Advisory: GA’s Coal Retirement Potential
Atlanta, Ga. – NEWS ADVISORY – During a telephone press briefing on November 13 the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) will share the findings of an economic analysis that shows Georgia tops the list of states with the most coal-fired energy generating capacity that should be considered for closure.
The report found the generators likely will be more expensive to operate after installing modern pollution control equipment than switching to cleaner energy alternatives, such as natural gas, renewable energy or energy efficiency. Most coal-fired power plants contain more than one generating unit. The UCS analysis identified 22 outmoded units at seven plants: Crisp, Mitchell, Kraft, Harllee Branch, Bowen, Hammond, and Yates; all but one of which are owned by Georgia Power.
The possible retirement and replacement of these uncompetitive generators presents a historic opportunity for Georgia to accelerate a transition to a clean energy economy that will protect public health, cut carbon dioxide emissions and diversify the power mix.
WHO:
Amelia Shenstone, southeast energy organizer at SACE
Steve Frenkel, reporter co-author and director of UCS’s Midwest office
Jeff Deyette, report co-author and senior analyst at UCS
Ulla Reeves, regional program director at SACE
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 11 a.m.
WHERE:
Call (866) 814-8449. The password for the call: “Ripe for Retirement in Georgia.” # # # The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org.
Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that create global warming solutions and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org