Sierra Club Georgia Chapter

A group of people at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

A group of people at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

Two people hugging at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

A person with a microphone addresses a group of people at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Kickoff Event last week! We have big goals for this year, and we need folks like you to make them happen! Check out the link below for ways to take action and plug into our work.

linktr.ee/gasierraclub

Georgia PSC Refuses to Reconsider Data Center Energy Plan ATLANTA - Despite clear opposition from Georgians, the Georgia Public Service Commission has refused to reconsider Georgia Power’s plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the nation to serve da...

Read more: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...

Together with our partners @selc.bsky.social, @georgiaipl.bsky.social, Southface Institute, and @cleanenergy.org, we filed a motion asking the PSC to reconsider its approval of this plan, but it appears three members of the PSC haven't received the message.

Georgia PSC Refuses to Reconsider Data Center Energy Plan We asked the Public Service Commission to reconsider Georgia Power’s massive expansion plan, estimated to cost as much as $60 billion. On Wednesday, the PSC voted 3-2 to reject our request. Georgians will end up paying for this poorly conceived plan for decades to come.

"Commissioners Johnson and Hubbard voted as representatives of the people to reconsider this RFP. It's crystal clear that Georgians are fed up with Georgia Power’s unchecked power to build whatever is necessary to line its pockets at the expense of the rest of the state. But the rest of the commission is committed to supporting state sanctioned corporate welfare, refusing to hold Georgia Power accountable and protect Georgia ratepayers." Adrien Webber, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Today, despite clear opposition from Georgians, the Georgia Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to allow Georgia Power to move forward with its massive expansion plan to provide power to data centers.

Black and brown communities will bear the true cost of SSE4! 😠 This proposed methane pipeline expansion cuts through neighborhoods already overburdened by pollution—bringing more climate-warming fossil fuels & health risks.

Say NO: gipl.org/no-sse4

Map: @Science for Georgia

#FaithInAction

Help protect the Cumberland Island National Seashore!

Help Protect Cumberland Island! The National Park Service wants to more than double visitors and increase development of our beloved wild island.

Take action now to protect Cumberland Island from a bad management plan!

Send a message to the NPS: act.sierraclub.org/actions/Nati...

Help pass SB 34 and prevent skyrocketing power bills!

Use the link below to send a message to your state senator and ask them to vote in favor of SB 34!

act.sierraclub.org/actions/Geor...

SB 34 would ensure that electricity costs caused by data centers, like expansions to power plants and new transmission lines, are paid by the data centers themselves — not by other Georgia Power bill payers and constituents like you!

Help pass SB 34 and prevent skyrocketing power bills!

SB 34 faces a critical vote TODAY at 4 PM! This is a priority bill for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter this year, so it's critical that you take action today!

act.sierraclub.org/actions/Geor...

Major changes proposed to Cumberland Island National Seashore! NPS' 2026 Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP). Join us to discuss what's been proposed, why it matters, & what you can do! Register in advance. More info: wildcumberland.org. Virtual Town Hall, Jan. 21 @ 7 PM EST.

Want to find out the latest on the proposed changes to Cumberland Island's visitor management plan? Check out Wild_Cumberland's virtual town hall tomorrow evening at 7 PM. RSVP at this link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Want to stay in the loop? Sign up at the link in our bio to receive regular newsletters during the 2026 Legislative Session! Get updates on what’s happening under the Gold Dome, learn about upcoming virtual and in-person events, stay informed on ways to take action!

Make sure you're signed up for email updates using the link in our bio!

The 2026 legislative session is here! Swipe to learn more about our priorities this year, from data centers to the Okefenokee!

Data Centers: Data centers are responsible for roughly 90% of new electricity demand in Georgia. To meet the demand, Georgia Power wants to build new methane plants and run old coal plants in Georgia and Mississippi. We support these four bills to increase transparency and make sure Georgians aren’t footing the bill for data centers: SB 34 requires data centers pay for upgrades and expansions of our power grid they are causing. HB 528 requires data centers disclose water/power use, tax breaks they’ve received, and more. HB 559 ends a state tax break for data centers five years earlier than currently scheduled. SB 94 would bring back a Consumer Utility Counsel to represent the public at the PSC.

Protect our water: HB 561, known as the Okefenokee Protection Act, would provide permanent protection for Trail Ridge, the eastern rim of the Okefenokee Swamp. Experts say protecting Trail Ridge is critical to the health of the swamp and surrounding wetlands. HB 812 is an attempt by developers to get rid of rules that protect local water sources from construction runoff, claiming it would make it easier to build new housing. We’ll be working to stop this bill. HB 611 would require industrial operations to disclose their use of PFAS, also known as microplastics or “forever chemicals.” This would make it easier for local governments to operate their water treatment facilities properly.

