By Mark Woodall
Georgia Chapter Legislative Chair
Now that Georgia has only two coal burning power plants open (Plants Bowen and Scherer), transportation is the number one source of carbon pollution in our state.
In addition to more transit, the answer to the problem is electrification of transportation. SK battery, Rivian, and Hyundai/Kia are investing billions to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) in Georgia. So you would expect the Georgia Legislature to establish policies promoting EVs.
However, the main concern of the recently created Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation is funding the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) and road contractors.
In 2015, the Georgia Legislature passed HB 170, which destroyed the EV market in our state by repealing a $5,000 state tax credit for purchasing EVs and replaced it with the highest EV annual fee in the country. That same year was the last time the Georgia Legislature increased the state’s motor fuel tax. We need to make sure lawmakers don't kill EV sales again.
In his closing remarks at a meeting of the Study Committee earlier this year, Co-Chair Sen. Steve Gooch said some thought that the current $200 a year EV fee was too much and some thought too little (it's actually $213.70 a year and still the highest in the U.S.) Gooch also mentioned that Amazon will soon have an electric delivery fleet in Georgia paying zero motor fuel tax while putting tens of thousands of miles on the road every year. Gooch seems interested in how to "capture" that revenue from charging EVs.
According to a presentation at the October 3 Study Committee meeting, the national average for annual fees for electric vehicles in states that impose them is $121, while the national average for the amount of gas tax paid by residents with an internal combustion engine is $134. So there is no crisis caused by EVs. Georgia EV drivers now are paying more than what their motor fuel tax would be on a similar gasoline powered vehicle.
So our first message to Georgia legislators is no more fees or taxes on EVs. If anything, the annual EV registration fee should be reduced and the state tax credit for EVs should be reestablished.
In other energy related legislation, Georgia Power refuses to pay a fair price for power generated by its customers’ rooftop solar. "Net metering" is a billing mechanism that provides credits to households with solar energy systems when they provide excess electricity back to the grid. It serves as a strong incentive for individual consumers to install solar panels. However, Georgia Power capped the number of households that can participate in the program at 5,000 and has shown no support for expanding the program. Expanding the "net metering" program is an issue in the Georgia Power Rate Case (click here to read more and to take action on the 2022 Rate Case). Still, legislation is likely to be needed for Georgians to be able to invest in solar power.
Additionally, the threat of mining Trial Ridge next to the Okefenokee is unfortunately still alive. Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, an Alabama-based mining company, is seeking permits to establish a mining operation on the doorstep of the Okefenokee Swamp. The proposed mining site is on an ancient sand dune called Trail Ridge that serves as the eastern barrier of the Okefenokee Swamp. Experts say mining in this area could have significant and potentially catastrophic impacts on the hydrology of the Okefenokee and the surrounding wetlands.
A bill to outlaw mining in this area failed to get a vote in the 2022 Legislative Session, so passage of similar legislation that would prevent mining of Trail Ridge will be a priority for 2023.
Sierrans should let their state legislators know how they feel on these issues. Join the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's legislative lobbying program by signing up at this link. We’ll give you regular updates about what’s going on at the Capitol, let you know when key bills are coming up for a vote, and help you contact your representatives. Together, we can make real and lasting change here in Georgia.