Press Releases
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Georgia revokes biomass facility’s unlawful air permit after conservation groups’ legal challenge
ATLANTA —The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has revoked the permit amendment of a biomass wood pellet facility after the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), on behalf of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) and Sierra Club, mounted a legal challenge arguing the amendment violated the Clean Air Act.
Georgia Public Service Commission approves shockingly high contract price for biomass energy
ATLANTA — Today the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to approve three contracts to burn woody biomass for energy that will result in several billions of dollars in cost overruns, impacting Georgia Power Customers’ bills for decades.
In honor of World River Day, over 200 faithful Georgians to pick trash out of Atlanta waterways
ATLANTA — This weekend on Sunday, Sept. 15, in celebration of World River Day, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Ismaili CIVIC, and over 200 local faith leaders have teamed up to act upon a shared ethic of environmental stewardship and cleanup sites at seven major waterways in metro Atlanta: three in DeKalb County, two in Fulton County, one in Fayette County, and one in Gwinnett County.
Warnock’s Office To Mark IRA Anniversary with GIPL and Georgia BRIGHT in Statesboro
ATLANTA — In honor of the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) is hosting a press conference with Senator Warnock’s office on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Statesboro, to celebrate the congregation’s new solar project made possible by the historic legislation.
Groups challenge Georgia biomass facility’s unlawful air permit
ATLANTA — Today the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), on behalf of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) and Sierra Club, is challenging a move by Georgia regulators to allow a biomass wood pellet plant to double its pollution limits without complying with Clean Air Act requirements.
Conservation Groups Petition EPA to Revoke Georgia’s CCR Permit Program
ATLANTA — Today the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Coosa River Basin Initiative, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, the Sierra Club, and others, petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke Georgia’s Partial Coal Ash Permit Program because it allows coal ash pollution of Georgia’s water resources by authorizing disposal of toxic coal ash in the groundwater, in violation of national safety standards.
GIPL helps Oakhurst Presbyterian Church Secure Solar
Decatur, Ga. — As of Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with the help of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur now has the capacity to produce 20.6 kW of its own power thanks to 51 newly installed solar panels on the congregation’s roof. Visible from the street, these panels are a witness to the church’s work as stewards of Sacred Earth.
Nonprofit Helps Church in Statesboro Secure Solar Through Georgia BRIGHT Program
Statesboro, Ga.—Last month, with the help of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), Trinity Episcopal Church in Statesboro, Georgia became the first faith community in the state to sign a solar energy procurement agreement (SEPA) with Georgia BRIGHT—a first-of-its-kind solar program designed to help low to moderate-income communities cut power bills and carbon emissions.
Georgia Public Service Commission approves burning more fossil fuels for energy
ATLANTA — Today the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Georgia Power’s off-cycle request to burn more fossil fuels for energy as they seek to attract more large-load customers, including data centers, potentially exposing residential and small business customers to greater air pollution and bill hikes.
Interfaith Organization Supports EPA’s New Vehicle Emission Standards
WASHINGTON—Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) commends today’s announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) providing new national tailpipe emission standards. People of faith know well the value of being a good neighbor and protecting the vulnerable.
Cumming Church is one of Six National Winners of Interfaith Power and Light’s Cool Congregations Award
WASHINGTON—Cumming First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Cumming, Georgia is one of only six national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) Cool Congregations awarded a $1,000 prize in 2024. This annual contest accepts applications from religious communities across the United States working to address climate change.
Georgia Faith Communities Organize at Summit to Build Local Climate Resilience
Decatur, Ga. — Saturday, Feb. 3 Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) hosted its sixth annual Green Team Summit at Oak Grove United Methodist Church (UMC) in Decatur, Georgia focused on climate resilience. Over 230 faith leaders and environmental advocates came together to learn and grow, considering how they might weather the effects of global warming together.
EPA Finalizes Stronger Soot Pollution Standards Following Advocacy from Georgia Faith Communities
ATLANTA — Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced stronger soot pollution standards following advocacy efforts by faith communities in Georgia. Since 2023, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) has gathered over 700 comments from faith leaders and religiously affiliated environmental advocates urging the EPA to strengthen its ambient air quality standards, also known as soot.
Over 200 Faith Leaders To Gather In Decatur Next Week To Consider Climate Resiliency in Georgia
DECATUR, Ga. — Over 200 faith leaders and environmental advocates will gather next Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia for a Green Team Summit on climate resiliency hosted by Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL). This day-long event is designed to provide attendees with practical insights for cultivating climate resilience in their local communities and building a resilient democracy by advocating for environmentally just policies statewide.
Georgia Public Service Commission Decides Vogtle’s Final Cost to Ratepayers
ATLANTA — Today the Georgia Public Service Commission held a final vote on how much Georgia Power will charge billpayers for Plant Vogtle construction costs after meaningful involvement from all intervenors. While customers will be on the hook for $7.562 billion in project construction costs, the commission agreed to many pro-consumer terms supported by Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), and other consumer advocate groups.
Adamah Launches Adamah ATL, in partnership with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light
ATLANTA — Adamah, North America’s leading Jewish environmental organization, is launching Adamah ATL, a regional community impact hub. In partnership with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), and with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Adamah ATL will mobilize the local Atlanta community around Adamah’s areas of national programming while leveraging GIPL’s expertise engaging faith communities in practical climate solutions and advocacy in Georgia.
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light Announces $57,000 in Energy Efficiency Grants to Congregations
DECATUR, Ga. — Environmental nonprofit, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), has awarded $57,000 in matching grants to 20 faith communities in Georgia to reduce energy consumption on their campuses next year. As part of their larger Power-Wise program, these grants, of up to $7,000 per congregation, are designed to help faith communities lower their carbon footprint by reducing the amount of energy they consume.
Faith Leaders Rally for Protection of the Okefenokee
FOLKSTON, Ga. — Representatives from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant faith communities across Georgia gathered at the Okefenokee Swamp Wednesday, Dec. 6 for a prayer vigil, urging lawmakers to enact House-Bill 71, “The Okefenokee Protection Act," as part of their upcoming legislative session.
Historic Federal Investment in Official Georgia Marine Mammal
DECATUR, Ga. —The United States Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this week $82 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to protect North Atlantic Right Whales, Georgia's official marine mammal. This is part of a $2.6 billion dollar framework the Biden-Harris Administration has proposed to invest in coastal resilience.
Georgia Power settles with SELC on Vogtle’s final cost to ratepayers
ATLANTA — Today the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) and Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE), agreed to settlement terms with Georgia Power that will offset rate increases from Plant Vogtle construction costs and provide additional much-needed bill relief for seniors and lower-income Georgians.