PSC sets hearings on Georgia Power plan for more generating capacity

ATLANTA — Georgia energy regulators voted unanimously Tuesday to hold hearings this fall on a Georgia Power request to certify 9,900 megawatts of new power generating capacity environmentalists say would rely heavily on harmful fossil fuels.

The plan calls for adding about 8,000 megawatts of capacity by building new gas-burning turbines at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen near Cartersville, Plant Wansley near Carrollton, and Plant McIntosh near Rincon. The utility's "all source" request for proposals also would include purchasing gas produced at existing plants, construction of new battery energy storage systems (BESS), and company-owned BESS paired with solar power.

Another 1,866 megawatts of new generating capacity would come by buying gas from existing plants as well as new BESS project an