Georgia PSC Refuses to Reconsider Data Center Energy Plan

ATLANTA - Despite clear opposition from Georgians, the Georgia Public Service Commission has refused to reconsider Georgia Power's plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the nation to serve data centers.

The PSC voted 3-2 to reject the Sierra Club, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light and Southface Institute, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's motion to reconsiderGeorgia Power's "Requests for Proposals," or RFP, which the PSC approved on Dec. 19.

In response, the Sierra Club, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy released the following statements:

"The PSC has approved a plan to build the most expensive fossil fuel expansion in the country- a plan that was thoroughly rejected by Georgians at the ballot box in November. Now, Georgia Power will make our bills go up by about $20 a month to service Big Tech data centers that are invading our communities," said Michael Hawthorne, Campaign Organizing Strategist for the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign. "Why are we asking the people of Georgia to suffer for the sake of data centers? The PSC is made to protect us from corporate greed, not to rubber stamp Georgia Power's plans to abuse and exploit us."

"Commissioners Johnson and Hubbard voted as representatives of the people to reconsider this RFP. It's crystal clear that Georgians are fed up with Georgia Power's unchecked power to build whatever is necessary to line its pockets at the expense of the rest of the state," said Adrien Webber, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director. "But the rest of the commission is committed to supporting state sanctioned corporate welfare, refusing to hold Georgia Power accountable and protect Georgia ratepayers"

"Today the PSC doubled down on its determination to be Georgia Power's doormat. The PSC denied our motion and calls from the public to reconsider Georgia Power's overblown planthat saddles customers with expensive and polluting fossil gas power plants through 2075," said Maggie Shober, Research Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "The magnitude of this decades-long plan deserves careful analysis and public input rather than hasty approval that will benefit shareholders while families and businesses continue to see bills rise."

"Today's decision by the Public Service Commission to grant Georgia Power's request to nearly double its grid without discussion or proven need could cost billpayers billions and locks us into decades of fossil-fuel infrastructure," said Codi Norred, Executive Director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL). "This is once again a blank check for Georgia Power and its shareholders. Where is the transparency and accountability?"

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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 https://www.sierraclub.org.