2022 CC Transition Report Spreads Flat Final - Flipbook - Page 18
Plant McIntosh land use leads to
environmental benefit
In Effingham County, Georgia, after Plant McIntosh’s
coal unit was retired, combined cycle units powered
by natural gas remain on-site at the 2,000-acre site,
located on the Savannah River.
The Savannah River is heavily utilized by large
container ships coming in and out of the Port of
Savannah. To stay competitive and maintain its
status as one of the largest ports in the U.S., the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in collaboration with
the Georgia Department of Transportation and
Georgia Ports Authority initiated the Savannah
Harbor Deepening project. This project, which is
nearing completion, provides an additional 5-feet
of channel capacity and enables the Port to attract
newer, bigger container ships. Deepening the Harbor
creates the potential for decreased dissolved oxygen
levels when river flows from upstream are lower
and the tide is flowing in. Since aquatic species
and the fragile ecosystem in the Harbor depend on
consistent levels of dissolved oxygen, the Corps
and its partners are injecting oxygen into the river
and Harbor from two sites to offset the effects of
the deepening.
Birmingham’s Powell Avenue Steam Plant to yet again fuel downtown growth
The Powell Avenue Steam Plant, built in 1895, provided steam and electricity for downtown Birmingham
businesses, and was essential to the city’s growth by powering its streetcar system.
Now the former plant – which Alabama Power acquired in the 1950s and operated until 2013 – is set to once
again help fuel the city’s growth.
Commitment to Justice
Southern Company’s Moving to Equity framework
includes a commitment to energy justice, including
a Just Transition and environmental justice.
Southern Company has committed to contribute
$225 million through 2025 to advance racial equity
and social justice in our communities. Included in
this commitment – alongside education, criminal
justice reform and economic empowerment – is
$25 million dedicated to energy justice which will
be used for energy assistance as well as job training
and economic support for communities, particularly
as we seek to decarbonize and ultimately reach a
net zero GHG emissions future. The fair treatment
and involvement of our neighbors and customers,
including minority and low-income communities,
is essential to building and sustaining communities.
Our formal work in this area is just beginning,
and we look forward to sharing information on
our progress.
Using land acquired from the Plant McIntosh site,
the Corps built its upstream oxygen injection on the
Savannah River. The injected dissolved oxygen flows
downstream toward the Port, providing a better
environment for species in the river and highlighting
another beneficial use of a retired generating plant
that can benefit the environment.
Plans to redevelop the 85,000-square-foot historic Powell Avenue Steam Plant and surrounding Parkside
District into a mixed-use entertainment venue and connectivity hub were announced by a major real estate
development company in 2022.
Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams noted during a press conference that the former plant has been
“an integral part of Birmingham’s history for more than 125 years.”
“Through public-private partnerships, redeveloping the steam plant will help bring more Birmingham residents
downtown while also supporting tourism and economic development efforts to propel our city into the
future. Adding yet another major neighborhood anchor in the heart of downtown will be a gamechanger for
Birmingham,” Williams said.
With the former plant’s first new tenant slated to open for business in the fall of 2023, Powell Avenue
Steam Plant is expected to serve as a catalyst for intentional, inclusive growth and to promote economic
development that improves the quality of life for all residents and visitors to the city.
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