An energy source often regarded as renewable and abundant in Georgia is facing opposition from environmental groups, reported Capital Beat.
As per media report, Georgia Power, based in Atlanta, is seeking approval from the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to construct three plants in South Georgia that would produce approximately 80 megawatts of electricity by burning wood pellets and other types of biomass.
Of this power, 70 megawatts would be generated through a 30-year power-purchasing agreement (PPA) with Altamaha Green Energy LLC, which operates a mill in Wayne County. The remaining power would come from two 10-year PPAs with International Paper Co., which will supply biomass from mills in Port Wentworth and Macon County.
Georgia Power advocates the proposal as a means to create jobs in rural areas and provide an additional market for Georgia timber, which would benefit a forestry industry facing an oversupply of trees, the media report further stated.
This perspective resonates with PSC members, who have historically supported Georgia Power’s efforts to maintain a diverse mix of energy sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and solar.
“Biomass is produced in Georgia. The trees are grown in Georgia and transported by local trucks,” Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald said during a hearing on the plan. “I see that as part of the total picture.”
However, environmental groups argue that burning biomass releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
“Burning wood pellets emits more greenhouse gases per unit of energy than burning fossil fuels like gas, oil, or coal, thereby accelerating climate change,” states the North Carolina-based organization Dogwood Alliance on its website. “We should focus on low-carbon technologies such as solar and wind for energy production, rather than wood pellets or fossil fuels.”
As per media report, however, the focus of Thursday’s hearing was primarily on the cost of the three biomass projects rather than on pollution concerns.
“Customers will be paying more than three times the value of the energy they will receive,” stated Aradhana Chandra, a lawyer with the Atlanta-based Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents the environmental group Georgia Interfaith Power and Light in the case.
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