Environmental Groups Still Fighting to Stop New Coal Plant in Central GA
Nick Humphries via Flickr
The first stage of construction on a new coal plant in central Georgia began earlier this month, but environmental groups are still fighting to stop the project.
John Suttles of the Southern Environmental Law Center says the proposed Plant Washington is simply a bad deal for ratepayers.
“At a time when other independent power providers are shutting down existing coal plants because they cannot compete with natural gas and other alternatives to provide low cost electricity, it makes no sense to build a new two plus billion dollar coal plant.”
In addition to cost concerns, Suttles says the plant would be out of compliance with new federal clean air regulations. Last year, plant developers did in fact receive an exemption from the stricter standards. But Suttles maintains it was granted wrongfully. His organization is looking into a lawsuit.
Meanwhile, project developer Dean Alford of Allied Energy Services says the exemption is lawful and maintains the new coal plant will benefit the state.
“I think one of the mistakes people are making is choosing this or that. I think the state needs renewables, needs nuclear, needs natural gas, need coal – a balance of all of the above – to ensure affordable, reliable energy going forward.”
The plant is scheduled for completion by early 2019.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Top Stories
