Judge Delays Coal-Fired Power Plant Decision

An Atlanta judge has delayed a crucial ruling about a permit for a coal-fired power station. Administrative Judge Stephanie Howells says the delay is due to the complexity of the case.

Judge Howells must decide whether to allow the Environmental Protections Division to issue a permit for the Longleaf power station in Early Co.

In June, lawyers for Friends of the Chattahoochee and the Sierra Club filed suit challenging the permit for the 1200 megawatt power plant.

The suit charged that the builders, Houston-based Dynegy Corporation, failed to include limitations for carbon dioxide and sulphur emissions.

Judge Howells says she will deliver her ruling by January 11.

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Judge's ruling limits Early Co. power-plant opponents

Bulletin board in City Hall at Early Co. seat, Blakely, with flyer
expressing support for power-plant builders, LS Power.
(Photo: Dave Bender)

Southwest Georgia groups fighting a power-plant in Early County saw their legal appeal partially stymied in an Atlanta courtroom on Friday.

The judge okayed the plaintiffs' lawsuit against the Longleaf coal-fired power station, but rejected two of their key contentions:

• That the State Environmental Division imposed no limits on carbon dioxide emissions
  
• That EPA's existing regulations on dust emissions aren't strict enough, and would endanger area residents.

Michael Vogt, director of project development at LS Power, says the judge was right to reject those charges:

"We're complying with the current regulations related to carbon dioxide. Whether they're going to have standards that we're going to have to meet in the future; we'll meet them whenever they come into effect, but currently, there are none for a facility such as ours.

"We're complying with all of the rules and regulations that are in place to do exactly what they're concerned about: to protect their health and the environment that's around them."

Hearings on the 17-counts against the project will continue next month. Vogt expects a decision on the issues in mid-November.

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