Oppose Georgia Power's Massive Expansion
Georgia Power is quietly planning a massive expansion of fossil-fuel-powered generation in Georgia, and they are doing it to satisfy the exploding demand from data centers.
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Their strategy is clear: hold a vote before Dr. Alicia Johnson or Peter Hubbard can take their seats on the Public Service Commission in January. Georgia Power wants to lock in this expansion plan before the new commissioners can have a voice. A delayed vote would mean the possibility of having Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald vote with Hubbard and Johnson to deny the expansion. There was a meeting on November 18 during the Public Service Commission’s administrative session where the expansion vote was set for December 19. If you oppose this plan, we must show up; we must be in the room!
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At the very least, we need to sound the alarm. The public must know what is happening behind the scenes. The November 4th election was a breakthrough, but it is only the beginning. We need people involved every single day if we are going to change the direction of this state. Electing Hubbard and Johnson was one step in a long fight to lower our bills, improve our health, and protect the planet we depend on. Data centers, increased utilities bills (water & electric) and fears of drought turned out the voters for Johnson and Hubbard on November 4th.
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Here is what Georgia Power is planning:
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Plant Yates: Three new methane-gas turbines in Coweta County, locking us into another 40 years of fossil-fuel dependence. (CD3)
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Plant Bowen: Continued operation of a major coal-burning plant near Cartersville.
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Plant Scherer: Ongoing operation of one of the country’s biggest coal-fired plants near Macon.
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Plant McIntosh: Expansion of natural-gas capacity near Savannah.
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Plant McDonough: Continued operation through 2057 of a massive natural-gas combined-cycle plant in Smyrna, with nearly 2,800 MW of baseload capacity.
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All of this is wrapped into Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan, approved by the Public Service Commission, which leans heavily on more gas-burning plants and the continued use of coal and gas instead of embracing clean, affordable, renewable energy.
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Want to contact the Georgia Public Service Commission?
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The five members of the Georgia Public Service Commission are publicly elected officials. That means anyone can attend their meetings, offer public comments, and give feedback on energy affordability, justice, and policy in the state.
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Follow and reach out to the PSC
All commission hearings and meetings are open to the public and anyone can attend. You can find a calendar of meetings here. It meets at 244 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334-9052
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Contact information:
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Toll-free in Georgia (outside Metro Atlanta): 800-282-5813
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Metro Atlanta: 404-656-4501
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Fax: 404-656-2341
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Email: gapsc@psc.ga.gov
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Commission hearings and meetings also are livestreamed on the PSC YouTube channel though viewers cannot ask questions or pose comments online. You can also follow the PSC on social media.
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Before reaching out to or engaging with the commission, familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of the commissioners, and initiatives the agency is working on so you can frame your request or response appropriately.
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Send a complaint, inquiry, or opinion
Public comments are heard during the first hour of hearings and the last 15 minutes of committee meetings. Sign-up sheets are provided and speakers are called on a first-come, first-served basis.
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You can learn more about filing a complaint, inquiry, or opinion to the PSC here. Comments must conform to certain guidelines, including a limit of three minutes at the lectern. Submit written comments here.
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People who regularly address the PSC say don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive a response right away. Follow up respectfully as time allows, and if you still aren’t satisfied reach out to commissioners through other means, such as calling their offices.
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Get involved through community organizations
If you aren’t interested in or comfortable with testifying before the commission, several organizations regularly engage with the PSC and Georgia Power, which is the state’s largest electric utility and regulated by the commission. A list of these organizations is in the comment/resources. They include Georgia Conservation Voters, Black Voters Matter, Georgia WAND, and Georgia Watch, all of which offer volunteer opportunities for residents to participate in advocacy.
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We cannot allow this to move forward in silence. Now is the time to raise our voices, to show up, and to make sure the people of Georgia know exactly what is at stake.
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RESOURCES:
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Georgia Watch: Want to contact the Georgia Public Service Commission?
Sierra Club, SACE ask for one-month delay on Georgia Power’s massive spending package
AJC: PSC won't delay GA Power vote
AJC: 15July 2025 PSC locks GA into fossil fuels
PowerMag: 17 July 2025, PSC approves capacity extensions
PowerMag: 5 Feb 2025, GA Power to keep coal plants running
Georgia Recorder: 16 April 2024, PSC approves GA Power plan to use fossil fuels for data centers​​
