Women-owned businesses get energized by business opportunities at Birmingham conference
Female-owned business learned what it takes to do business with energy companies like Alabama Power at the Women’s Business Enterprise Council South’s Second Annual Power Industry Summit in Birmingham. “This is the first time we’re having this conference in Birmingham,” said Phala Mire, president and CEO of WBEC South. “It’s our second Power Summit, but it was so successful the first time, we wanted to bring it to Birmingham because we felt it was really important to be able to connect with some of our major power companies. “Alabama Power is a huge supporter of the Women’s Business Council. They are absolutely committed to doing business with women-owned businesses across our region.” In addition to Alabama Power, representatives of other Southern Company business units also took part. Glenda Thomas, a board member at WBEC South and supplier relations and diversity manager at Alabama Power, helped bring the event to Birmingham. “I thought it was very important to have an industry-focused group – this is our second annual power summit – and I thought it would be great if Alabama Power hosted and brought our Southern Company partners,” she said. “So, we’re fortunate to have Gulf Power, Southern Nuclear, Southern Company Services and the newly added Southern Gas.” CenterPoint Energy, Entergy, TVA, Mobile Area Water and Sewer System, Cleco and the U.S. Department of Energy were other participants in the conference. The Small Business Administration, Birmingham Business Alliance, South Region Minority Supplier Development Council and Edison Electric Institute Business Diversity were also involved in the summit. Scott Vowels, supplier diversity manager for Apple and author of “Hacking Supplier Diversity: Cracking the Code for the Business Case, Revenue Generation, Economic Impact, ROI,” was the keynote speaker. “This is imperative because this is where we get to meet the diverse suppliers,” Vowels said. “This is where we get to understand who they are. Because I always believe that people do business with people they know and people they like.” Vowels said for small, female-owned businesses, events like the summit can be eye-opening. “I think women-owned businesses have so much power and so much leverage that at times they don’t really understand the power that they possess,” he said. Vowels said he hoped minority businesses came away with a better understanding of the opportunities and that the corporations better understood the business case for hiring these 1q`firms. “Any businesses from staffing to IT to environmental – we have a wide variety of women-owned businesses here today networking together for the Power Industry Summit,” said Kristina Bridgeman, sourcing agent with Southern Company Services. Bridgeman said the conference was successful in making those connections. As for what female-owned businesses can bring to a company like Alabama Power, Vowels said the value of a different perspective should never be discounted. “I think those unique perspectives are what help with innovation because I believe the more inclusive you are, the more innovative you can be,” he said. Republished with the permission of the Alabama Newscenter.
Steve Marshall leads effort to protect states’ rights, prevent TVA rate increase
Alabama is leading the fight against a federal court ruling that would undercut state authority to regulate its own groundwaters and would result in debt to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), causing rate increases that could leave many customers in Alabama and other states unable to afford electricity. Joined by Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed an amicus brief on Tuesday evening in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth District arguing a federal judge’s order to excavate a coal ash pond in Tennessee “usurps States’ authority to regulate groundwaters” in the case of Tennessee Clean Water Network v. TVA. According to the brief: “The lower court’s remedy, ordering closure of the Gallatin ash ponds by excavation and removal, would cost approximately $1.8 billion to 4.0 billion. As TVA will pass this cost on to its captive utility customers, such a costly remedy will have an unanticipated, immediate, and profound impact on utility ratepayers. If this Court upholds the lower court’s remedy, and closure-by-removal is subsequently applied throughout the Sixth Circuit, the resulting costs to utility customers would be astronomical, costing in the tens-of-billions of dollars.” Yikes. Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Congress designated states as the main controllers of groundwater pollutants.The issue, however, is whether or not “hydrological connectivity” (the theory that the groundwaters might connect to navigable waters) could extend federal control to groundwater pollutants. Using this approach, a lower court has ordered that the TVA clean up a coal ash pond at its Gallatin coal plant using a close-by-removal procedure rather than the TVA’s preferred close-in-place method. “Not only is this matter clearly designated for state rather than federal regulation and the proposed remedy unnecessary and overwhelmingly costly, but the theory of hydrological connectivity could be extended to ridiculous circumstances,” said Marshall. “For example, owners of large parking lots could find themselves subject to CWA citizen suits as storm water runoff mixes with petroleum products discharged by cars parked on pavement, and may make its way into groundwater and eventually ‘navigable water.’ The same logic extends to runoff from state, county and municipal roads and highways.” 16 other states are joining Alabama and Kentucky in support of the brief: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Hexcel to expand Alabama plant, creating 90 jobs with $200M project
