Sunny days are here
April 2016
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Today in Mississippi
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South Mississippi Electric (SME), the cooperative to our members of a price increase that generates the power Coast Electric supplies to its from any one source,” said Mike members, celebrated the first solar power generation Smith, Singing River Electric’s CEO facilities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with ribbon and general manager. “We also see cutting events at Coast Electric Power Association in the solar facility as a great opportuniKiln and Singing River Electric Power Association in ty for education and a new learning Lucedale. experience for our local students.” The smaller-scale installations of 100 kW or less “Coast Electric continually strives are the first two of five such facilities SME plans to to improve the quality of life of our construct and operate. SME provides electricity to 11 members and make our communities Coast Electric and South Mississippi Electric left: Andrew Hinkebein, southern district distribution cooperative members, which include better places to work and live,” said (SME) officials, along with local and state representative for Sen. Roger Wicker; Rep. dignitaries, cut a ribbon in celebration of David Baria; Richard Dossett, Gordon Redd Coast and Singing River Electric Power Associations. Bob Occhi, Coast Electric’s president SME’s new solar generation facility located and Doug Mooney, Coast Electric board Not-for-profit cooperative SME announced in June and CEO. “Solar power will provide at Coast Electric headquarters in Kiln. The members; Bob Occhi, Coast Electric President 2015 that it would build the facilities and begin oper- an environmentally friendly source of facility is one of five solar plants throughout and CEO; Gil Arceneaux, Coast Electric Board ations in first quarter 2016. Coast and Singing River electricity and one of our principles is the state and will be part of the electric Chairman; Scotty Adam of the Hancock Electric both agreed to provide land for the facilities, concern for the community, and that power generation mix for SME and its mem- County Board of Supervisors; Nathan Brown, ber cooperatives like Coast Electric. From SME COO and Sen. Philip Moran. which are located next to their respective headquarbenefits everyone.” ters. SME plans additional solar sites at several months studying various options and researchSolar is considered one of the leading forms ing proposals for construction of the facilities. of green, or environmentally friendly, energy. Atlanta-based Hannah Solar was selected to conPanels are used to collect sunlight that is construct and oversee the projects. verted into electricity. Additionally, SME has announced a partnership “South Mississippi Electric has entered the with Origis Energy USA for a large solar facility in solar power generation business,” said Jim Lamar County. The 52-MW location will be built Compton, SME’s general manager and CEO. and operated by Origis. SME has committed to pur“Our members have expressed a strong desire chase all electricity generated at the site. for renewable energy to be a larger part of our SME provides electricity to 419,000 customers generation mix. Today we across 55 counties in the state. The company has a took one step toward accomdiverse energy portfolio that includes natural gas, coal, plishing that goal, but not the nuclear, hydropower and solar. This diversity prevents last.” SME from becoming reliant on one energy source and Each of the solar sites is South Mississippi Electric, the cooperative that generates manages fluctuations in prices. approximately one-half acre in power for members of Coast Electric and 10 other coopera“We believe that sunny days are ahead for the comsize and contains 360 panels. tives in the state, recently celebrated the company’s first solar generation facilities at Coast Electric’s headquarters in Kiln and Singing River Electric’s headpany and our members,” said Compton. “Our coopThe smaller sites will allow SME and its members to better determine optimum location, best quarters in Lucedale. There will be a total of five of these small-scale solar facil- eratives are committed to the betterment of our ratepayers, their communities and their environment. technology and proper configuration for larger, ities like these throughout the state, with a much larger solar facility planned to begin operation in 2017. This is just the first of many positive steps we expect utility-scale facilities. in 2016.” The events were attended by elected officials, busi- Southern Pine, Coahoma and Delta Electric Power For more information about South Mississippi ness leaders and chamber members. Associations, and those should be operational in the Electric or future updates on this project, please visit “Solar will enable South Mississippi Electric to coming months. SME, with assistance from the diversify their energy generation and lessen the impact National Renewable Cooperative Organization, spent www.MyElectricCooperative.com.
Coast Electric employees honor combat veterans Coast Electric and co-ops throughout the country support war veterans by volunteering with Ride 2 Recovery, an organization that assists combat veterans with their recovery process. Each year, hundreds of riders participate in the Gulf Coast Challenge, a bike ride from Atlanta to New Orleans. Many participants were severely wounded in combat and ride on bikes specially made for those with prosthetic limbs and/or multiple amputations. Co-ops along the way provide meals or assist riders when they check into and out of hotels, helping with bike storage, luggage, room keys and
more. Coast Electric employees were able to participate for the second year and welcomed riders to the Island View Resort in Gulfport. “We know our part in Ride 2 Recovery is a small one, but we feel it is important to do everything we can to honor our veterans,” said Coast Electric Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations and Member Services Ron Barnes. “These men and women are heroes and we want them to know they have the support of Coast Electric, our employees and our members on their journey to recovery.”
Coast Electric employees Chrissy Morales and Ashley Mayley assist participants in Ride 2 Recovery as they arrive in Gulfport, Miss. These combat veterans began their ride in Atlanta and finished their challenge in New Orleans. Hundreds of combat veterans participate in the ride.