Another Lump of Coal to Georgians from Power4Georgians

Power4Georgians Targets Rural Georgia Again for Dirty Coal Plant

Waynesville, Ga. — A private consortium of electric cooperatives, Power4Georgians (P4G), intends to develop a second 850-megawatt coal-fired plant in Georgia, in addition to Plant Washington, north of Sandersville in middle Georgia. Its second plant would be near Fitzgerald in south-central Ben Hill County. Located on the Ocmulgee River, proposed Plant Ben Hill’s coal-burning technology would require enormous water resources in the production of electricity and would emit dangerous pollutants affecting the immediate area as well as downstream and upwind communities.

Power4Georgians, LLC, is composed of five electric membership corporations (EMCs). They are: Cobb EMC (Cobb County and surrounding area); Central Georgia EMC (south metro Atlanta, north Macon area); Snapping Shoals EMC (southeast Atlanta metro area); Upson EMC (six counties in west central Georgia); and Washington EMC (Sandersville area, Washington County).

While these plans have been kept quiet and the public is just learning about them, the proposal to create Plant Ben Hill is active, according to Dean Alford, president of Allied Energy Services (AES) and spokesman for Power4Georgians. Alford recently met with members of the Fall-line Alliance for a Clean Environment (FACE) and noted that he was developing Plant Ben Hill as well as Plant Washington. Conservative cost estimates for construction of both proposed coal-burning plants is more than $4.6 billion – more than $13,800 in debt for each of the 333,133 EMC members in the Power4Georgians consortium.

Organizations across Georgia are also troubled by the damaging pollution the proposed coal-fired Ben Hill plant would have on air quality, rivers and watersheds, farms, and health.

Independent Analysis Finds Plant Washington a Risk to Washington County Taxpayers

New Study Finds Prior Estimates Overstate Jobs and Revenue to County; County to Provide $66.4 Million Subsidy and May Need to Fund Infrastructure with New Taxes

Sandersville, Ga.— Taxpayers in Washington County face serious risks and will likely not reap the financial and employment perks that supporters of the proposed Plant Washington are promising if the $2.1 billion coal-burning plant is built, according to an independent analysis released today by the Ochs Center. That assessment provided by the Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies, a Chattanooga, Tenn.- based non-profit research group, shows that prior projections of new revenue for Washington County from Plant Washington may be off the mark and County taxpayers may be left holding the bag for new infrastructure costs.

David Eichenthal, a public finance expert (see bio below) who led the independent analysis, said the projected financial arrangements of the proposed 850-megawatt plant in Middle Georgia raise numerous red flags.

“This is a project that doesn’t provide what it purports to provide,” said Eichenthal. “The basis for past projections of new revenue for Washington County is unclear and appears to be based in part on unrealistic assumptions about the number of permanent jobs that will go to Washington County residents. There are also real risks to this deal when it comes to how plant construction and related infrastructure costs are financed. Rather than creating new jobs and revenue for the County, Plant Washington could lead to long-term financial risks for taxpayers. There’s a lot to be worried about because in a very real sense, Plant Washington is a fiscal pig in a poke.”

Citizens Not Allowed to Ask Questions of County Commission

Public Input on Plant Washington Rejected by Washington County Chairman

Since the coal-fired Plant Washington was proposed for Middle Georgia in January 2008, citizens in the area have tried to get answers to a number of tough questions.

After months of delay, Katherine Cummings, president of the Fall-line Alliance for a Clean Environment (FACE) and a Washington County resident, had hoped that today would finally bring some answers. Cummings was on the agenda to speak before the Washington County Board of Commissioners to ask questions about the county’s role in the proposed coal plant and its impact on the community.

But as Cummings began her comments today, Commission Chairman Tommy Walker interrupted and said that she would not be allowed to ask questions in public. She was told instead to submit her questions in writing.