Alabama officials announced that the existing Hexcel Corp. production site in Decatur has been selected by the company for its first integrated U.S. carbon fiber and PAN production facility. When completed and fully operational, the expansion will add about 90 jobs to Hexcel’s existing workforce in Decatur. The expansion was announced at a ceremony in Decatur attended by Hexcel executives, state officials and local leaders. The project is part of the company’s strategic plan to ramp up production of advanced composites to meet increasing demand in the aerospace and industrial markets. Production is expected to begin in 2021. Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President Nick Stanage said the company conducted a comprehensive study for the project before choosing to expand in Decatur. “We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to Decatur, to the State of Alabama and to our existing team at the plant. We looked around the world at possible locations for this expansion, and the people of Alabama made it clear that Decatur would be the right choice,” he said. “Hexcel’s expansion plan underscores the company’s confidence in its loyal Alabama workforce and reflects the strong partnership that has been built in Decatur,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “I look forward to seeing Hexcel’s Alabama operation continue to grow and thrive.” Stamford, Connecticut-based Hexcel, which was founded in 1948, operates 22 manufacturing sites with more than 6,100 workers. Sales last year totaled $2 billion. The Decatur facility produces polyacrylonitrile, or PAN, a precursor of carbon fiber. “Alabama stands in the center of the emerging Southeastern aerospace cluster, and we want to penetrate all levels of the industry supply chain,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The growth of companies such as Hexcel shows that we are positioned for an expanding role in that supply chain.” $200 million investment According to the Morgan County Economic Development Association (MCEDA), Hexcel’s investment in the expansion project is approximately $200 million, adding to previous investment totaling $691 million in the facility. “This exciting announcement for Morgan County reinforces our qualified workforce and competitive location. We appreciate Hexcel’s investment and look forward to their continued growth in Morgan County,” said Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long. “The size of this capital investment makes it one of the largest in the history of Morgan County and will pay long-term dividends to local schools and governments,” state Sen. Arthur Orr said. “We are grateful for Hexcel Corp.’s renewed commitment to the people of this area and look forward to an enhanced, mutually beneficial relationship.” Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said, “I have been associated with Hexcel since 1988, when they were known as Hispan. Since those early years, Hexcel leaders have continued to invest in Decatur, and they have remained a leader in the growing carbon fiber industry. This investment is a reflection of a wonderful economic development community led by our EDA staff, a strong workforce, and our logistical advantages.” Joining MCEDA and the Alabama Department of Commerce on the project recruitment team were the Morgan County Commission, Decatur’s mayor and City Council, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter.
Personnel note: Mo Brook’s Communications Director Lauren Vandiver returns to Alabama
On Tuesday, Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks‘ Communications Director Lauren Vandiver announced her departure from Capitol Hill. After six years on the Hill, the Auburn graduate will move back to North Alabama to join the Tennessee Valley Authority as the government relations manager for the Alabama District. “While I’m looking forward to real barbecue, sweet tea, and Auburn football games – it will be difficult to match the wonderful friendships and memories made during my time in Washington,” Vandiver said in an email to colleagues. Vandiver first began working in federal politics in 2008 as an intern for Alabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. She later worked for former 5th District U.S. Congressman Parker Griffith in the Hunstville District office before moving in 2010 to work in his D.C. office. When Griffith was defeated in the 2010 Republican primary by Brooks, Vandiver was picked up by the incoming freshman and began working as his legislative correspondent before transitioning to press secretary and legislative assistant, and ultimately communications director. “It has been an honor to serve my home district working with such a dedicated member and incredible team in the D.C. office and in our district offices,” Vandiver concluded.
