By Patty Durand, Bobby McLendon
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/25/06

Can't afford ills of more dirty plants: Plan clouds clean energy efforts

There are few issues besides energy that combine so many of the challenges we face today. When asthma rates spike in the summer and our children are sent to the hospital to help them breathe, it's because the smog levels are above healthy standards. When we hear about rising global temperatures, it's because the fossil fuels we burn are spewing out greenhouse gases. And when we wonder why the state says Georgians should limit their fish consumption from Georgia's rivers and streams, it's because of the high amounts of mercury in the water.

Smog, mercury, global warming are all effects of the energy that comes from coal-fired power plants.

Coal-fired power plants are one of the dirtiest ways to produce electricity, and licensing more of them speeds the threat we all face from global warming. Yet that is exactly what the state of Georgia is on the verge of doing. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division recently issued a draft air pollution permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant in Early County in southwest Georgia.

The proposed LS Power plant would be one of the largest new coal plants in the country, generating 1,200 megawatts of electricity, which is enough energy to power more than 1,000 Wal-Marts.

Like every new power plant, it comes on-line with an expected life cycle of up to 70 years. Not only will it be around for decades, but if constructed as proposed, this plant will emit 10 million-15 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, the greenhouse gas causing global warming.

This is the equivalent of adding 1.5 million new cars on the roads. It will emit 220 pounds of mercury per year, most of it eventually ending up in our rivers, lakes and streams where it could contaminate more fish.

The plant will also emit thousands of tons of pollutants that cause smog and haze, which will be visible to residents and cause degraded air quality. And the proposed coal plant would be a huge water consumer, requiring 20 million gallons of water daily from the Chattahoochee River.

Ironically, at the same time one branch of state government is moving forward to make this plant a reality, another branch is developing Georgia's first ever comprehensive State Energy Strategy at the request of Gov. Sonny Perdue. Perdue is expected to ask the Legislature to approve legislation to help implement several of the recommendations in the plan. The goal of the State Energy Strategy is to offer recommendations to determine what sources of electricity we should rely upon in the future and their impact on our communities. How will LS Power fit in the new plan? No one knows —- the energy strategy is not final and this new source of coal fired electricity has not been integrated into the plan.

Public health advocates are also growing increasingly concerned about issues surrounding energy. For example, the Medical Association of Georgia recently passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on building new coal-fired power plants unless certain criteria were met. They urged state government and utilities to develop comprehensive energy conservation programs before approving new coal-burning power plants.

When the Governor's Energy Policy Council meets next month, we urge it to consider that the fastest and cheapest way to solve our energy challenges without adding more pollution to our air is to adopt existing and proven conservation technologies —- some as simple as light-emitting diode bulbs for traffic signals and compact fluorescent bulbs at home.

Studies also show 35 percent of all electricity is wasted. Efficiency programs help people learn how to save money and waste less, and new technologies resulting from renewable programs mean new and better jobs for Georgia. Georgia has untapped potential for renewable energy and the new technology and innovations they include.

Is coal really the power source that Georgia wants to continue to embrace? It seems premature and irresponsible to license this plant before the governor has even seen the final State Energy Strategy plan. It's time to apply the brakes.

Georgia can be a technological leader. We have the can-do spirit and know-how right here to solve our energy problems. But it will take guts and political leadership to put the proposed LS Power Plant on hold until we have a plan to shape a new energy future for Georgia.

Patty Durand directs the Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club. Bobby McLendon is president of Friends of the Chattahoochee.