Dust-up over coal-fired power plant

Environmental groups opened a legal challenge in Atlanta today to halt the construction of a new coal-fired power plant in southwest Georgia.

A coalition of activists are challenging a Georgia Environmental Division permit for the 1,200-megawatt facility in Early County, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. The appeal, submitted by the Sierra Club and residents of Early County opposing the plant, temporarily stays the permit.

The groups claim the permit violates the Georgia Air Quality act and the federal Clean Air act.

“If this coal plant is built, we will have to breathe in even more pollution that is swept in by the winds from south Georgia.” said Justine Thompson of the Center for Law in the Public Interest.

“We have enough pollution in Georgia, and truth be told – we have enough power,” Thompson told reporters at the capitol.

“Dynegy will sell its power to other states, so Georgia will not get most of the power, Georgia will not get the profits – but Georgia will get the pollution,” she said.

Dynegy Inc., a Houston-based energy company, is planning and building the plant together with New Jersey-based LS Power.

The appeal outlines 17 legal reasons which the permit should be denied. It now goes to an administrative law judge.

(Susanna Capelouto)