Coal-fired power plant losing support,
environmentalists say
May 20 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Rob Pavey The Augusta Chronicle,
Ga.
Four of 10 electric membership cooperatives planning a $2 billion coal-fired
power plant in Washington County have pulled out of the project, according
to environmental groups that have campaigned against the 850-megawatt
generating station.
Jackson Electric Membership Corp., Diverse Power Inc., Excelsior EMC and
GreyStone Power Corp. all announced this week their intentions to abandon
participation in the project, said Midge Sweet, the campaign director for
Georgians for Smart Energy.
The plant, which would be built near Sandersville about 70 miles from
Augusta, would use coal to generate electricity for as many as 700,000
Georgians. The consortium planning the project, Power4Georgians, LLC, still
has six partners who would undertake a larger stake in the new plant.
Georgians for Smart Energy contends the plant would emit unacceptable levels
of pollution and have lobbied for investments in cleaner power sources.
Georgia's Environmental Protection Division, which is processing permits for
the plant, estimates the plant's annual emissions would include 678 tons of
soot particles, 1,896 tons of sulfur dioxide, 145 tons of sulfuric acid,
1,160 pounds of lead, 120 pounds of mercury.
Ms. Sweet said in a press release today that Georgians for Smart Energy will
continue efforts to persuade the project's remaining partners, including two
in the Atlanta area, Snapping Shoals EMC and Cobb EMC, to pull out of the
consortium.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222 or
rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com
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