Coal Plant Proposed for Washington County - Facts and Timeline

Update November 2009: Last year, Power4Georgians submitted an application to Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to build a coal-fired power plant at a time when citizens in every state across the nation are questioning the safety and efficiency of generating electric energy from burning pulverized coal. In August 2009 EPD released draft permits for several of the permits that will be required to operate and construct the coal-fired power plant in Sandersville. The permits include a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit, which will address the air emissions of such pollutants as mercury, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and more. The permit can be found on EPD's website.

EPD also released a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, a water withdrawal permit, and a groundwater withdrawal permit which are not available on EPD's website, but can be obtained by
visiting EPD in Atlanta.

A public hearing was held in at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20 in Sandersville. The hearing was attended by 321 people; 51 spoke against the plant, 14 in favor of it.

Working in partnership with SELC, GreenLaw sent detailed comments on the plant's air, water, and solid waste permits to EPD on October 27. These comments can be viewed here:

Air Quality Permit Comments

Solid Waste Permit Comments

Water Discharge Permit Comments

Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Comments

Surface Water Withdrawal Permit Comments

Add your name to those opposing new coal plants in Georgia.

Final permits are expected to be issued in Spring 2010.

GreenLaw website.