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Clean Water

One year later: Coal Ash disposal still a concern for environmental activists

A year and a half ago, Georgia Power announced they would close ALL of their toxic coal ash ponds in Georgia. But environmentalist continue to be concerned about the lack of regulation and transparency with the process. Coal ash, also called coal combustion residuals or CCR, is the waste byproduct from coal-fired power plants. It is a powdery residue that contains heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury that can leach into the local environment.

Energy

Consumers to pay additional $2 billion for Plant Vogtle reactors

Just before the holidays, Georgia Power ratepayers received an unpleasant surprise. Georgia Public Service Commissioners have approved cost overruns of about $2 billion on Plant Vogtle’s nuclear reactor units 3 and 4. Those costs will be passed along to consumers. “Approval of the Vogtle settlement creates the largest rate impact for Georgia Power customers based on the least public review in PSC history,” said Sara Barczak of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in a press

Environment

Good news: Ga. closing toxic coal ash ponds

Georgia Power just announced plans to cease operations at all its toxic coal ash ponds over the next three years, in a little piece of positive news this week. Sierra Club of Georgia posted on their Facebook page: “Good news! Georgia Power is accelerating its closure of toxic coal ash ponds, a move welcomed by environmental groups who fear arsenic, lead and other heavy metals can leach into groundwater and poison homeowners’ wells.” In 2014,