TVA board votes to sell Bellefonte, Ala. nuclear plant to highest bidder
The nation’s largest public utility is selling a never-completed nuclear plant that has cost more than $4 billion dollars over the past four decades. The Tennessee Valley Authority board voted Tuesday at a meeting in Buchanan to declare the Bellefonte nuclear plant near Hollywood, Alabama, surplus. The site includes two partially finished nuclear reactors, railroad spurs and a helicopter pad. TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson says the 1,600 acre site will be sold at auction to the highest bidder. It has been appraised at $36 million. The decision to sell is the latest blow to the nuclear power industry, which seemed poised for resurgence a decade ago but has been stymied by cheap natural gas, high construction costs and relatively flat demand for power. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Robert Bentley, Richard Shelby urge TVA to sell unfinished nuclear plant
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Sen. Richard Shelby are among those urging the Tennessee Valley Authority to sell its unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, where more than four decades of work hasn’t produced a watt of electricity. Comments released publicly by the federal utility show that the Republican Bentley and Alabama Republican Shelby, along with local officials, one environmental group and others want the Tennessee Valley Authority to get rid of the twin-reactor facility in northeast Alabama near Hollywood. At least one potential buyer has been identified, documents show. But five environmental groups are urging the federal utility to keep the plant and use it for renewable energy, and numerous individuals also submitted comments opposing a sale. The final decision on whether to sell is up to the TVA board. TVA has said it is considering whether to sell Bellefonte, where more than $4 billion has been spent since construction began in 1974. Work was put on hold in 1988 and employees now simply maintain the plant, located on the Tennessee River about 50 miles east of Huntsville. A summation of Bentley’s position says the governor wants TVA to sell Bellefonte to a private party that will complete the plant, similar to Shelby’s stance. Shelby also would like to see the plant sold for use as a large industrial or technology complex, according to the TVA report. Documents also show a Western energy company is interested in purchasing the plant. An executive with the firm, Phoenix Energy of Nevada, said the company has developed a new, non-nuclear technology that uses electromagnetic induction energy fields to heat water indirectly and produce steam that would turn turbines and generate electricity at Bellefonte. “We are a completely clean, regenerative source of non-intermittent reliable and dependable, low-cost electric power,” Michael Dooley, managing partner and principle engineer for Phoenix Energy, said in an email to The Associated Press. Bellefonte is located on a 1,600-acre site and includes two partially finished nuclear reactors plus office buildings, warehouses, parking areas, railroad spurs and a helicopter pad. TVA is the nation’s largest public utility. It provides electricity to about 9 million people in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.
Google to make $600M investment in Widows Creek steam plant
Gov. Robert Bentley joined other state officials, local officials from the Jackson County community and officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to announce that Google will make an initial $600 million investment to create a data center on the grounds of TVA’s Widows Creek Steam Plant in north Jackson County. On its website Google noted that the location would be its 14th. Recent additions include data centers in Iowa, Georgia, Singapore and Belgium. In a prepared statement Google said, “This time, we’re doing something we’ve never done before: We’ll be building on the grounds of the Widows Creek coal power plant in Jackson County, which has been scheduled for shutdown. Data centers need a lot of infrastructure to run 24/7, and there’s a lot of potential in redeveloping large industrial sites like former coal power plants. Decades of investment shouldn’t go to waste just because a site has closed; we can repurpose existing electric and other infrastructure to make sure our data centers are reliably serving our users around the world.” They went on to describe, “Of course, the cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use. Our Alabama data center will incorporate our state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies. We’ve built our own super-efficient servers, invented more efficient ways to cool our data centers, and even used advanced machine learning to squeeze more out of every watt of power we consume. Compared to five years ago, we now get 3.5 times the computing power out of the same amount of energy.” In a prepared statement released Wednesday afternoon, Governor Bentley said, “Google is one of the world’s most innovative companies that just about every Alabamian interacts with daily. Google’s decision to expand its data center network to Alabama is the start of a long-lasting state partnership that will provide a significant boost to our state’s high-tech sector, provide good jobs for our citizens and position the state for additional growth in this important industry.” Bentley welcomed the media giant to the state saying, “I appreciate Google’s significant investment in Alabama, and I am pleased to welcome them to Sweet Home Alabama.” U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby also issued a prepared statement saying, “Google’s announcement that it will open a data center in Jackson County is positive news for Alabama and proves that our state is a great place for companies of all sizes to do business. I am delighted that Google has chosen Alabama as the home to this investment, and I look forward to the jobs and economic growth that it will bring.” Bill Johnson the President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority said, “Economic development is a vital part of TVA’s mission to serve the people of the Tennessee Valley. TVA is committed to a diverse energy portfolio and providing reliable, low-cost and ever-cleaner energy to attract new companies and investments to the region.” “Google could have located their next data center anywhere in the world, but they chose a soon-to-be retired coal plant site with the right infrastructure in rural Alabama,” Johnson said. “What began as a power generation facility will now become a data center harnessing the power of the Internet to connect people all over the world.” According to the governor’s office projections, Google will make an estimated $600 million initial investment, with opportunities for expansion. The initial project is expected to create 75 to 100 jobs. Last year, Google passed over Alabama for one of its high-speed fiber-optic network cities.
