Gary Smith, PowerSouth president and CEO, addressed the Brundidge City Council Tuesday to bring the members up to date on issues facing the utility industry now and long term.

Smith said about 55 percent of electricity is generated by coal and, as coal usage is being curtailed, the utility industry is faced with challenges as it looks forward.

“If coal comes off the table and it’s replaced with natural gas, the price of natural gas will go up,” Smith said. “Coal prices are going up and they are closing in on the price of natural gas. The efficiency rate of natural gas is better than that of coal and that has implications for the power industry.”

Increased usage of natural gas plus coal exports to China and Europe will put a strain on the demand for natural gas.

Diversity is essential to any business and the utility industry is no exception, Smith said.

With coal and natural gas concerns for the industry, Smith said nuclear power is an attractive and viable option.

Smith said there is no way that there is enough natural gas to take the world into perpetuity and nuclear energy is the most viable choice of available energy sources.

When asked about solar energy as a cost savings options for individual home owners,

Smith discounted solar power as a cost savings option.

“Solar power is interesting and has the best chance of working of any of the renewable energy sources,” he said. However, he said that installing and maintaining the solar panels would cost homeowners about $500 a month “to cut their power bill in half.”

Of the renewal energy sources, Smith said, solar power, maybe if the cost of the panels and installation can be brought down.

“But it just doesn’t make any sense, it’s just too expensive,” he said.

During the business session, the council adopted a resolution to apply to ADECA for an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to install LED lights on S.A. Graham Blvd, Clayton Street, Veterans Blvd. Galloway Road, 6th Avenue and Lott Blvd. The total cost of the project, including engineering, administrative costs and labor will be $81,481. The cost to the city will be $11,531, which is 14 percent of the total cost of the project.

The council agreed to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program with options of intent for community safe houses and a ditch drainage improvements on Highway 231.

Britt Thomas, city manager, reported a purchase of playground equipment via auction in the amount of $6,037. The council agreed to install the equipment at Galloway Park.

The Brundidge City Council meets at 4 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Brundidge City Hall. The meetings are open to the public.