As other Southeast states take a stand to improve their energy efficiency and air quality, Georgia has taken a step backwards after granting permits to Dynegy, a Houston- based energy company, to begin construction of a 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Early County, called Longleaf Energy Station.
Coal-fired power plants are the largest manmade source of harmful pollutants in the country. Instead of pursuing more efficient and clean energy generating systems, the Longleaf project will be the first coal-power plant to be built in Georgia since the 1980s, contributing to an increase in asthma cases, chronic bronchitis, heart attacks, and premature death from heart and lung disease.
Since 2002, Georgia’s power plants have increased carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent, roughly 16.8 million tons, which is the highest increase in the country except for Texas. The Longleaf station is expected to increase this amount by 13 percent, emitting 9 million tons of carbon dioxide a year -- half the total for every car, truck, bus and subway in New York City combined.
Despite evidence about greenhouse gases and health risks associated with pollutants from coal-fired plants, there is no limit on the amount of carbon dioxide Dynegy is allowed to emit in the air permit issued by the Environmental Protection Division.
Carbon dioxide is not the only chemical the new power plant will emit for us to breathe. In addition to nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, the Longleaf Energy Station is expected to emit 3,520 ounces of mercury a year, while only 0.02 ounces is needed to contaminate a household. Today, 20,000 children are born in Georgia each year with high levels of mercury in their blood.
To Georgia’s credit, the state has tried to tighten its lenient restrictions on mercury emissions, due to pressure from neighboring states. However, the Longleaf Energy Station will be a major setback for their cause.
Other alternatives for cleaner technologies were not even considered, including a process called “integrated gasification combine cycle.” This process produces less airborne pollutants and waste, and uses significantly less water than traditional power plants. In other states, this process is required as the best available control technology for a power plant to even be considered. Why would Dynegy not use this newer technology? Because it is more profitable to use the older technology.
During the drought last year, businesses all around the state were making a conscious effort to conserve water, at times up to 30 percent. Power plants already collectively accounted for 51 percent of the state’s total water use. The Longleaf power plant will create a net loss of 20 million gallons of water a day for Georgia. That amount of wasted water equals the daily household consumption of over 119,000 residents in North Georgia.
Early County is a largely agricultural area and one of the poorest counties in the state, with 23 percent of the county’s population living in poverty. While the Longleaf plant will produce new jobs, there are cleaner alternatives to stimulate Early County’s economy. On average, renewable energy, such as solar, wind and ethanol fuel derived from pine trees, produces 40 percent more jobs per dollar invested than coal power plants. Further, under the current contract agreement between Early County and Dynegy, many of the tax revenues that will help this economically depressed county will not be realized until the 20th year of the plant’s operation.
As neighboring states, particularly North Carolina and Florida, have begun enforcing tighter environmental regulations to ensure that energy companies are using the best available technologies, Georgia becomes more enticing for companies looking to build coal-fired power plants. If the Longleaf Energy Station is permitted to begin operation, this would encourage other coal power plants to be built. Another coal power plant in Sandersville, similar to Longleaf, is already being proposed after a recent judicial decision to uphold Dynegy’s permits.
Georgia, especially metropolitan Atlanta, is growing at a rapid pace, and energy needs have to be addressed. The state needs good-paying jobs and the kind of corporate investment that will help strengthen our economy. But given the impact the Longleaf plant will have on air and water quality, the cost of doing business, in this case, is just too high given other viable alternatives.
Why would an agency of the state approve permits for inefficient technologies that so obviously endanger and disadvantage Georgians, resulting in50 years of poorer air quality and water loss? A hearing on May 9 before the Fulton County Superior Court will examine this question. If the answer is that this is what the law requires, then it is clear that the laws need to be changed so Georgia can be a leader in finding effective power solutions through efficient and renewable energy sources.
Paul Donaldson is a graduating senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business at Emory University. A Washington, D.C., resident, he plans to move to Atlanta after graduation.