Georgia environmentalists are decrying the state’s final go-ahead for a coal plant in Early County west of Albany. Environment Georgia says each year the plant will emit greenhouses gases equal to 1.3 million cars. Greenhouse gases are blamed for global warming. Just this week, President George Bush ordered aides to draft regulations on greenhouse gases.
But the proposed plant does not meet national standards on pollution control, according to Environment Georgia’s Policy Manager Jennette Gayer. She says, "If you look at the permit that’s been issued this really is the dirtiest, old school, coal-fired power plant. They’re using standard technology that’s dirtier than plants proposed around the country. So we’re looking at ways that if we have to have a coal-fired power plant, make sure it’s the cleanest possible coal-fired power plant."
Environmentalists also say that while Georgia will suffer the brunt of the plant’s pollution, most of the power it produces could go out of state. The Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest plans to spearhead the legal efforts to stop the plant.
But the proposed plant does not meet national standards on pollution control, according to Environment Georgia’s Policy Manager Jennette Gayer. She says, "If you look at the permit that’s been issued this really is the dirtiest, old school, coal-fired power plant. They’re using standard technology that’s dirtier than plants proposed around the country. So we’re looking at ways that if we have to have a coal-fired power plant, make sure it’s the cleanest possible coal-fired power plant."
Environmentalists also say that while Georgia will suffer the brunt of the plant’s pollution, most of the power it produces could go out of state. The Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest plans to spearhead the legal efforts to stop the plant.
