Oglethorpe Power Renames Murray County Power Plant For President/CEO Tom Smith

TUCKER, Ga., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Oglethorpe Power Corporation has renamed its 1,250-megawatt gas-powered electric generating facility in Murray County, Ga., the Thomas A. Smith Energy Facility in honor of President & CEO Tom Smith.

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In a Sept. 20 ceremony at the plant, Board Chairman Benny Denham praised Smith for demonstrating strong leadership during his 13-year tenure as head of the power supply cooperative and said the Board looks forward to more positive results under Smith's leadership in the years ahead.

"We made a great decision when we hired Tom as President & CEO in 1999, and I know we are all looking forward to even bigger things as we continue to work together with him in the future," Denham said.

Denham noted that under Smith's leadership, Oglethorpe Power's assets have nearly doubled and are expected to double again in the years ahead.  Smith also led the very successful purchases of three existing power plants over the past several years, which helped the corporation and its Member EMCs save millions of dollars by avoiding new construction.

"Tom Smith doesn't just put forth his individual best, but he also strives to make his entire team better," Denham said.  "He's been responsible for some spectacular achievements in his career, but he doesn't take credit.  In fact, he's one of the most unassuming people I know."

Smith said he is humbled by the Board's decision to name Oglethorpe Power's most recently acquired power plant for him.  "This is an honor that my family and I will always hold special," he said.  "I want to thank Benny Denham and the entire Oglethorpe Power Board for placing their trust in me as President & CEO and for attaching my name to this outstanding power generating facility."

The Thomas A. Smith Energy Facility, formerly known as the Murray Energy Facility, was acquired by Oglethorpe Power in 2011.  The combined cycle facility is in Murray County just outside of Dalton.

Oglethorpe Power is one of the nation's largest power supply cooperatives, with more than $8 billion in assets, serving 39 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to more than 4.1 million Georgians. 

A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, Oglethorpe balances reliable affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance.  Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, hydroelectric, coal, and nuclear generating plants with a combined capacity of approximately 7,075 MW, as well as purchased power.  Oglethorpe was established in 1974 and is owned by its 39 Member Systems.  It is headquartered in Tucker, GA.

SOURCE Oglethorpe Power Corporation