Plant Washington is a traditional 854-megawatt coal-fired plant proposed by energy developer Power4Georgians (P4G) to be constructed in middle Georgia, a few miles north of Sandersville in Washington County. Six electric membership corporations (EMCs) comprise P4G. They are Cobb EMC, Pataula EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC, Central Georgia EMC, Upson EMC and Washington EMC.

“I am disappointed that the County Commission isn’t interested in hearing from constituents about important issues related to Plant Washington that will affect our financial and environmental future,” Cummings said.

Georgians Deliver Loud Message: “NO” to Cobb EMC’s Proposed New Coal Plant

Those of us who have opposed Cobb EMC’s plan to build a new pollution-spewing coal-fired power plant in Washington County were reaffirmed in our position this week at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s public hearing on the plant on October 20 in Sandersville.  Georgians from many parts of the state attended, but the most impressive voices were the local citizens who rose one after another to voice their dismay at the impact the plant would have on their health and their environment.

Several expressed particular alarm at the additional mercury that would enter their local rivers and streams, already saturated with so much of that hazardous waste that the EPD has issued advisories limiting fish consumption.  The EPD also has measured mercury in those rivers in excess of state water quality standards.  Other residents noted their consternation at the plant’s projected emission of health-threatening pollutants like particulate matter and ozone that contribute to  serious human health problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Water consumption was another major concern in this agricultural community, still recovering from the recent drought, since the plant would draw as much as 16 million gallons of water per day from the Oconee River or from 15 groundwater wells.

In the end, 51 Georgians expressed their opposition to the plant, and only 14 rose to defend it.  The Cobb Alliance for Smart Energy is proud to be one of the organizations that took the lead in opposing this plant. We are heartened that so many Washington Countians have not been fooled by those who claim this plant is necessary to create local jobs and to provide our electricity requirements.

We are confident that this coal plant, like so many now defunct others, is headed for the dustbin of history.

You can still register your opinion on the plant with the EPD through October 27 via e-mail at epdcomments@dnr.state.ga.us or send written comments to:
Plant Washington Comments
Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Suite 1152 – East Tower
Atlanta, Ga. 30334

Georgians tell EPD that Plant Washington and Coal Pose Huge Risks

Residents crowd hearing, urge state to opt for cleaner, safer, more beneficial energy sources

SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — A diverse cross-section of Georgians packed an elementary school cafeteria in Sandersville Tuesday night to tell state environmental officials that pollution from a planned coal-burning power plant in Washington County posed unnecessary threats to public health and the region’s air quality and diminishing water supplies.

More than 300 people crowded into Ridge Road Elementary School, and an overwhelming majority who spoke voiced opposition to the proposed Plant Washington. Tuesday’s event was the sole public hearing scheduled by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on the plant, even though the agency received more than 1,000 letters from people requesting additional hearings in other cities.

As a result, in addition to drawing people from the surrounding area, some traveled hours to the hearing for their lone opportunity to testify in person before EPD officials. Repeatedly, they expressed dismay that officials were even considering a pollution permit for the project.

“Coal plants are dinosaurs,” said Larry Warthen, who lives in Warthen, not far from Sandersville. “Let’s move into the 21^st Century. We must put a greater value on the quality of our air, water, our children and their future.” All but 14 of the 65 people testifying expressed similar opinions, saying EPD should not grant pollution permits for Plant Washington.

Their concerns touched on issues ranging from mercury contamination and air pollution to depletions of the aquifer in the Oconee River system and the potential risks of toxic coal-ash generated by the plant.   Residents also voiced their fears about electricity rates skyrocketing to pay for the $2.1 billion project, which many said is unnecessary to meet the incremental increases in demand projected for the area served by the six electric membership cooperatives that want to build it.

Action Alert: Say No to Dirty Coal in Georgia

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is asking for your comments about a proposed dirty coal plant in middle Georgia.

The Problem:

Our air and water can only absorb so much pollution without creating health hazards for people, livestock and crops.

