SERA Begins Operations in Georgia

Environmental management costs have become a significant portion of the total operating budget for many companies. In order to remain competitive, companies must find cost-effective ways to identify and resolve environmental issues affecting their operations. There is a new weapon available to help companies in the fight to control these costs.

The Southeastern Environmental Resources Alliance (SERA) is a non-profit organization created to provide information, technical assistance, and implementation services to small and medium-sized companies. SERA was established as a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Energy, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, and the states of South Carolina and Georgia.

SERA clients in Georgia will have access to the technical assistance services available through several existing organizations. Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute (EDI) will provide on-site assessments focusing on energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and basic pollution prevention issues. P2AD will provide assistance to SERA clients to resolve complex pollution prevention problems. The University of Georgia’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering will serve as the primary provider of technical assistance to small and medium-sized companies in the areas of pulp and paper, textiles, and food processing.

In addition to providing on-site technical assistance, SERA will participate in industrial trade shows and conduct industry specific workshops. Through these events, SERA will seek to bring the latest information on cost-saving waste management measures to companies throughout Georgia. SERA will also serve as a mechanism for transferring advanced environmental and waste management technologies developed at the Savannah River Site to industrial facilities in Georgia and South Carolina.

The goal of SERA is to use technical assistance and technology transfer to improve the competitive position of companies that otherwise would not have access to such services. For more information on the resources available through SERA, please contact Ms. Jancie Hatcher, P2AD information manager, at (404) 651-5120 or 800-685-2443.