Say Yes to Clean Energy
Make a Difference in Georgia
Energy Burden and Data Centers
Low-income communities and communities of color face significantly higher energy burden. Energy burden is defined by the United States Department of Energy as “the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs.” While the average energy burden ranges between 1-3% for the most affluent, in poorer Georgia communities energy burden exceeds 10%. This is morally wrong and unfair. Monthly, families are forced to make the impossible decision of keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.
The energy burden in Georgia has become worse over the last several years as more energy-intensive data centers swarm the state, driving up energy bills. This is only exacerbated by the increasing frequency of extreme heat waves due to human-caused climate change.
The energy burden is felt especially by Georgia Power billpayers. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) reports that in June 2023, one of the hottest months on record, “Georgia Power disconnected power to nearly 20,000 Georgia residents for nonpayment and charged residents more than $1,287,000 in late fees.” While costs of renewable energy like solar continue to decrease, Georgia Power insists on investing in energy that is dirty and expensive.
We’re working at every level to ensure the energy burden of large customers, like data centers, is not unfairly placed on everyday Georgians. GIPL supports policies that promote corporate responsibility and prevent unnecessary bill increases for local communities.
Clean Energy Planning
At Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), we are actively advocating for meaningful bill relief and expanded solar access for Georgia residents at the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The PSC, a five-member elected board, regulates Georgia’s monopoly utility, Georgia Power. Tasked with ensuring “safe, reliable, and reasonably priced energy” for all Georgians, the commission approves bill increases and determines the state’s energy resources.
Right now, Georgia Power is pushing for a dramatic increase in fossil fuels in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The company is asking the PSC to reverse commitments to retire coal plants and expand electricity generation from methane gas—jeopardizing public health, increasing costs, and delaying our clean energy future.
Alongside the Southface Institute and our legal partners at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), we are intervening in this critical process to push for a better path. Expanding access to clean energy, increasing efficiency programs, and supporting local solar initiatives will lower costs for families, protect public health, and create a more resilient and equitable energy system. But we can’t do this alone.
Learn more about the IRP process HERE and sign our petition below to tell the Public Service Commission: Say NO to fossil fuel expansion and YES to a clean energy future—one that reflects our shared responsibility to care for our neighbors and protect our Common Home!
Biomass
Roughly 20% of Georgia Power’s energy portfolio is comprised of biomass or the burning of biological material for energy. As one might imagine, Georgia’s biomass industry relies heavily on trees cut from southern forests. Instead of allowing trees to grow, capture carbon, decompose naturally, and fertilize the soil around them, they are cutting down the trees working hardest to recapture atmospheric carbon.
Biomass companies falsely claim this process is clean and renewable, but the truth is that clear-cutting mature trees at a scale needed to supply power plants ruins vital ecosystems and the burning of wood pellets for power emits more carbon per megawatt produced than burning coal.
Emissions from biomass plants increase the effects of the climate crisis and make the air more toxic for surrounding communities. In Georgia, these are primarily low-income, rural, and coastal communities.
We believe there are better options to pursue, like solar.
Learn more about the environmental impacts of biomass from our partner the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) HERE.