Get our veterans outside: 44% of Veterans in metro-Atlanta DO NOT have access to the nature in their communities! SB 190 is a bipartisan measure waive certain fees at state parks and other outdoor spaces for active duty members of military, veterans, and Gold Star family members. This legislation moves Georgia into alignment with the federal government, and other states in the southeast, that waive access fees for veterans & reduce costs of amenities. The bill comes after state officials voted to increase fees at state parks in late 2025.

The Georgia Legislature's 2026 session is underway! We'll be working on a variety of issues under the Gold Dome this year, check out some of our top priorities by swiping through.

A second look. We’re demanding the PSC reconsider Georgia Power’s massive expansion plan. PSC’s own staff estimates customer bills could go up about $20 per month and customers would pay $50-60 billion over the next 50 years.

The Sierra Club, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) filed a motion to reconsider Georgia Power’s “Requests for Proposals,” or RFP, which the PSC approved on Dec. 19. Georgia Power’s plan could lock Georgia ratepayers into higher utility bills for decades while expanding methane gas plants that will pollute Georgia communities until 2075. Despite clear evidence that Georgia Power does not need to procure 10 gigawatts of resources by 2031 —including the unnecessary, overly expensive 757-megawatt Plant McIntosh gas plant— the Commission approved the company’s plan anyway. The Sierra Club, SELC and SACE’s motion asks the Commission to reconsider its decision in light of the record.

“This approval by the PSC gives Georgia Power the largest and most expensive grid expansion in the country. This is state-sanctioned corporate welfare approved by two lame duck commissioners with one foot out the door, and it’s exactly the business-as-usual approach that voters overwhelmingly rejected at the ballot box in November. The RFP should be reconsidered now that Commissioners Johnson and Hubbard have been seated.” Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club, @cleanenergy.org, and @selc.bsky.social have filed a motion asking the Georgia Public Service Commission reconsider its vote on Georgia Power's massive spending plan to power data centers. Read more at this link: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...

Georgia Chapter Legislative Chair Mark Woodall and environmental lobbyist Neill Herring will give us a rundown on the big issues we'll be working on at the Capitol. RSVP at the link below to receive the Zoom link via email. See you Thursday!

act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...

2026 Legislative Preview. Hear from Georgia Chapter Legislative Chair Mark Woodall and environmental lobbyist Neill Herring to get a rundown of our priorities at the Legislature this year. Thursday, January 8th, 6-7 PM, Virtual over Zoom

We are one week away from the start of the Georgia Legislature's 2026 session! To get ready for the 40 day marathon, join us on Thursday evening for a preview of the legislative session! The event is being held online via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere!

Georgia Chapter Legislative Chair Mark Woodall and environmental lobbyist Neill Herring will give us a rundown on the big issues we'll be working on at the Capitol. RSVP at the link below to receive the Zoom link via email. See you Thursday!

act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...

A collage of photos featuring Sierra Club Georgia Chapter staff, supporters, and volunteers at events, outings, and educational seminars. Text at the bottom reads "Happy Holidays from the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter."

Happy Holidays from all of us here at the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter!

Last-minute surprise agreement with Georgia Power is met with outrage at regulatory hearing • Georgia Recorder In exchange for at least $16 billion of energy buildout, largely for data center growth, Georgia Power promised to lower power bills by about $100 a year.

The PSC is scheduled to vote on the proposed settlement on Dec. 19. Read more: georgiarecorder.com/2025/12/10/p...

The proposed settlement comes just weeks after PSC staff warned that Georgia Power's spending plan would put customers at "unreasonable risk" and advised only approving a third of what the utility was asking for.

A bad deal for Georgia. State officials on the verge of approving Georgia Power’s $15 billion spending plan. The Georgia PSC is rushing to certify a plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the country to supply electricity to power-hungry data centers.

An hour before hearing testimony from the public and advocacy groups on Wednesday, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) released a settlement with Georgia Power over the utility’s plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the country, leaving Georgians to foot the bill. The utility’s proposal is expected have a price tag of at least $15 billion in capital costs, though the total costs have yet to be publicly disclosed. The proposed settlement would dramatically increase Georgian’s energy bills for years to come for data centers that might not even be built.

“Georgia Power’s agreement is still based on the idea that data center projects are coming, which is not guaranteed. The PSC’s own staff saw Georgia Power’s plan as overbuilding for projects that may or may not appear, threatening to leave the cost for ratepayers to pick up. It’s infuriating that Georgia Power and the PSC refuse to even take public comment or insight from advocates into consideration before coming to this agreement. Filing this agreement just an hour before the second round of hearings shows that the PSC refuses to be held accountable to the people of Georgia.” Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Georgia Power is on the verge of getting its massive $15 billion+ spending plan approved. On Wednesday, Georgia PSC staff announced it had reached a settlement with Georgia Power to approve spending billions to add 10 gigawatts of electricity to power data centers.

