ATLANTA — This week, Georgia Power filed information with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) revealing the results of an “all source” request for proposals (RFP) that would add about 8,000 MW of electricity to the utility’s capacity. All told, the proposal would cost more than $15 billion. As confirmed in the recent Integrated Resource Plan proceedings at the PSC, more than 80% of the increase in electricity demand is coming from data centers.
The proposal, which needs to be certified by the PSC, calls for a massive amount of new gas-burning infrastructure, including new combined cycle turbines at Plant Bowen near Cartersville, Plant Wansley near Carrollton, and Plant McIntosh near Rincon. The proposal calls for these new turbines to be online for the next 45 years. Additionally, the proposal includes long-term agreements to purchase additional fossil fuel generated electricity from plants inside and outside of Georgia.
In response, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director Adrien G. Webber issued the following response:
“In order to meet the massive spike in demand for electricity from data centers, Georgia Power and its parent company, Southern Company, want to heat up the planet, pollute our air, and make their customers pay for it. And what a coincidence that the winning bids were mostly from resources that Southern Company will own and that this was announced the same day the company reported a slight dip in profits! This proposal is not in the best interest of Georgia Power’s customers or our environment, and if we had a Public Service Commission that actually worked for the public, it would be dismissed as unreasonable.”
About the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter
The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter is the largest grassroots environmental organization in the state, with more than 75,000 members and supporters. The Chapter supports a robust outings program and has active committees working on forest and coastal protection, transit expansion, and clean energy. For more information, visit sierraclub.org/georgia.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit sierraclub.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ricky Leroux, Communications Strategist
470-719-4512 | ricky.leroux@sierraclub.org