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Forty (40) high school seniors will enroll in a four-year college/university, community college, and/or vocational school in Alabama this year with help from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) and its 11 Members through the 2023 AMEA Scholarship Program.

Each of the 40 scholarship recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship for a total of $100,000 awarded in this year’s program. AMEA received 138 scholarship applications in the 2023 program.

Since 1992, AMEA and its Members have provided over $3 million in scholarships to the graduating high school seniors who receive their electric service from AMEA Members.

To be eligible for the AMEA scholarships, a student’s family must receive electric service from an AMEA Member city electric utility and the student must attend an Alabama college/university or vocational school.

“We take our role as a good corporate citizen seriously,” said Fred D. Clark, Jr., AMEA President & CEO. “That’s why we, along with our Members, support education initiatives, like the AMEA Scholarship Program, that contribute to making our state economically competitive. We congratulate this year’s scholarship winners.”

This year’s AMEA Academic Scholarship recipients are:
Jada Love Birmingham, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City
Abigail Frances Gilliland, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City
Benton Allen Stegall, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City
Jon Robert Tucker, Horseshoe Bend High School, Alexander City
Angelyse Denae Hanna, Northside Methodist Academy, Dothan
Maxwell Everett Hawker, Houston Academy, Dothan
Whitman Turner Rikard, Providence Christian School, Dothan
Michael Steven Shivers, Jr., Providence Christian School, Dothan
Delaney Shawn Hart, Fairhope High School, Fairhope
Brayden Alberto Mahatekar, St. Michael Catholic High School, Fairhope
Hannah Maren Markioli, Fairhope High School, Fairhope
Richard Winston Smith, Woodberry Forest School, Fairhope Chloe Hwang, Daphne High School, Riviera Utilities
Hope Marie Lindsey, Bayside Academy, Riviera Utilities
MaKenzie Elise Finley, LaFayette High School, LaFayette
Ji’Nysha Shy’Bryan Story, LaFayette High School, LaFayette
Emrald Erieona Wilkins, LaFayette High School, LaFayette
Anna Katherine Smith, Springwood School, Lanett
Jaelin Antonio Truitt, Lanett High School, Lanett
Erian Aniah Winston, Lanett High School, Lanett
Madison Michelle Winston, Lanett High School, Lanett
Sommer Elisabeth Cornelius, Crenshaw Christian Academy, Luverne
Mackenzie Renea Daniel, Luverne High School, Luverne
Micaiah Grace June, Luverne High School, Luverne
Terrence DeAndre Smith, Luverne High School, Luverne
Clara Evelyn Duncan, Trinity Christian School, Opelika
John Christopher Knox, Jr., First Baptist Opelika Christian School, Opelika
Esther Mae Nicholson, Opelika High School, Opelika
Esther Louise Martin, Piedmont High School, Piedmont
Emma Grace Todd, Piedmont High School, Piedmont
Audrey Hazel Bell, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board
Marissa Addison Collins, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board
Jai Cordell Gaddis, B.B. Comer Memorial High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board
Emma Kay Jacobs, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board

This year’s AMEA Community College/Vocational School Scholarship recipients include:
Nicole Taylor Ellis, Baldwin County Virtual School, Riviera Utilities
Taylor Ann-Marie Hunt, Daphne High School, Riviera Utilities
Samantha Danielle Cousins, LaFayette High School, LaFayette
Ronald Reese, Jr., Opelika High School, Opelika
Abbagale Leigh Phillips, Piedmont High School, Piedmont
Trent Scott Young, Piedmont High School, Piedmont

AMEA, a joint action agency formed in 1981, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve approximately 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga and Tuskegee.

The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), in partnership with the City of Piedmont, will dedicate a new 24-kW solar research project (solar canopy) at Piedmont City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m. The AMEA-City of Piedmont Solar Research Project, located in the west parking lot of Piedmont City Hall, 109 North Center Avenue, was completed this month.

The Calhoun County Area Chamber of Commerce will also conduct a ribbon cutting as part of the day’s activities.

AMEA has worked with its other Member cities/utilities, including Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Riviera Utilities, Sylacauga and Tuskegee, to construct solar research projects in each of these communities. The total cost of all 11 projects is approximately $1 million.

“We are proud of the new solar research project in Piedmont as part of our effort to enhance renewable energy in our portfolio,” said Fred Clark, President & CEO, AMEA. “We want to thank the City of Piedmont for its leadership and partnership in this endeavor.”

Also, to help support its 11 Members in implementing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in their communities, AMEA has partnered with the City of Piedmont to install two (2) Level 2 EV chargers under the new solar canopy.

Through the AMEA Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative, AMEA Members have access to $1 million for use in connection with electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as the adoption of EVs in Member utility fleets. Since 2021, several AMEA Members, including the City of Piedmont, have commissioned ChargePoint EV charging stations in their communities through the AMEA Electric Vehicle Charging Initiative.

“Electric utilities can play a pivotal role in the future of transportation electrification,” Clark said. “AMEA plans to continue working with its Members to enable greater electric vehicle adoption through the development of charging infrastructure and EV customer programs and investment in smart grid technologies to manage EV charging.”

