Placard of the group backing the bill. Click photo for a larger image. (Photo: Dave Bender)
A state legislator today introduced a bill to phase-out use of mountaintop strip-mined coal in Georgia's power plants.
The so-called Appalachian Mountains Preservation and Clean Energy Act would freeze permits for coal-fired power plants in Georgia for five years and limit strip mining.
Appalachian Mountains Preservation and Clean Energy Act sponsors at the Capitol, Feb. 3, 2009: (L-R) (D) Mary-Margaret Oliver - Decatur, (D) Debbie Buckner - Columbus, (D) Brian Thomas - Gwinnett. (Photo: Dave Bender)
The bill's sponsor Democratic representative Mary-Margaret Oliver of Decatur says Georgia needs to look elsewhere for its power:
"Coal is not a part of the future of energy production in Georgia, by most experts' analysis. We have to find alternative sources; we have to find renewable sources; we have to be part of an economic energy-planning process that's fair to the state, fair to the environment and fair to the ratepayers."Coal industry representatives say such a moratorium is impractical. They say there are not enough alternative energy sources to provide for Georgia's growing power needs.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of Georgia's energy issues.
