Groups Challenge PSC’s Approval of Massive Georgia Power Gas Expansion

Environmental organizations and faith communities, led by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and Sierra Club, have filed an appeal in Fulton County Superior Court to challenge the Georgia Public Service Commission's (PSC) December decision. They seek judicial review of the PSC's approval of Georgia Power's proposal to add 10 GW of energy generation, primarily through eight new methane gas units, which Georgia Power claims is needed to meet a projected 80% load growth from data centers. The appeal, filed on behalf of groups including Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), Park Avenue Baptist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), argues that the PSC's decision failed to comply with laws designed to protect the public from overbuilding and customers from unnecessary utility costs. They highlight that the PSC approved building one of the country's most expensive gas units at Plant McIntosh, despite Georgia Power's own modeling showing it wasn't needed for growing demand. Maggie Shober, Research Director from SACE, emphasized the need for transparency and thorough review of energy policy decisions that could lock ratepayers into expensive fossil fuel projects through 2075. Codi Norred, Executive Director of GIPL, and Adrien Webber, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director, echoed concerns about rising utility bills and the burden on Georgians, advocating for decisions made in the public's best interest, not Georgia Power's profits. Reverend Keyanna Jones Moore and Kevin Ionno also voiced concerns about the financial and environmental impact on their congregations and community members. SELC and Sierra Club had previously intervened in the certification proceedings, arguing Georgia Power's load projections were inflated. They also filed a motion for reconsideration, urging the PSC to deny certification of unnecessary gas plants, including units at Plant McIntosh, but the motion was denied in a 3-2 vote by the Commission on February 18.