NEWS RELEASE

Atlanta – The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is excited to announce that six facilities will be equipped with solar panels in the first phase of the Solar Atlanta Program.

The program, which is directed by the Mayor’s Office of Resilience, is part of Solar Atlanta, a renewable energy initiative that currently aims to install solar panels at 28 municipal facilities. “

Clean, renewable energy sources are investments that advance the City’s efforts to combat climate change and further our commitment to sustainability—saving millions of tax dollars a year in the process” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “The Solar Atlanta program not only reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, but leaves a more sustainable, equitable city for future generations.”

These installations are made possible through a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Cherry Street Energy which allows the City to access solar power with no upfront costs.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Resilience, Cherry Street Energy, and other City Departments in the effort to reduce our carbon footprint,” said DWM Commissioner Mikita Browning. “Once installed at these six facilities, which include the Chattahoochee and Hemphill Water Treatment Plants, these solar panels will provide a significant energy-cost savings.”

Cherry Street Energy powers cities, businesses, and institutions with renewable energy. They partner with Georgia Power and set up solar projects at no cost to their customers. The customers then pay directly for solar energy.

“This partnership with the Department of Watershed Management reflects the City of Atlanta’s continued leadership and commitment to renewable energy,” said Cherry Street Energy CEO Michael Chanin.

“Clean Energy Atlanta is our plan to equitably transition to 100% Clean Energy by 2035,” said Shelby Busó, Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “This expansion of Solar Atlanta is a giant leap forward in achieving the City’s goals and the Office of Resilience is excited about implementing clean energy strategies with the Department of Watershed Management and city-wide.”

For more information about the Solar Energy Program, please visit www.atlantaga.gov, www.100atl.com, or Cherry Street Energy at www.cherrystreetenergy.com.

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www.atlantawatershed.org