Georgia regulators have approved a significant expansion of natural gas power plants, potentially increasing the state’s climate pollution, mainly to support the rapid growth of data centers.
The projects, approved by Georgia’s Public Service Commission in December, involve additions to nine natural gas facilities owned or supported by Georgia Power. Environmental groups have criticized this move as an unnecessary expansion of fossil fuels, potentially locking the state into long-term emissions.
“The approval is a setback for climate progress,” said Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “It’s frustrating, as we were making incremental progress.”
The expansion will add approximately 10 gigawatts to Georgia’s power grid—about half of the state’s current capacity—by 2031. Georgia Power, the state’s largest utility under Southern Co., is investing over $16 billion in new transmission and generation infrastructure, with expectations of double-digit returns.
The need for additional power has largely been driven by the state’s rapid data center growth over the past year, according to Georgia Power and the PSC. However, groups like the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Georgia Interfaith Power & Light argue there is insufficient evidence to justify an additional 10 gigawatts.
About 60 percent of the new capacity will come from natural gas, with the remainder from battery storage and two solar projects.
Decades of New Emissions
Three major natural gas expansions will occur at Georgia Power’s Bowen, Wansley, and McIntosh plants, representing over half of the planned gas capacity.
If these new turbines operate at full capacity, they could produce approximately 13.8 million metric tons of CO2 annually—the equivalent of over 3 million cars—and increase Georgia’s annual emissions by over 13 percent.
Six other expansions will be backed by Georgia Power through power-purchase agreements, potentially impacting emissions by 20 million metric tons of CO2 annually.
Georgia Power and the PSC assert the projects aim to meet growing demand while protecting customers.
Georgia Power contends the expansion does not undermine its climate progress. A company representative stated, “We’re proud of our diverse energy mix, reducing carbon emissions by over 60 percent since 2007.”
The PSC stated that it considers all evidence, including emissions and environmental concerns, in its decisions.
Georgia Power’s expansion is among the largest fossil fuel projects nationally. In Texas, the “largest power project” will add 7.65 gigawatts of natural gas. Dominion Energy plans to add about 5.9 gigawatts of natural gas generation, paired with more than 20 GW of renewable energy.
Environmental groups warn of localized air pollution near communities. The Bowen plant expansion would emit significant volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, contributing to smog and respiratory risks.
The McIntosh expansion could affect the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, a sensitive coastal area.
Natural gas plants typically operate for around 50 years, extending Georgia’s reliance on fossil fuels beyond key global emission-reduction targets.
“We will be paying for these for decades,” said Whitfield. “This is not a good deal for Georgians.”
A coalition of energy and environmental groups, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, has formally petitioned the PSC to reconsider its approval of the expansion. A decision is expected later this month.
If the plan proceeds, advocates warn it could reverse over two decades of emission reductions, primarily driven by renewable energy growth and coal plant retirements.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org