Georgia Power Delays Coal Plant Retirement in New Plan

Georgia Power has filed a new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to address rising electricity demands from industrial growth, particularly data centers. This plan includes delaying the retirement of coal-fired plants Bowen and Scherer until 2035, instead of the previously planned 2028, and increasing investments in renewable energy and infrastructure. Environmental advocates have criticized the plan, arguing that the demand estimates are inflated and environmentally harmful. In response to the growing energy demands, Georgia regulators have implemented new billing rules to ensure that large energy users, such as data centers, contribute fairly to infrastructure costs. These rules include minimum billing for high energy users to protect residential and small business ratepayers from bearing excessive costs. The Georgia Public Service Commission aims to balance the state's economic growth with the energy needs of existing customers.