If Georgia EPD approves proposed permits for a new dirty coal plant, it will emit more than 100 pounds of toxic mercury every year that will further contaminate our rivers and fish.

In addition, the coal plant will draw up to 16 million gallons of water a day from our rivers and wells with no assurance that clean water will be available to residents, businesses and farms.

Solution:

Rather than increase Georgia’s over-dependence on coal, we should invest in clean homegrown sources of energy, including energy efficiency improvements and renewables.

Cleaner sources of energy are currently available, reliable, and affordable. We should urge Georgia EPD and state leaders to create an energy future that provides sustainable jobs and economic activity for all Georgians. Not only will it prove to be a wise choice for our economy, but it will help improve the health of Georgia’s environment and those who live in it.

Action Needed:

Georgia EPD needs to hear from you today.  If you can not make it to the second of two public comment hearings in Sandersville, Ga on Tuesday, Oct 20th (get a ride here), the agency is receiving comments until October 27th on the proposed permit for a new dirty coal power plant.

Deadline for responding: Please take action by Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

You can still register your opinion on the plant with the EPD through October 27 via e-mail at epdcomments@dnr.state.ga.us or send written comments to:
Plant Washington Comments
Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Suite 1152 – East Tower
Atlanta, Ga. 30334

Feel free to use the following message, or one of your own!:

“I am concerned about the draft permits recently issued for the Plant Washington coal plant. If permitted, the plant will emit toxic pollutants that will harm Georgia’s air, water and our public health.

In addition, the plant will withdraw up to 16 million gallons of water every day through a 30-mile pipeline to the Oconee River and 15 wells will also be dug along the pipeline to extract groundwater during periods of drought. Our water resources are limited and such massive withdrawals will compete heavily with other water users such as Georgia’s families and local businesses.

As a concerned citizen, I urge Georgia EPD to  deny the Plant Washington coal plant draft permits because it will endanger public health.”

Georgia’s Economy needs a Green Future!

Lets ‘Get Smart’ about some things:

Georgia is experiencing some of the worst that the US recession has to offer.  Investments in fossil fuels infrastructure like coal only strengthen the conditions that caused this recession, while investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are some of the only remaining markets with the ability to lift our state economy out of the red and into productive healthy job market.

Foreclosure rates have increased immensely in 2009, leaving Georgia with the sixth highest foreclosure rate in the country.

The latest joblessness rates for the state jumped from just 6.4 percent in July 2008, to over 10.3 percent in late August 2009, the highest Georgia joblessness rates since the number started being recorded.

Recent decreases in joblessness numbers in some of Georgia’s central and northern counties- like Washington County, where unemployment rates reach >15-20%-are being attributed to the fact that so many people have simply given up the search for work.

Georgia has the 5th largest population, 1.68 million people, of uninsured citizens who have to cover expensive medical bills out of pocket.  And, as Georgia utility’s continue to invest heavily in fossil fuel and nuclear technology, the state’s electricity rates continue to rise.

Each of these factors is placing greater immediate stress and strain on Georgia’s families and business owners as they try to cover their most basic costs. Yet, instead of making rash and hurried economic decisions, we need to be using this slow economic period to assess our current economic strategies, and to make smart investment decisions that will help lower costs and create the healthy job markets that will give citizens the opportunity to lift themselves out of the recession.

Speak Out!

Tuesday October 20th, 6pm

EPD Hearing on Plant Washington Pollution

Ridge Road Elementary School

285 Ridge Rd. Sandersville, Ga 31802

This coming Tuesday, October 20th, the Environmental Protection Division is hosting the second of just two public hearings to gather citizen input about the pollution that would be emitted from the Proposed 850 MW Plant Washington Coal Power Plant.  Attend the hearing to learn whats going on, speak out against the expensive and risky plants pollution, and send a comment to the Georgia EPD: epdcomments@dnr.state.ga.us

There will also be a public information session hosted by local community groups where you can hear expert opinions from researchers, professionals, and residents. This session will begin at 5pm.

