Christmas Trees in Town
Boy Scout Troop 155’s Christmas Tree lot is open M-F 4-8pm and weekends 10am-8pm. Located at 2427 Williams Dr.; next to The Pit. They offer Free Delivery too.
Holiday Tours
The following downtown homes are on the Heritage Society Holiday Home Tour.
• Michael & Samantha Walton 1406 E. 15th St.
• Teri & Tobin Carpenter 1405 E. 18th St.
• Katherine & Jay Dalton 1501 E. 17th St.
• Grace & Jared Pyka 1001 E. University Ave
• Teresa & Jeff Miller 1402 E. 16th St.
Hours are Dec 10th 1-8pm and Dec 11th 12-5pm.
In Sun City, the Kiwanis Club of Sun City is holding its 16th annual tour. Tours are Dec 2; 4-7pm, Dec 3, 10am-5pm and Dec 4, 12-5pm. Guests receive a program and information on local services.
• Jemme Lynn & David Wilks, 428 Star Mountain Lane
• Tina & Bob Bishoff, 119 Golf View Drive
• Walter Freitag, 508 Davis Mountain Circle
• Betty & Mert Darling, 114 High Trail Drive
• Arlene & David Schinke, 161 Scissortail Trail
• Patty Griewe, 115 Butterfly Cove.
Solar Power Deal Finalized
The sale of a 154-megawatt photovoltaic solar project to NRG Energy last week moves the City of Georgetown electric utility a step closer to a 100 percent renewable energy supply. The PV solar electricity plant near Fort Stockton will supply energy to Georgetown through a 25-year purchased-power agreement that starts in July 2018.
The solar project, formerly known as Buckthorn, was acquired by NRG Energy from SunEdison, who owned the plant through a subsidiary corporation. The solar plant is one asset being sold by SunEdison under chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The acquisition of the solar plant by NRG Energy was completed last week after approvals by the Georgetown City Council and the respective boards of NRG Energy and SunEdison.
“The sale of this solar project to NRG Energy marks an important milestone in our plan to provide fixed, competitive costs to our utility customers for the next 20 years,” says Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross. “Securing this agreement for solar power and allowing Georgetown to become one of the first cities in the nation with 100 percent clean renewable energy is good for our customers, good for economic development, and good for the planet.”
Under the agreement with NRG Energy, Georgetown’s fixed cost for electricity from the solar plant is less than the cost under the original agreement with SunEdison.
Georgetown Utility Systems will be the sole wholesale customer for energy from the solar project under the agreement with NRG Energy. Electricity output from the solar plant that exceeds demand from Georgetown will be cleared to ERCOT for sale to other utilities. Construction on the solar farm, which began last year, will resume next year.
The NRG Energy solar project will be the second renewable energy plant to power Georgetown when it comes online. The Spinning Spur 3 wind project owned by EDF Renewable Energy has been supplying the city with energy from 97 wind turbines since it began operations in October 2015. The wind farm located 50 miles west of Amarillo is under a 20-year contract to supply 144 megawatts of energy to Georgetown.
While Spinning Spur 3 was projected to meet 90 percent of Georgetown’s energy needs, over the last 12 months, the electricity output from the wind plant has exceeded Georgetown’s consumption, making Georgetown 100 percent renewable for that period. The excess energy has been cleared into the ERCOT market.
To learn more about Georgetown Utility Systems and the move to 100 percent renewable energy, go to gus.georgetown.org/renewable-energy.
P.H. Dimmitt Ornament
A limited-edition collectible brass Christmas ornament featuring the P.H. Dimmitt and Co. Building at 801 S. Main Street is now on sale. The 10th annual ornament sale is a project of the Georgetown Main Street Program. Only 400 of the ornaments are available.
Ornaments may be purchased at the Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh Street. The cost of the ornament is $20.
Built in 1901 as a hotel, the P.H. Dimmitt & Co. Building was later occupied by mercantile stores, a movie house, auto agency, drug store, dental office, and bus depot. The building was remodeled in 1960 by Georgetown Savings and Loan Association. Notable architectural features include Spanish arches, columns, and turrets of native stone.
Keepsake Gift
Texa
s Department of Transportation’s world-famous, anti-littering slogan “Don’t Mess with Texas” is now available as a commemorative coin that not only makes a unique gift, but also reminds its recipients and admirers to keep Texas roadsides beautiful and litter-free.
“Don’t mess with Texas has been a point of pride for three decades and we couldn’t be happier to have it minted into such a meaningful keepsake,” said Executive Director James Bass. Coins are available in silver and gold, and bear the world-famous “Don’t mess with Texas” slogan on one side and the Texas State Seal on the other.
The Commemorative Coin also helps offset the costs of litter pick-up services. On average, Texas spends more than $30 million annually on litter pickup. To purchase the “Don’t mess with Texas” Commemorative Coin, visit www.dontmesswithtexascoin.com
Gingerbread Vote ’16
Entries for the most festive culinary creations are on display in the lobby of the Georgetown Public Library.
Submissions may be built by a single master or by groups. They may be from scratch or from a kit with creative embellishments. Public voting takes place December 5-11 and winners in several categories will be announced December 12 • Kits and enhanced kits • Original designs made by one person in age groups: 8 and younger; age 9-12; age 13 and older. Prizes for the winners in each category are a $25 gift certificate.
Correction
In the Nov 17th issue we incorrectly listed Veteran Erik Stoeckle as a Purple Heart Awardee. Major Stoeckle is a Disabled Veteran/Wounded Warrior but did not sustain his injuries due to enemy fire.
