Footnotes Issue #68: January 14, 2013
Dirtiest Coal in Georgia on its Way Out
In a victory for clean air and public health, Georgia Power announced last week its plans to phase out 15 total aging coal and oil-burning units at Plant Branch, Plant Yates, and Plant Kraft as our power company prepares to begin its multi-year planning process at the Georgia Public Service Commission later this month.
Nationwide, coal use is at its lowest levels in decades as cleaner sources of energy are declining in price and coal is becoming more expensive, and with today's announcement, 129 coal plants nationwide have been slated for retirement. The story was so big that Sierra Club Executive Director Mike Brune was interviewed for a story on NPR's All Things Considered. Although Georgia Power has been slow to invest in clean energy generation to meet Georgia's energy needs, today's announcement demonstrates that coal-fired power plants are no longer able to provide competitively priced electricity in the Peach State.
"Georgia families will be breathing easier now that some of the state's oldest and largest polluters will be phased out," said Seth Gunning, Beyond Coal Organizer with the Georgia Sierra Club. "Georgia Power's decision to phase out nearly one quarter of their dirty, eighteenth century technology is good for families and good for their customers. If the company chooses to replace this capacity with home-grown, twenty-first century energy technology like solar and wind, their decision will also be good for Georgia jobs. Moving beyond coal and oil is the right decision for Georgia Power."
Help us by sending a note to Georgia Power CEO Paul Bowers, urging that the coal power be replaced with energy efficiency, solar and wind!
QuickLinks
The Georgia General Assembly gets underway this week. Our legislative team of veteran lobbyist Neill Herring and Chair Mark Woodall will be keeping their eyes on all of the comings and goings, especially those on ethics, transportation, solar freedom, and rollbacks of environmental regulations. Sign up for Action Alerts here, and mark your calendar for Georgia Conservation Voters annual Legislative Breakfast followed by Georgia Water Coalition's Lobby Day on February 28.
Sierra Club Meetings
Wildlands Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 15, 7:00 p.m. Atlanta Inner City Outings (ICO), Tuesday, January 22, 7:30 p.m. Fundraising Committee, Wednesday, January 23, 7:00 p.m. RAIL, Monday, January 28, 7:00 p.m. Smart Energy Team Meeting, Monday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Events
January 26 – Winter Hike to Blood Mountain
January 23 - Sierra Club & Beer
Help protect the planet and have a good time doing it! On January 23, Jennette Gayer from Environment Georgia will be talking about how wind energy can work in Georgia and put Georgians to work. Play environmental trivia, meet new people, get involved. Event is from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Music Room, 327 Edgewood Ave. Like our Facebook page and please RSVP here and help cover our costs by bringing a $5 suggested donation!
February 1 - Al Gore at the Carter Center
Help us keep Georgia's wild places wild.
Your donation can do so much to help us continue to protect Georgia's environment.
Interested in reading more?
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Wildlands and Wildlife Committee Meeting, Tuesday, July 19, 7:00 p.m.
Mike Murdock - Chair, murdock1@mindspring.com