Sign up for comments and a carpool!

5pm Information from Experts and Residents

6pm EPD Public Hearing and Comment Period

Recently,the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) issued draft permits for a proposed coal plant near Sandersville, Ga.  In response, thousands of citizens from across the state, concerned for their health and electricity costs, called and wrote emails and letters asking EPD to hold multiple permit hearings in cities around the State.

However, In addition to issuing the draft permits, the state Environmental Protection Division IGNORED the requests of over 1,000 people to hold hearings on this proposed coal plant at locations around the state, and schedule ONLY TWO hearings, both to be held in Sandersville, Georgia.

Find Out More about the Plant here!

As Americans, it is our right and responsibility to remind government officials that we want them to protect our air and water from pollution.

Check out the facebook group here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=135582179840&ref=ts

Dispatch from Washington County: Oct 6th EPD Hearing

Written by Lyle Lansdall, with contributions from Katherine Cumming (www.facenvironment.org)

I attended the October 6th Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Hearing for Plant Washington in Sandersville.  There were approximately 150 people from across the state attending.

Five EPD staffers were seated at a table to the left of a large screen on stage and three Power4Georgian (P4G) spokesmen were seated at a table on the right.  The meeting was filmed and recorded.  The EPD staff presented in turn on solid waste, site suitability, the water withdrawal application, discharge to the river, geological models of Twiggs Clay and Cretaceous aquifers, simulations of well operation and drawdowns at different locations and times, and air permit pollution control measures.  The presentations were highly technical.  They concluded by saying that since the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the EPD regarding CO2 and plant design issues, plans for Plant Washington will proceed.

Four local politicians spoke. Early on, both Mayor Andrews of Sandersville and Washington County Commission Chair Tommy Walker thanked the EPD for their presentation and said they were very glad that Plant Washington is going to bring jobs to the county.  Tommy Walker announced that the Trojan Battery Company closed that day, ending 50 Washington County jobs in one blow.  Later Georgia Representative Mack Jackson repeated the theme, saying Plant Washington jobs were needed.  Only Sandersville Council member Mayme Dennis voiced a question, concerning the transport of coal and waste, saying that debris can blow off trucks and the railroad goes right through some Sandersville neighborhoods.  She said she would pursue more information about the rail transport from Mr. Ben, meaning Ben Tarbutton Jr., who was seated nearby.

Many good questions were asked and points made by citizens of the county and interested students and professional environmentalists who traveled some distance to attend.  A lifelong Washington County resident, Larry Warthen, who is also the Vice-President of the Fall-line Alliance for a Clean Environment (FACE), asked about the ash waste.  Follow-up comments referred to the heavy metals in the ash. The EPD stated that the ash will be stored dry after it is washed using the same water over and over again and that the ash pile will have a liner under it. Later, a resident who lives near Jordan Pond expressed concerned about whether Williamson Swamp Creek and an adjacent pond will be safe to swim and fish in if the plant is built.

Georgia Citizens Voice Opposition to New Coal Plant

Cross Posted from Cleanenergy.org

Georgia Citizens attended statewide public hearings on Tuesday to voice their opposition to Plant Washington and their frustration with the lack of public opportunity for comment.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6th, Georgia citizens gathered together at statewide public hearings sponsored by a coalition of organizations called Georgians for Smart Energy. Residents were there to voice opposition to the proposed coal plant – Plant Washington – in hopes of getting their message across to the GA Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

In September, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division denied over 1,000 letters requesting statewide public hearings on Plant Washington’s draft environmental permits and announced that they would host only two meetings on this topic, October 6th and October 20th, in Sandersville, GA. The purpose of the October 6th hearing was to present information and answers to any questions on the draft permits. Public comment on the draft permits will then be taken at the October 20th hearing. Written comment can be submitted until October 27th. The draft permits are for air pollutants, surface water withdrawal, groundwater withdrawal, and water discharge.