State Advocacy

Make a Difference in Georgia

The Okefenokee

Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp is a 438,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge located in the southeast part of the state. It is the largest blackwater swamp in the United States and one of the state's Seven Natural Wonders. Home to a variety of rare plant and animal species including the red-cockaded woodpecker, the indigo snake, and the wood stork, the Okefenokee is truly a national treasure!

Yet the swamp is in danger! Twin Pines Minerals, LLC is seeking permits to operate heavy mineral sand mines on Trail Ridge near the swamp. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) along with respected scientists have warned such mining would unsettle the delicate ecosystem of the area, causing irreversible damage to the wetlands, destroying vital animal habitats, and increasing the frequency of droughts and wildfires in the state.

The FWS proposes expanding the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to include the site of the proposed mine along Trail Ridge. This would mean lasting protections for the Okefenokee. Join GIPL and our partners at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) in telling the FWS this is a great plan to safeguard the Wild Heart of Georgia! 

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.

Energy Burden

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 electric bills continue to rise and heat waves in Georgia increase due to human-caused climate change. This 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.

Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) continues to intervene at the Public Service Commission (PSC) to advocate for meaningful bill relief for Georgia residents and the expansion of solar statewide.

We’re proud of our recent settlement in which Georgia Power agreed to expand its energy efficiency programs to .75% of annual retail sales starting in 2025; a roughly 50% increase. These programs invest in Georgians’ homes to reduce energy use and make bills less expensive. The company also agreed to expand a popular bill relief program that was previously limited to a small group of income-qualified seniors—pledging to add up to 96,000 new participants over the next three years.

Join us in continuing to pressure elected officials and Georgia Power to keep utility bills renewable and affordable! Learn more about the Public Service Commission HERE and find contact information for your representatives below.

Coal Ash

Coal Ash is the sludge-like waste left over from burning coal for electricity, and it contains toxins like arsenic, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. Currently, the majority of the 6 million tons of coal ash that has been produced in Georgia is being stored in 29 unlined ash ponds across the state. Most of the ash ponds are located adjacent to Georgia’s rivers and streams, from the banks of the Chattahoochee River to Lake Sinclair, to the Savannah River on the coast, and the Flint River in South Georgia. 

Recent disasters in surrounding states spilled toxic coal ash into rivers and across people’s land in the southeast. And in recent years, pollution monitoring by power companies shows that these unlined pits are leaking and continuing to contaminate Georgia’s groundwater. In addition to the coal ash being stored along Georgia’s rivers and lakes, coal ash produced by surrounding states is being shipped and stored in landfills across Georgia without thorough monitoring, or public notification.

This lack of regulation is threatening Georgia’s clean water and millions’ health. Learn more HERE and ask your legislators to require safe clean-up of the toxic coal ash pits. 

Formed in 2002, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light is a proud member of the Georgia Water Coalition, an alliance of more than 275 organizations committed to ensuring that water is managed fairly for all Georgians and protected for future generations. Much of our state advocacy work runs through them.

Learn more at gawater.org and take action at protectgeorgia.org.

Find and Contact Your Elected Officials