Analysts warn Georgia Power bills will rise if PSC approves data center buildout Analysts are warning Georgia Power's residential customers could see monthly bills jump $20 or more if state regulators approve the company's planned data center expansion.

Even the Public Service Commission's staff say Georgia Power's plan for a massive electric infrastructure expansion is a bad idea.

The PSC should not allow two lame-duck commissioners to approve this plan and instead delay the hearings and vote so that Commissioners-Elect Johnson and Hubbard to consider and vote on this plan.

www.sierraclub.org/georgia/blog...

After Democrats’ wins, groups ask PSC to delay key Georgia Power vote Environmental groups have asked the PSC to delay a vote on whether to allow Georgia Power to undertake a historic expansion until after newly elected Democrats are seated.

We're asking the Public Service Commission to respect the will of the voters & delay approving this massive spending plan that will saddle Georgians with more fossil fuel infrastructure for a generation.

www.ajc.com/business/202...

Congratulations to our new Commissioners! Preliminary results show Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard have won their elections for two seats on the Public Service Commission. The commission is a crucial component of much of the Sierra Club’s work, including retiring fossil fuels, transitioning to clean energy, and ensuring Georgians pay affordable electric bills.

"Congratulations to Commissioners-Elect Johnson and Hubbard on their historic election to Georgia's Public Service Commission. This is a monumental victory for Georgia ratepayers, families, and small businesses who deserve affordable, clean energy to power their lives. This election shows that Georgia voters are paying attention and understand that business as usual down at the Public Service Commission cannot continue. This election is also a clarion call to our elected officials to advocate for everyday people, not multi-billion dollar companies. We look forward to working with Commissioners-Elect Johnson and Hubbard as we continue to advocate for Georgians at the PSC." Adrien Webber (he/him) Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Congrats to Commissioners-Elect Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard! We are so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this election result happen. We look forward to working with our new commissioners next year!

Today is election Day! Here’s what you need to know.

Election Day info: Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. If you’re in line at 7 PM, you are still allowed to vote. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID (Driver’s licenses, passports, U.S. military IDs, or tribal IDs). Find your election day polling place at mvp.sos.ga.gov (linked in our bio). If you experience problems voting, call the Georgia Voter Protection Line at 1-888-730-5816 to report the issue and get help.

Get out and vote today, Georgia! Polls are open until 7 PM. Find your Election Day polling place here: mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

Data centers give a jolt to Georgia Power parent company’s profits Atlanta-based Southern Co., the parent of Georgia Power, saw profits climb 11.5% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

👀 "Atlanta-based Southern Co., the parent of Georgia Power, saw profits climb 11.5% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year"

www.ajc.com/business/202...

Earlier this week, Sherman attended the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board meeting to discuss the proposed fee increase and how it will impact Georgia's veteran and active duty military communities.

Georgia Board of Natural Resources Proposes 100% Increase in Parking Fees at State Parks, Including for Veterans Daily parking fee would double under proposed changes

Today we're expressing gratitude to Sherman Neal of the Sierra Club Military Outdoors program for speaking out for veterans. Read a statement from Sherman about Georgia increasing fees to visit Georgia State Parks: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...

Make your voice heard! Find your early voting and election day polling places at iwillvote.com. Early voting is underway and runs through Friday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4.

And make sure to vote! Early voting is open through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 4. Find your polling place at iwillvote.com

What is the Georgia PSC? And why is it so important? This little-known government body impacts your life more than you might think.

The Georgia Public Service Commission, or PSC, is an important government body that regulates utilities in Georgia. When Georgia Power wants to raise electricity rates to pay for construction of new fossil fuel plants, the PSC has to approve it. When Georgia Power decides to generate more electricity using coal or methane gas instead of clean energy sources, the PSC votes on whether to approve the plan. In short, the PSC decides how much you pay for electricity and where that electricity comes from.

Recent votes taken by the Georgia PSC: Six rate increases in the last three years; Approved high profit margins for GA Power ($2.5 billion in 2024); Ratified energy plan that would make GA Power one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S.

Here’s the good news: The Public Service Commission is an elected body. Voters decide whether to keep them in office or elect someone new. Two members of the PSC are up for election this year! Members of the PSC are elected statewide, so every Georgia voter gets to vote in both PSC races.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a little-known government body with an outsized impact on your life. Two members of the PSC are on the ballot this year, so read through this post to learn more about them.