The newly-formed Dawson County Conservation Coalition met with County Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond and Fire Chief Lanier Swafford on Jan. 16 to introduce its energy conservation plan and to “adopt” Fire Station No. 2. 

A free energy audit was conducted by John Noel of Energy and Environment. Noel, a former Georgia Representative, has been working with businesses all over Georgia for 19 years and has saved them millions of dollars in energy costs over those years.  He is currently a candidate for Georgia Public Service Commission.  When he completes the audit, he will provide the coalition with a rundown of currently used lighting at the fire station and a list of replacement lighting that could be done to cut down on energy costs. He will also suggest other ways to save more money and promote energy efficiency.

The coalition will present Thurmond and Swafford with a grant of $300 to begin the updates. The coalition hopes that other civic and community groups will join in the endeavor. 

“We all wish to see the beauty of Dawson County preserved for future generations and one way to do this is to save on energy costs by using less energy,” said Bette Holland, TITLE “Fewer emissions will lead to cleaner air and water, and the wise use of land will help us reach our goal of preserving the beauty of Dawson County.”