Co-op News
Co-op Shines for Little Leaguers
A Georgia co-op’s green energy program is a hit with Little Leaguers competing in the Southeastern Regional baseball and softball tournaments now under way in Warner Robins, Ga.
Flint Energies’ board of directors assembles at the new Little League Southeastern Park, which was built with the co-op’s support. (Photo By: Kelly Trapnell)
In fact, Flint Energies is putting the “home” in home run, as the Warner Robins-based co-op is allocating renewable energy to power the eight-state tournaments at the city’s Little League Southeastern Park.
The co-op is following up its involvement in building the new 2,500-seat facility, which was dedicated in June, by providing the energy at no additional cost to Little League.
“Flint Energies’ first commitment to Little League was the creation of a ballpark out behind our original Warner Robins warehouse in 1952,” said Senior Vice President Jimmy Autry. “Our employees have always volunteered to help out, and today the Flint Energies Sports Complex hosts nine Little League fields for our regular spring season.”
Most of the power produced at Flint’s 4-megawatt landfill gas plant in Taylor County and 17-MW biomass generation plant in Rabun Gap is allocated to the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins. The co-op is has earmarked much of the remainder to the tournaments.
The electricity is running the park’s lights, scoreboard, concession stands, air-conditioned press box and other features. It will also provide the power needed for the live broadcast of several late-tournament games, including the Aug. 13 boys’ championship, on the ESPN networks.
The winner of the girls’ softball tournament, which began July 29 and runs through Aug. 2, will advance to the Girls World Series in Portland, Ore. The winner of the Aug. 6-13 boys’ bracket will play in the Little League World Series, which begins a week later in Williamsport, Pa.