AMEA is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, including Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee, which serve some 350,000 customers.

Will you be graduating from high school in the spring of 2023? Do you receive your electricity from a public power utility in Alabama? Then if your answer to these questions is “yes,” you could be eligible to receive a scholarship from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) and its Member cities/utilities. AMEA and its Members will make available 44, $2,500 scholarships (4 scholarships per Member city) in 2023.

Since 1992, AMEA has awarded over $3 million in scholarship monies to graduating high school seniors who receive their electric service from AMEA Members.

To be eligible for an AMEA scholarship, a student’s parent and/or legal guardian must receive electric service from an AMEA Member utility, and the student must attend a four-year college/university, community college, and/or vocational/trade school within the state of Alabama.

Applications are currently available from school counselors in AMEA Member cities, or you can go online to the AMEA web site, www.amea.com, Scholarship. Application deadline is Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.

For more information on the program, contact your school counselor or Pamela Poole, AMEA Scholarship Coordinator, (334) 387-3504, (800) 239-2632, Ext. 1110, or pam@amea.com.

AMEA, a joint action agency formed in 1981 and located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers.

Riviera Utilities has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2021. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.

APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription- based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

“Once again, public power utilities have demonstrated their commitment to providing highly reliable power to their customers.” said Alex Hofmann, APPA’s Vice President of Technical and Operations Services. “We commend these utilities for their hard work when it comes to keeping the lights on in their communities.”

Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do.

Riviera Utilities is a member of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), the wholesale power provider for 11 Member cities including Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley (Riviera Utilities), LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.

The City of Luverne Electric Department has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2021. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community- owned electric utilities.

APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription- based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

“Once again, public power utilities have demonstrated their commitment to providing highly reliable power to their customers.” said Alex Hofmann, APPA’s Vice President of Technical and Operations Services. “We commend these utilities for their hard work when it comes to keeping the lights on in their communities.”

Nationwide, the average public power customer has their lights out for less than half the amount of time that customers of other types of utilities do.

The City of Luverne is a member of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), the wholesale power provider for 11 Member cities including Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley (Riviera Utilities), LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.

Al Cook, former Economic Development Marketing Consultant for the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), was the recipient of the 2022 AMEA President’s Award on Monday, May 2 during the AMEA President’s Awards Dinner in Orange Beach, AL. The event was held in conjunction with the 2022 AMEA Power Supply Conference, May 2 and 3.

The award honors individuals who played a key role in the formation of AMEA, as well as those individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of AMEA’s 11 Member cities. The award is presented in recognition of their continued leadership and dedication to the organization.

“Due to Al’s leadership and commitment to public power, AMEA has become a valued partner in Alabama’s electric utility community,” said Fred Clark, AMEA President & CEO.

Cook’s economic development career began in 1974 with the Alabama Development Office (now the Alabama Department of Commerce). In 1978, he became Human Resource Director in the start-up of five manufacturing facilities in central Alabama. In 1990, he returned to economic development as Senior Vice President of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, Cooke became Economic Development Director of Florida’s Great Northwest, Inc. In 2003, he was hired as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Opelika, of which he held until his retirement in 2011.

AMEA, a joint action agency located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.

Morris Tate, former vice chairman of the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) Board of Directors, and former chairman of the City of Luverne Electric Board, was the recipient of the 2022 AMEA President’s Award on Monday, May 2 during the AMEA President’s Awards Dinner in Orange Beach, AL. The event was held in conjunction with the 2022 AMEA Power Supply Conference, May 2 and 3.

The award honors individuals who played a key role in the formation of AMEA, as well as those individuals who have made significant contributions to the betterment of AMEA’s 11 Member cities. The award is presented in recognition of their continued leadership and dedication to the organization.

“Due to Morris’ leadership and commitment to public power, AMEA has become a valued partner in Alabama’s electric utility community,” said Fred Clark, AMEA President & CEO.

Tate, who served as vice chairman of the AMEA Board of Directors and chairman of the Budget/Audit/Rate (BAR) Committee, retired from the board in June 2021. He had served on the AMEA Board since 2003.

AMEA, a joint action agency located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.

Forty (40) high school seniors will enroll in a four-year college/university, community college, and/or vocational school in Alabama this year with help from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) and its Members through the 2022 AMEA Scholarship Program.

Each of the 40 scholarship recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship for a total of $100,000 awarded in this year’s program. AMEA received 156 scholarship applications in the 2022 program.

Since 1992, AMEA and its Members have provided over $3 million in scholarships to the graduating high school seniors who receive their electric service from AMEA Members.

To be eligible for the AMEA scholarships, a student’s family must receive electric service from an AMEA Member city electric utility and the student must attend an Alabama college/university or vocational school.

“We take our role as a good corporate citizen seriously,” said Fred D. Clark, Jr., AMEA President & CEO. “That’s why we, along with our Members, support education initiatives, like the AMEA Scholarship Program, that contribute to making our state economically competitive. We congratulate this year’s scholarship winners.”

