Inc., Danny McElwaney, Helix Group Inc., Russell Swafford, Vertical Earth Inc. and Justin Thompson, RDJE Inc.; and Associate Directors: Jeff Duncan, Tractor & Equipment Company, Kevin Reinecke, Ferguson Waterworks and Ex-Officio David Westrick, Ruby-Collins Inc.
GUCA Elects Its 2022-2023 President, Board Members
Golden Shovel LegislativeService Award GUCA has awarded the 2022 Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award once again to Senator Lindsey Tippins. This is Tippins’ sixth time to receive this award and it is in recognition of his service to the utility construction industry. While others help GUCA members, it is Tippins who sticks his neck out for the utility contractors, according to the association.
The Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. (GUCA) recently elected Brian Burleigh, Dennis Taylor & Company Inc., Lawrenceville, Ga., as the 2022-2023 GUCA president at the 2022 GUCA Annual Conference in Panama City Beach, Fla. Burleigh has served on the GUCA board of directors as 1st vice president 2021-2022; 2nd vice president 2020-2021; secretary/treasurer 2019-2020; and board of directors 2017-2019. He also has served on the GUCA finance, legislative, membership and PAC
Morgan County resident Mark Accetturo, Legacy Water Group LLC, and Henry County resident Vikki Consigliowere were each presented with a GUCA Lifetime Industry Achievement Award of the Year for 2021-2022 at the conference. Gov. Brian Kemp also gave Accetturo a commendation for his work and this award.
Mark Accetturo Bobby Touhy Vikki Consiglio see GUCA
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The GUCA Safety & Educational Program became an immediate priority for Consiglio. Over the years, this program has achieved excellence and recognition with national awards. The GUCA Safety Department has become an industry leader in providing safety and education training for the utility construction industry. This is a department she envisioned with no limitations and now it exists with a new training facility and mobile training units. Under her leadership, GUCA safety serves the entire state of AfterGeorgia.39years in the non-profit construction trade association arena, Consiglio continues to be a leader. She serves on many industry boards and committees and is a recognized advocate and voice for the utility construction industry in Georgia. She has served as board member of the Henry County Zoning Board; member of and chaired the Ocmulgee Basin Advisory Council of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water District; member of and chaired the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation Commission; current vice-chairman of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission; and serves on the board of two scholarship foundations. She currently is the assistant treasurer of the Georgia GOP and has served as secretary and 3rd vice-chair of the Henry County Republican Party and finance chair for the 3rd District GOP. A few of her awards and recognitions include NAWIC’s Crystal Vision Award, NUCA Chapter Executive Director of the Year and Southeast Association Executive of the Year.
GUCA Awards Service, Achievement at Annual Conference
Accetturo served as 2004 NUCA president and awarded NUCA Ditchdigger of the Year in During1998.her career, Consiglio has worked for the Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC) and been a member the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) – Atlanta Chapter, serving on its committees, the board, and later becoming the president of the NAWIC. She also became a certified OSHA 10–30hour instructor and taught Sexual Harassment Awareness Seminars around the state.Consiglio became GUCA executive director in 1995. She worked diligently to take GUCA events to the next level with the GUCA Annual Conference, quarterly meetings and tradeshows, golf tournament, sporting clay tournament, Legislative Awareness Day, Winter Management Conference and industry meetings.
Yanmar America has announced a donation to Advocates for Children, a non-profit organization that provides services to children and families who have been the victims of abuse and neglect.
Jeff Albright, president of Yanmar America presented the donation to Rachel Castillo, president and CEO of Advocates for Children at a ceremony at Yanmar’s Adairsville, Ga., headquarters. “The strength of our community is built on the bonds of our families and our children, and Advocates for Children provides various programs to reduce the incidence of child abuse and make a real, positive impact on families,” said Albright. “As a part of the local community, Yanmar America is proud to support society through its volunteer activities and donations.”
Cherokee County resident Bobby Touhy, Ruby-Collins Inc., was presented with the GUCA Contractor Member of the Year for 2021-2022 at the conference. Gov. Kemp also gave Touhy a commendation for his work and this award.
always been for the betterment and advancement of all utility contractors. He has been an active member of GUCA since 1977. His service with GUCA includes membership committee, community service committee, board of directors, 1997 GUCA president, and 1998-1999 GUCA Contractor of the Year. He also has helped GUCA win numerous national awards.
Touhy feels the utility construction industry is strong, but supply chain issues and lack of workforce are challenges for everyone in the“Theindustry.outlook for the industry in general looks very strong in Georgia in part due to strong leadership at the state and local levels. Companies are coming to Georgia for business opportunities that can only be found here. We believe Ruby-Collins is well diversified and has the resources available in our management and employees to grow the company.”Asanactive GUCA member, Touhy has served as 2018-2019 membership committee chairman; 2019-2020 PAC committee chairman; 2020-2021 finance committee chairman; 2020-2021 community service committee chairman; 2021-2022 building committee chairman; and 2021-2022 policy and planning committee chairman. He has served on the GUCA board of directors since 2018, including 2020-2021 treasurer, and 2021-2022 secretary. For more information, visit www.guca.com.
This donation represents money raised by Yanmar America employees through bake drives, raffles, weekly jeans days, participation in Advocates for Children’s own duck derby and other activities.
“Advocates for Children thanks Yanmar America for its generous donation,” said Castillo. “The support of our corporate partners is crucial in helping us deliver services to the Yanmarcommunity.”America’s cooperation builds on previous work with children’s charities and is part of its ongoing engagement with the local community, to support people’s lives and realize a better future for all.
GUCA from page 4
Jeff Albright, president of Yanmar America presented the donation to Rachel Castillo, president and CEO of Advocates for Children at a ceremony at Yanmar’s Adairsville, Ga., headquarters.
Yanmar Makes Donation to Georgia’s Advocates for Children
Contractor Member of the Year
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For more information about Advocates for Children, visit advochild.org/
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