Emily Bosch emily.bosch@sierraclub.org
ATLANTA, GA-- Today, the Sierra Club filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Georgia Court of Appeals, challenging its decision to allow Georgia Power to collect 100% of its coal ash remediation costs from customers without considering Georgia Power’s culpability in mishandling the coal ash.
During the 2019 Georgia Power Rate Case, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Georgia Power’s request to collect $525 million from ratepayers for coal ash pond closure costs. Total coal ash cleanup costs are estimated to be upwards of $8.96 billion, already a significant increase from Georgia Power’s $7.6 billion estimate during the 2019 rate case.
David Rogers, Southeast Deputy Regional Director for the Beyond Coal Campaign, released the following statement:
“We hope the Court of Appeals will reconsider its decision to allow Georgia Power to force customers to pay to clean up the company’s mess. Georgia Power knew for years that its coal ash pits were leaking into our groundwater and waterways, but they never changed their behavior. This case has the potential to set a precedent that Georgia Power doesn’t have to pay for its own bad decisions because the Public Service Commission will bail them out. We must take a stand against Georgia Power’s negligent handling of coal ash.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.