A stitch in time saves nine
When I was the lone grandchild of my paternal grandmother, I was her hobby – and that included teaching me some sewing skills. The old expression “a stitch in time saves nine” came from that era and simply means to fix problems when they are small to avoid larger problems in the future. Believe or not, the adage applies to the energy world too, and is on full display in Texas now. But could this happen in Georgia?
As the snow started falling in Texas and temperatures dropped, people huddled at home and cranked up the thermostat. Energy demand spiked across a chilly Texas, but things started to go wrong on all energy platforms. There were unplanned outages from every fuel type: a pump broke at a nuclear power plant, wind turbines froze in place, natural gas flow to power plants was restricted because of heavy home usage, and equipment failed at coal plants. In other words, the fabric was ripping across the state of Texas.
In Georgia, we use our triennial energy planning period to do stitching as we find small tears in our system. The most important stitch is that of a diversified fuel mix. We’ve kept our cleanest coal plants where we have invested in billions in pollution scrubbers. We have increased our gas plants five-fold.
Responding to the market, we have added solar to the grid with appropriate backup. These panels provide an important homegrown energy source that helps during our peak energy periods every day.
And despite all odds, we have persisted with building two Westinghouse nuclear reactors that will power 500,000 homes and will run for 18 months without refueling. The welltrained and well-staffed craft labor force at our plants are showing the world that America can build the most sophisticated energy plant in the world, greatly bolstering our state economy in the process. The plant will last 80 years.
Another stitch we have made is resisting the temptation to deregulate the power system in Georgia.
We are still a “regulated” state, meaning that from the power plant to the meter behind your house, the power company, with PSC oversight, is responsible and has complete control of ensuring reliability. Like most states, Georgia asks its utilities to do reserve margin studies and plan for the worst event that could happen in any given decade. ERCOT – the Electric Reliability Council of Texas – is a deregulated energyonly market. In general, deregulation can lead to a lower standard of preventive maintenance at plants and lower reserve margins – both driven by a desire to save money.
In Georgia, we have sewn into our fabric a winter planning reserve margin approaching 26%. In fact, the
Georgia PSC reviewed the level of contingency in 2020, and allowed Georgia Power to substantially increase their planning strategy for moments just like Texas is experiencing. Why? Because in 2019 we noted a small “tear” that identified a key winter reliability risk.
To fix this, numerous stitches were made including the narrowing of the difference between summer and winter weather-normal peak loads, higher volatility of winter peak demands relative to summer peak demands, cold-weather-related unit outages, the penetration of solar resources, increased reliance on natural gas, and market purchase availability.
But we are not perfect. There is no doubt that if we experienced single digit temperatures – especially for an extended period — it would stretch the fabric. Throw in some freezing rain that brings down pine trees on power lines, and it probably gets worse. But the attentive stitching that my colleagues and I do alongside our staff and the utilities has proven to be a stitch in time.
We’re not perfect, but we have a proven strategy. And once Texas digs out of this storm, I am sure Georgia and all states will draw on the lessons learned from their experience. In the meantime, prayers for Texas as they recover.
WEDNESDAY
The Highland Rivers Health Governing Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, via teleconference. The meeting is open to the public. For additional information, please call 706/270-5000.
THURSDAY
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Rome, 17 Pennington Ave., will be giving away free groceries from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. Drive thru only. No ID required.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living will present a free Zoom class, on how they assist people with disabilities, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb 25. Attendees will be entered to win a Visa gift card. Email Christina Holtzclaw at choltzclaw@ nwgacil.org for the meeting link or call 706-314-0008 for more information.
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Rome, 17 Pennington Ave, will be giving away free groceries. Thursday Feb. 25 from 10am to 1pm. Drive thru only & no ID required.
SATURDAY
Silver Creek United Methodist Church, 36 Reeceburg Road, will sponsor a free community lunch Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. In order to maintain appropriate social distancing, all meals will be take-out only. Guests will be asked to remain in their cars and to drive to the designated pickup area in the church parking lot. This month’s menu includes chili, crackers, carrot and celery sticks, dessert, and drink. For more information, call or text 706506-6493. Everyone is welcome.
UPCOMING
The Friends of the Library Silent Auction is accepting bids through March 1 at 4 p.m. There are five showcases at the library, 205 Riverside Parkway, with a special focus on history books and memorabilia. For a complete list, check the library website, www. shrls.org/romefriends-of-the-library.
The New Romans Club will hold their monthly luncheon at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Coosa Country Club. Cost is $19. Dr. Rebecca Vaughn will discuss her father’s life as a Secret Service agent. Her book on his experiences will be for sale. Please wear a mask when socializing. Social distancing will be in place during the seating. For reservations, contact Jane Franssen at janeffranssen@gmail.com or 434-989-4994.
Chieftains Museum is hosting the 8th Annual Floyd County Seed Swap on Saturday, March 6, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Chieftains Museum will be open for free tours for those who are waiting to attend the seed swap. The event is weather-dependent and will be canceled in case of inclement weather. This year the Seed Swap will be completely outside in the Major Ridge Demonstration Garden at Chieftains. Groups of 10 people will be taken through the garden by guides.
Starting March 7, NAMI Rome is offering an 8-session course on ways to help friends and family members who are living with a mental illness. Family-to-family meets 2.5 hours weekly on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-4 p.m. in Rome. The class size will be limited to follow CDC guidelines. For more information and registration call Bonnie at 706-506-8314.
ONGOING
The Alanon support group meets at Westminster Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., at noon each Wednesday. Everyone is invited to come.
The Our Lady of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Society of Mary meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St. For more information call 706-506-1241.
VFW Post 4911 at 2632 Cedartown Highway hosts Bingo every Friday night. You do not have to be a member to play. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the kitchen opens at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7:30 p.m. Cash prizes.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living holds a COVID-19 Peer Support call every Monday at 2 p.m. via the Zoom website and by phone. For the link and password, or if you need assistance, contact Christina Holtzclaw at 628-246-1825 or choltzclaw@nwgacil.org.
American Legion Post 136 from Lindale meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the VFW post at 2642 Cedartown Highway. Masks are required.
DAV Chapter 95 meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at VFW Post 4911 on Cedartown Highway. Face masks are required. For more information or assistance in filing VA claims, contact Chapter Commander Art Cook at 334-208-2736.
Pisgah Baptist Church, 5603 Alabama Highway, has Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday worship at 10:50 a.m. On Wednesdays they offer 8:30 a.m. prayers and 7 p.m. Bible study and a youth meeting.
Bush Arbor Baptist Church, 3290 Black’s Bluff Road, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship service at 11 a.m. and evening services at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 770885-0779.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St., meets for Holy Communion Sundays at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. A nursery is provided. For more information call 706-506-1241.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church offers Sunday worship at 10 a.m. broadcast on WLAQ radio station as well as Youtube live streaming. Celtic Service is available on St. Peter’s Facebook at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. For more information, contact the church office at 706-291-9111 or visit stpetersrome.org.
Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC), 1645 Cartersville Highway in Rome, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. traditional communion worship service. Social distancing practiced, masks recommended but not required. For further information, visit Covenantrome.org or call 706767-8373.