Category Archives: environment

Two Bills Would Protect Georgia’s Bodies of Water

water bills

(APN) ATLANTA — Members of the Georgia Water Coalition from around the State of Georgia lobbied on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the State Capitol for priority conservation bills,  HB 966 and SB 36.   The Georgia Water Coalition is a group of more than 180 organizations representing over a quarter million Georgians.   HB 966 – Provides a 25 […]

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Georgia Power’s Latest Twenty Year Plan remains Slow on Renewables

psc 2

(APN) ATLANTA — Georgia Power’s 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), released on Friday, January 29, 2016, continues to keep renewables on a slow track.   The company files an IRP every three years to outline how it can best meet Georgia’s changing energy needs for the next twenty years.   Georgia Power talks about the benefits of renewables, but the […]

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Battle Rages on Over Proposed Palmetto Pipeline through Georgia, South Carolina, Florida

palmetto pipeline

(APN) ATLANTA — The legal fight rages on between Texas-based Kinder Morgan, and environmental groups and property owners in Georgia and South Carolina, over the company’s proposed one billion dollar Palmetto Pipeline.   The controversial 360 mile Palmetto Pipeline would run off the existing Plantation Pipeline at Belton, South Carolina, then run through North Augusta and snake its way down […]

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U.S. Energy Department Praises Local Arby’s for Energy Reduction

arbys

(APN) ATLANTA — On Thursday, October 29, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy came to Atlanta to highlight energy efficiency, including a stop by the world’s most energy efficient Arby’s, at 1751 Howell Mill Road.   The company has cut energy use by 38 percent at its Howell Mill restaurant in Atlanta, a significant achievement, the Department says.   The […]

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City of Atlanta Preparing to Embrace Solar Panels

stephanie and natalyn

(APN) ATLANTA — After years of inaction because solar panels were deemed unfeasible, the City of Atlanta appears on the verge of possibly implementing a new solar power plan.   Former State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta), director of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability, told Atlanta Progressive News that she’s working with various departments to finalize a plan to install solar […]

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Activists Rally in Atlanta to Celebrate EPA’s Clean Power Plan

epa rally

(APN) ATLANTA — On Wednesday, August 05, 2015, over two hundred people gathered at Liberty Plaza, across from the Georgia State Capitol, to celebrate and support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final Clean Power Plan (CPP).   The group was diverse with representatives from the faith community, business community, environmental organizations, elected officials, as well as just plain folks.   […]

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Georgia, U.S. Leaders, Advocates Praise EPA Clean Power Plan

EPA clean power plan

(APN) ATLANTA — Yesterday, Monday, August 03, 2015, President Barack Obama and the  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final Clean Power Plan, or rule that is intended to turn the tide on climate change.   It will cut U.S. carbon pollution from the power sector by 870 million tons, or 32 percent below 2005 levels, in 2030.   […]

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New Utility Solar Projects Signal Strong Growth for Solar in Georgia

georgia power

(APN) ATLANTA — Georgia Power plans to build, own, and operate three separate 30 megawatts (MW) of solar generated energy at three U.S. Army bases, to create a total of 90 MW of renewable solar energy.   The new solar facilities are at Fort Benning near Columbus, Fort Stewart near Savannah, and Fort Gordon near Augusta.   Georgia is one […]

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Atlanta Announces Policy to Report Buildings’ Energy Consumption

energy star

(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta’s large commercial buildings will be required to report their water and energy use under a newly adopted City ordinance that aims to reduce commercial energy consumption and cut carbon emissions.   Mayor Kasim Reed announced the new policy on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.   “We are building on our success with the Better Buildings Challenge to […]

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Savannah River Pilgrimage Highlights Corporate Pollution (UPDATE 1)

savannah river

(APN) TYBEE ISLAND, Georgia — The “Source to Sea” Savannah River Pilgrimage started on March 08, 2015, at Whiteside Mountain, North Carolina, and ended April 11, 2015, 439 miles later on the bank of Tybee Island.   The purpose of the pilgrimage was to raise awareness of environmental damage to the ecosystem from pollutants that flow into the river from […]

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APN Legislative Wrap-Up: Georgia General Assembly 2015

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With additional reporting by Anna Simonton and Matthew Charles Cardinale.  Photograph by Steve Eberhardt.   (APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up the 2015 legislative session on Thursday, April 02, 2015.  There were a few progressive highlights in the majority-Republican Legislature, including a solar power lease agreement bill; a limited medical cannabis bill; and more flexibility for MARTA […]

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Georgia Cities Maintain Right to Ban Plastic Bags, Despite Legislative Efforts

plastic bags

(APN) ATLANTA — The plastic bag lobby was active in Georgia this Legislative Session, but despite its influence, a bill to prohibit municipalities from banning plastic bags ultimately failed.   Underlying the legislative push was a proposed ordinance to ban plastic bags in Tybee Island, Georgia.   Supporters of the ban say that plastic bags are increasingly being ingested by […]

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Georgia Legislature Approves Solar Power Financing Bill

mike dudgeon

(APN) ATLANTA — The Solar Power Free Market Financing Act of 2015, HB 57, was passed by the House by a vote of 165 yeas and 0 nay on February 09, 2015.  It passed the Senate by a vote of 51 yeas and 0 nays on March 27, 2015.  It now waits Gov. Nathan Deal’s signature.   The bill was […]

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Georgia Would Disband Soil and Water Conservation Agency, per Gov. Deal’s Budget

GWSCC

(APN) ATLANTA — Governor Nathan Deal wants to disband an environmental agency that is almost 80 years old and includes a statewide network of 370 volunteer conservationists.   The Governor’s budget report for FY 2016 recommends transferring all funding and operations from the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), to two other state agencies, in order to “consolidate soil […]

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Plant Vogtle to be Delayed by 18 More Months, as Taxpayers Pay the Bills

vogtle construction

(APN) ATLANTA — In the latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday, January 29, 2015, Westinghouse Electric and the other contractors building Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle revealed that they will be delayed another eighteen months, pushing back reactor starts for Vogtle Unit 3 to 2019 and for Unit 4 to 2020.   […]

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