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Speakers urge Athens-Clarke County to preserve Community Energy Fund and clean-energy spending in FY26
Summary
Dozens of residents, business owners and nonprofit representatives told the Mayor and Commission the Community Energy Fund and the county’s 100% clean energy resolution should be protected in FY26, citing long-term savings, job creation and resilience benefits.
Multiple speakers at the May 20 public hearing urged the commission to protect the Community Energy Fund (CEF) and related clean-energy commitments in the FY26 budget, saying the fund reduces municipal energy costs, brings federal dollars and creates local jobs.
Nut graf: Commentators described the Community Energy Fund as an investment expected to reduce long-term energy spending for county facilities and residents; they asked commissioners not to treat the fund as discretionary operating dollars to be cut.
Suzanne Warrenfeldts argued the Community Energy Fund is “not a special interest” but “a carefully constructed tool that reduce costs, saves money, and helps us achieve municipal goals such as affordable housing.” She cited an estimate from the county sustainability officer that Athens spends about $6,000,000 per year on energy costs and said CEF projects reduce consumption and future expense.
Mary Songster, a local builder and landlord, described how rooftop solar on rental units reduced tenant energy burdens and said avoided energy costs on public buildings could be redirected to core services.
Delmyra Jennings, an Athens resident with a home solar system, said existing municipal solar projects across public works, fire stations and other facilities had produced an estimated $446,000 in savings as of April 2025 and a projected lifetime savings of over $2,700,000.
Olivia (Amiette) Amiette, founder and CEO of Infinite Energy Advisors, said, “Cutting solar funding is not a savings. It's a loss,” and argued that distributed solar attracts federal dollars, reduces peak demand and supports local clean-energy job training.
Speakers also framed the CEF as equity policy: Sherry Cobb and others said targeted programs help low-income residents reduce energy bills and build neighborhood resiliency.
Discussion and next steps: Commenters asked the commission to leave the CEF and the Clean Energy Resolution intact in FY26; no final budget action was taken at the May 20 session.
Ending: Commissioners will consider public input as they move toward budget decisions in the coming weeks; the final FY26 budget vote is scheduled for June 10, 2025.
