U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell toured Alabama Power’s energy facility in Greene County on March 20 and applauded the company for its commitment to west Alabama and its communities.

“Alabama Power has been such great corporate stewards, not only in Greene County but all across this state,” Sewell said after being briefed on the plant operations by Plant Manager Riley Wells.

She thanked the company and its employees for supporting the state’s economy and jobs, and for the company’s commitment to community service.

Sewell’s congressional district stretches west from Montgomery to the Mississippi line and north to include portions of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. It includes large portions of Alabama’s Black Belt, including Greene County.

Wells briefed Sewell on the plant’s important role in providing reliable power to west Alabama communities and businesses, as well as the plant’s sizable contribution to the local economy. The plant’s 125-person workforce represents a payroll of about $8 million a year, with employees coming from 10 counties in the region. The plant also provides more than $2 million a year in tax revenue to Greene County. Adding in fuel purchases, capital, operations and maintenance expenditures, the plant’s annual economic impact totals more than $100 million.

Learned a lot touring an Alabama Power steam plant today! pic.twitter.com/eUMbc2p2u9

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) March 20, 2014

Sewell also was briefed on pending federal environmental regulations that could have an impact on the plant’s operations. Alabama Power is spending about $1 billion across its coal fleet to meet the next wave of environmental mandates.

The congresswoman thanked the company for its investment in west Alabama. She then toured the plant’s facilities and met with plant employees.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell tours Alabama Power’s energy facility in Greene County
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