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Proposed Ben Hill Coal Plant Cancelled in Georgia
Case Updates:
April 11, 2012
On April 10, clean air advocates and environmental groups achieved a big victory when Power4Georgians - the only company trying to develop expensive new coal plants in Georgia - agreed to cancel the proposed Ben Hill coal-fired power plant. The company also agreed to comply with critical new safeguards against mercury pollution and invest $5 million in energy efficiency and renewable projects. Sierra Club, the Fall Line Alliance for a Clean Environment (FACE), Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), and the Ogeechee Riverkeeper, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center and GreenLaw, successfully challenged the air permit for the proposed Plant Washington, and the settlement agreement is pending approval by each group. If built, Power4Georgians’ Plant Washington will have to meet much more protective emission standards for mercury and other air toxins.
“The cancellation of Plant Ben Hill is just one more sign that coal is dead,” says Justine Thompson, attorney for GreenLaw, a nonprofit environmental law firm that is representing organizations in challenges to both Plants Washington and Ben Hill. “Georgia has a promising future – but to be a serious player in the global economy while also ensuring that we have clean air and water, Georgia needs to embrace energy efficiency and more renewable sources of energy. We are now moving one step closer to that goal.”
Details and Documents:
Proposed Ben Hill Coal Plant Cancelled
April 10, 2012, Sierra Club et al. Press Release
News Articles:
Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant Cancelled in Georgia
April 10, 2012, Environment News Service
Ga. developer will cancel Ben Hill power plant; enviros to drop suits over Washington plant
April 10, 2012 by Ray Henry, Associated Press
More Info:
See other "Stopping the Coal Rush" cases.