by J. Brook Terry
Staff Writer
Legislation was filed last week granting JEA the necessary easements to install a solar energy system at Alltel Stadium.
The bill comes following lengthy discussions between officials from JEA, the City, stadium management group SMG and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
JEA spokesperson Nancy Kilgo said the structure, which will be constructed outside of the stadium in a southwest parking lot, will help promote a “solar awareness program.”
Kilgo said stadium parking will not be affected.
“We’re excited about this project because it helps JEA meet a corporate goal of having a percentage of our electricity be generated by non-renewable resources,” she said.
JEA director of legislative affairs Bud Para agreed, saying the solar system will serve as an example of “green power”
“(Green power) is basically defined as an energy source that can be renewed like wind, solar or hydroelectric energy,” he said. “It’s much cleaner and contains fewer emissions.”
Kilgo said the structure will not generate electricity during JEA power outages.
“It is for supplementary power only,” she said.
Assembly and installation costs for the structure — it is still in a design phase — hover around $400,000, and per the terms of the agreement with the City, JEA is responsible for all of those expenses.
JEA will also cover all maintenance and damage costs.
According to the agreement, the City has agreed to pay for power generated by the system at a rate equal to what it currently pays for Alltel Stadium utilities.
Though tied into JEA’s electric distribution system, Kilgo and Para were unsure whether or not it would provide power exclusively to the stadium or to a larger base of users.
Barring complications site, preparation and construction efforts should began immediately after the bill is approved by the City Council.
“I don’t anticipate any problems from the Council,” said Kilgo. “If possible, we would like to have everything finished before football season, definitely before the Super Bowl.”
Council president Lad Daniels said he needed more information, but would likely support the bill.
“I think it’s a good idea to use more environmentally safe utilities,” he said. “I look forward to hearing more about it.”
The bill will be reviewed in the Council’s Finance and Transportation, Technology, Environment & Energy committees and may be up for a vote before the entire Council as early as April.