This year’s AMEA Academic Scholarship recipients are:

Parker Reid Daughtry, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City

Taylor Dean Harris, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City

Katelyn Summer Henderson, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City

Audrey Rose Owens, Benjamin Russell High School, Alexander City

Callie Olivia Anderson, Providence Christian School, Dothan

Larrison Grace Everett, Providence Christian School, Dothan

Charlie Thomas Malugen, Northside Methodist Academy, Dothan

Cassidy Leigh Perry, Ridgecrest Christian School, Dothan

Brooklynn Nicole Bailey, Fairhope High School, Fairhope

Madisyn Elizabeth Eddins, Fairhope High School, Fairhope

Reese Adam Houck, Fairhope High School, Fairhope

Molly Quinn McPherson, Fairhope High School, Fairhope

Ella Lauren Caldwell, Spanish Fort High School, Riviera Utilities

Ethan Grae Ferguson, Spanish Fort High School, Riviera Utilities

Galey Patricia McKelvain, Fairhope High School, Riviera Utilities

NyAsia Shanylia Chambers, LaFayette High School, LaFayette

John Robert Ramirez, Chambers Academy, LaFayette

Mattie Lee Reese, Chambers Academy, LaFayette

Madison La’Jai Davis, Lanett High School, Lanett

Jesilyn Marie Mabrey, Springwood School, Lanett

Ethan James Plank, Springwood School, Lanett

Minseong Cha, Luverne High School, Luverne

KeeShaun Kareem Glanton, Luverne High School, Luverne

Abby Leigh Whiddon, Crenshaw Christian Academy, Luverne

Hannah Grace Blackstock, Trinity Christian School, Opelika

Georgia Lorainne Duncan, Trinity Christian School, Opelika

Kerry Louisa Nell, Trinity Christian School, Opelika

Orah Makai Preston, Opelika High School, Opelika

Emily Faith Farmer, Piedmont High School, Piedmont

Dawson Blake Morrison, Piedmont High School, Piedmont

William Perry Austin, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board

Katlyn Lee Boozer, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board

Emma Grace Hopkins, Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board

Caroline Leigh Hudgins, B.B. Comer Memorial High School, Sylacauga Utilities Board

This year’s AMEA Community College, and/or Vocational/Trade School  Scholarship recipients include:

Josiah Michael Gardner, Baldwin County Virtual School, Riviera Utilities

Ariana Rene Story, LaFayette High School, LaFayette

Bobby Lee Moore, Lanett High School, Lanett

Aniyah Elese’ McGhee-Burnett, Luverne High School, Luverne

Cayla LeeAnn Parris, Piedmont High School, Piedmont

Emilee Lynn Parris, Piedmont High School, Piedmont

AMEA, a joint action agency formed in 1981, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve approximately 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga and Tuskegee.

Lightsource bp has successfully closed on a $100 million financing package for its 130 megawatt (MWdc) Black Bear Solar energy project in Montgomery County, Alabama. When complete, Black Bear will meaningfully contribute to Alabama’s cumulative utility-scale solar capacity.

The tax equity investment for the project was secured from Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank. Debt for the project was provided by Banco Santander, one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization, headquartered in Spain, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), a top-tier global financial group headquartered in Tokyo. The balance of the equity requirements will be invested by Lightsource bp.

Kevin Smith, CEO of the Americas, Lightsource bp: “This project demonstrates the positive impacts that result from partnerships with shared goals to reduce carbon emissions, deliver affordable electricity, create jobs and contribute to local communities. It’s also a testament to the cost-effectiveness and bankability of solar energy that world-class lenders are supporting this project, and that AMEA has agreed to purchase the electricity on a long-term basis to the substantial benefit of its members.”

The power contract secured with Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) played a critical role in enabling investment and financing of this new energy infrastructure for Alabama. AMEA, located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.

Fred Clark, President & CEO, AMEA: “AMEA is excited about our partnership with Lightsource bp. This large scale solar project will help diversify AMEA’s fuel resources, and will continue to provide low-cost electricity to our Members’ customers.”

Situated 15 miles from AMEA’s headquarters in Montgomery, Black Bear Solar will supply cost-effective, locally sourced, sustainable electricity to AMEA’s 11 Member utilities located across the state. In addition to providing clean energy and bill savings to AMEA’s Members and their customers, the project will contribute almost $7 million in property tax revenue to county schools over the first 35 years of the project life.

The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) honored its 11 Members for their 40 years of partnership and support during the joint action agency’s awards luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 2.

AMEA recognized Members during the event with a special award. AMEA also honored those founding leaders and partners who were instrumental in the formation of the organization.

“Because of the vision, leadership and support of our Members throughout the past 40 years, AMEA has become a valued partner in Alabama’s electric utility community,” said Fred Clark, AMEA President & CEO. “AMEA continues to be a reliable and economical power supplier for its Members. Members are committed more than ever to Joint Action as they are benefiting from AMEA’s power supply initiatives, resources, and selected value-added programs and services.”

AMEA, located in Montgomery, is the wholesale power provider for 11 public power utilities in Alabama, which serve some 350,000 customers in the cities of Alexander City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley, LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont, Sylacauga, and Tuskegee.