Coal plant that was set to close now powers Georgia’s data center growth
Georgia Power will keep Plant Scherer near Juliette operating indefinitely rather than retiring it in 2028, citing rising electricity demand from industries including data centers. Residents and environmental advocates continue to raise concerns about coal ash contamination, groundwater, health impacts and the plant’s water use, while a related lawsuit was dismissed in 2024.
Georgia Power has abandoned plans to retire Plant Scherer in 2028 and will keep the Monroe County coal plant operating indefinitely. The company cited accelerating electricity demand from emerging industries, including data centers, and said it has invested in emissions controls and continues to monitor groundwater around the plant’s coal ash facilities.
Juliette residents and environmental advocates allege that the plant’s unlined ash pond contaminated groundwater and contributed to health problems. Georgia Power disputes the claims, and the Monroe County Superior Court dismissed a residents’ lawsuit in 2024. The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the company’s plan this summer, despite opposition from residents and advocates who also warned about the plant’s substantial water consumption and continued reliance on coal to supply data center growth.