PSC Staff reverses course on data center concerns, endorses Georgia Power’s fossil fuel reliant plan
Company promises three years of future savings, but deepens Georgia’s reliance on methane gas for decades
ATLANTA—In a stunning reversal to expert claims that Georgia Power’s fossil fuel heavy plan to meet data centers’ needs is a risk to customers, Georgia Public Service Commission Public Interest Advocacy Staff (Staff) and Georgia Power have reached a settlement agreement that, if approved by commissioners, would allow the company to acquire 10 GW (about five Hoover Dams’ worth) of energy resources, including five brand new methane gas burning power units. In return, Georgia Power has committed to “downward pressure” on customers’ bills of at least $8.50 a month for 2029-2031.
The terms of the Georgia Power and staff settlement agreement also include:
Approval of nearly 8GW of resources, including five methane gas-burning units Georgia Power would build, decided by a request for proposal process.
An additional nearly 2GW of “supplemental” resources in addition to the capacity approved by the commission back in July.
The proposed settlement includes a promise that if an asset Georgia Power is building, including the five new methane gas power plants, exceed its estimated cost to build, the company can’t request an increase until at least 6 months before commercial operation.
“Despite unprecedented public attention this fall demanding a new direction for Georgia’s energy future, it’s deeply disappointing to see commission staff and Georgia Power agree to lock customers into decades of dirty fossil-fuel infrastructure,” said Codi Norred, Executive Director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL). “This massive investment of methane gas isn’t just shortsighted; it threatens the health and well-being of faithful Georgians for generations.”
“This is an extraordinary ask that will impact our state for decades. We must be clear-eyed on what this means for the long term, and not be blinded by short-term bill relief,” said Thomas Farmer, VP of advocacy at the Southface Institute. "Georgians deserve load growth done right -- not just fast. This agreement gives Georgia Power everything they've asked for with very little in return for regular Georgians.”
“This agreement exchanges four decades of costs for three years of potential future bill relief. Bill relief is desperately needed, but it is impossible to look past the reality that this agreement greenlights Georgia Power to massively overbuild energy resources with devastating environmental and financial risks,” said Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney in SELC’s Georgia office. “This agreement guarantees dirtier air, water, and health threats for communities living where these new methane plants would be built.”
###
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that inspires and equips communities of faith to organize, implement practical climate solutions, and advocate across Georgia on issues of climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. Born out of the national Interfaith Power and Light movement, GIPL envisions a Georgia where all people can flourish in a healthy environment, a stable climate, and resilient communities.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. Learn more at selc.org.
Southface Institute, the oldest 501(c)3 sustainability nonprofit in the Southeast, was established in 1978 by a group of volunteers who identified a need for community-based solutions focused on energy when energy wasn't yet considered an environmental issue. Since then, Southface has collaborated with nonprofits, businesses, builders, developers, universities, government agencies, and communities to deliver sustainability and resiliency solutions that work for everyone. Learn more about how Southface is building sustainably for life at southface.org, and connect on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.
REV. JAY HORTON
Communications Manager
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Phone: 540.421.6968
Email: jay@gipl.org
TERAH BOYD
Communications Manager (AL/GA)
Southern Environmental Law Center
Phone: 678.234.7990
Email: tboyd@selcga.org
