The Ray urges Georgia committee to use interstate right‑of‑way for solar, EV charging and faster transmission

Ally Kelly, executive director of the nonprofit The Ray, told the House Economic Development Committee that Georgia’s interstate right‑of‑way can be a faster, lower‑cost place to build solar, EV charging and transmission projects that support industrial load growth.

Kelly said The Ray began as a Georgia initiative and has expanded nationally. “We were founded in Georgia 10 years ago,” Kelly said, and the group has used philanthropic and federal support to develop projects on an 18‑mile I‑85 corridor designated by the General Assembly. Kelly described the corridor as a testbed for innovations including solar arrays, battery storage, EV charging and rubber‑modified asphalt that improves drainage and reduces hydroplaning.

The Ray presented several demonstrations and policy observations to committee members. Kelly described the organization’s first project as an early high‑capacity EV charging station powered by a small solar array and noted the effort prompted legislative…