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Participation Process
Want to Participate in Sawnee’s PURPA Activities?
Sawnee EMC, as a covered non-regulated utility, is required
to: 1) consider, and 2) determine whether it is appropriate
to implement the new PURPA standard (an additional standard
may need to be considered upon request, if Sawnee EMC serves
an industrial waste heat recovery site that is listed on a
federal registry to be published in the future). To
facilitate consideration of this standard, Sawnee must
provide notice and hold a hearing. Outlined below is an
overview of the public hearing process and the written
determination that will be rendered as a result of this
review.
Why Hold a Public Hearing?
PURPA requires that utilities such as Sawnee seek comments
from its members and other affected individuals. The
procedures for conducting this public hearing have been
established by Sawnee, and incorporate certain elements
mandated by PURPA itself.
What Determines How the Hearing Will be Held?
On November 20, 2008, Sawnee’s Board of Directors adopted a
procedural manual to govern Sawnee’s PURPA hearing. The
manual, which is entitled “Rules for Conducting Proceedings
Required by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of
1978 (as amended by the Electricity Modernization Act of
2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007)
Smart Grid Investments Hearing Manual”, is available both on
this Web site and at Sawnee’s headquarters.
In addition to establishing the procedures by which Sawnee’s
PURPA hearing will be conducted, the manual provides
information on who may intervene and participate in such
hearing. The hearing will take place at Sawnee EMC’s
headquarters on May 5, 2009, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Questions about the public hearing should be directed to
Sawnee’s PURPA Officer (see
Contact Us).
How Will I know What is Decided?
After considering the new PURPA standard, Sawnee’s Board of
Directors will determine whether it is appropriate to
implement the new PURPA standard. According to PURPA, this
determination must be:
1.
in writing;
2.
based upon findings included in such determination and upon
the evidence presented at the hearing; and
3.
available to the public.
Ultimately, the determination on implementing the new PURPA
standard will be based on if their adoption will:
1.
encourage the conservation of energy supplied by Sawnee,
2.
optimize of the efficiency of use of facilities and
resources by Sawnee, and
3.
provide equitable rates to Sawnee’s consumers.
4.
Additionally, other objectives and values based on Georgia
law and accepted business practices will properly be taken
into account.
When Should I know Sawnee’s Decision on these Standard?
On August 20, 2009, Sawnee's Board of Directors issued its
written Final Determination based on the record for the
hearing and the testimony filed in this proceeding.
To read this Final Determination,
click here.
The Board's Final Determination will be mailed to each
Formal Party of Record, posted on Web site for 180 days and
is available upon request at Sawnee's headquarters.
Got Questions?
Questions about the written determination should be directed
to Sawnee’s PURPA Officer (see
Contact
Us).
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