8/25: Georgia Tech energy study released

North Georgia Times-Free Press: Georgia Tech energy study released

A Georgia Tech study released Monday shows that an aggressive strategy to replace aging equipment with more energy efficient products throughout the South would reduce the need to build more coal-fired power plants in the region through 2020.

Advocates are taking the study, funded by the Energy Foundation and the Turner Foundation, to state legislators and regulatory agencies hoping it will bolster their calls for more incentives for energy efficient products as an alternative to new power plants.

"We're not saying that new plants aren't needed, because new plants can replace old clunkers that need to be replaced," said Marilyn Brown, a Georgia Tech professor who co-authored the report.

"But we don't need to build for an expanded demand if the Southern states would begin to launch energy efficient programs."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Report shows Alabama high school graduates not prepared for college courses

ARKANSAS: Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights says health reform would lead to single-payer system

FLORIDA: State begins borrowing money from federal government to pay unemployment

GEORGIA: Manufacturing shows signs of a comeback

KENTUCKY: Rare segregated state park to be renovated

LOUISIANA: Spending practices of the state in the spotlight

MISSISSIPPI: Southern Co. to seek funds from government to capture carbon dioxide emissions

NORTH CAROLINA: Sen. Hagen, Sen. Burr sharply divided over health care proposals

SOUTH CAROLINA: Santee Cooper ends plan to build $2.2 billion coal power plant

TENNESSEE: Governor candidates haven't listed occupations of donors

VIRGINIA: Southern governors worry about cost of health care reform

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