Georgia Power Confirms Coal Ash Ponds Fail to Meet Federal Siting Restrictions
Two Georgia Power plants, Wansley and Yates, sit along the banks of Chattahoochee River. (© Craig Tanner)
Atlanta, GA—At least 10 of Georgia Power’s toxic, unlined coal ash ponds sit dangerously close to the groundwater beneath them, according to the utility’s recent filings required under the federal Coal Combustion Residuals rule.
According to the utility’s disclosures for 10 of its 29 coal ash ponds statewide, all 10 ponds fail to comply with the location restriction that requires at least a five-foot buffer between the bottom of a coal ash pond and the underlying groundwater aquifer. In at least some cases, the coal ash ponds appear to be sitting in groundwater.
“Georgia Power’s coal ash ponds were built in the worst places possible – near streams, lakes, floodplains, next to rivers, and right above groundwater, and we now know that at least 10 of its ponds sit too close to the groundwater aquifer,” said SELC Senior Attorney Chris Bowers. “Where Georgia Power plans to just cap many of its unlined coal ash ponds in place, the utility’s own disclosures show the danger this ill-advised strategy poses to Georgia communities.”
Georgia Illegal alien driver’s license/ID reform is past due
by State Rep. Jeff Jones | Dec 6, 2018
For those who are not yet aware, Georgia issues driver’s licenses to non-citizens who, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), do not have legal immigration status.
To increase the “head-scratcher” quotient on this, there is no difference - none - between the driver/ID credentials issued to these lucky illegal aliens and those issued to legal immigrants (green card holders) or foreign students and guest workers who obeyed American law and are here on legal, temporary visas.
While it is illegal for non-citizens to vote in elections in Georgia, state law considers the driver’s licenses and ID Cards we are granting to them to be “proper ID” at our polls.
That’s why I will soon introduce driver’s license/ID reform legislation to change this bizarre situation.
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2019-2020 Legislative Agenda (Proposed)
Legislative Update Week 4-6, Feb 16, 2018
1st Legislative Update of 2018
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Legislative Update: February 17, 2017
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Week 2 of the 2017 General Assembly – Budget and Appropriations Hearings
January 16, 2017 - Legislative Update
Georgia General Assembly 2017 Session Underway
Legislative Update Week 10 - March 18, 2016
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Legislative Weeks 7 & 8 – Nine Legislative Days Remaining
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Georgia General Assembly 2016 Session Underway
Fall 2015 SE GA Legislative Newsletter
Legislative Update Week 11, March 27, 2015
Legislative Update Week 10, March 20, 2015 - House Considers Senate Bills after "Crossover"
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Legislative Update Week 8, March 6, 2015 - The $1 Billion Transportation Bill, a Tax Increase
Seventh Week of Session – Ending February 27, 2015: FY 2016 Budget
Legislative Update Week 6, February 20, 2015: Jobs & the Economy
Legislative Update Week 5, February 6, 2015: Key Legislation
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Legislative Update Week 3, January 30, 2015: 2015 and 2016 Budgets
Cumulative Legislative Update Week Ending Jan 23, 2015
153rd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly
Congratulations Norwich Baptist Church on 100-Years of Service
Pictured: 12.06 Rep. Jeff Jones presents Dr. Arthur L. Cyphers, Senior Pastor of Norwich Baptist Church, the Georgia House of Representatives proclamation in recognition of the church's 100-year anniversary of serving Brunswick and Glynn County communities.
"On behalf of greater Brunswick and Glynn County, Thank you Norwich Baptist Church and congratulations on one-hundred years of service to our community..." ~Rep. Jeff Jones
Jeff's Blog
Georgia Power Confirms Coal Ash Ponds Fail to Meet Federal Siting Restrictions
Posted by Jeffrey Sewell · January 05, 2019 8:24 AM
Congratulations Norwich Baptist Church on 100-Years of Service
Posted by Jeffrey Sewell · December 13, 2018 9:40 AM
On December 4th Vote Raffensperger!
Posted by Jeffrey Sewell · November 26, 2018 1:56 PM
2019-2020 Legislative Agenda (Proposed)
Photo Courtesy: NASA - NASA images show the polution impact Florence had on coast.
- Coal Ash Pond Dewatering; require public notice prior to dewatering; 2018’s bill – HB879 voted out of House 169-3; passed out of Senate NR&E committee; Senate never brought bill for vote.
- Coal Ash Solid Waste Landfill storage - minimum siting standards and prior public notice for new MSW coal ash storage; 2018’s bill – HB880; never granted a House NR&E sub or full committee vote
- Stop issuing GA “Drivers Licenses” to individuals without “lawful status” to be in US or GA; per DDS, 50,000 such licenses have been issued in GA; replace with “Driver Courtesy Card”; 2018’s bill – HB484; never granted a House hearing.
- Out of State Cash Wire Transfer Fees - collect a fee for out-of-state cash wire transfers targeting drug dealers, gamblers, human traffickers and others who hide cash; $100 million projected net revenue, with no cost to Georgia taxpayers; propose dedicating revenue to supplement local law enforcement pay; 2018’s bill – HB66; never granted a House committee hearing.
- Georgia’s Open Meeting Act - strengthen to clearly define that the “final” meeting agenda must be posted one full week prior to the meeting; establish clear provisions on adding “emergency items” to the agenda; 2018’s bill – HB1040.
- State Owned Property in McIntosh & Long Counties; significant loss of tax revenue; counties not being properly remunerated; working to increase DNR budget to replace lost revenue to counties or find other avenues to replace lost local property tax revenue.
- Teacher Out-of-Pocket School Supplies Tax Credit– change current tax deduction of $250 to a tax credit of $250; estimated impact of $25 million to Georgia budget; 2017’s bill – HB13
- GA Oyster Aquaculture Production - Promote growth of commercial oyster production; currently, commercially sold oysters must be wild grown & harvested; change code/regulations to allow farm grown oyster aquaculture and to allow out-of-state importation of Oyster Spat; DNR Commissioner Williams & Department of Ag Commissioner Gary Black are fully behind the initiative; legislation is currently being drafted.
Revised September 19, 2018 - Download PDF Copy
Press Release: Rep. Jeff Jones to Reintroduce Legislation to Protect State’s Water Supply
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, September 17, 2018
Contact: Betsy Theroux
(404) 656-3996
betsy.theroux@house.ga.gov
Rep. Jeff Jones to Reintroduce Legislation to Protect State’s Water Supply, Issues Statement on Collapse of Coal Ash Landfill
ATLANTA – State Representative Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick) today announced that he will reintroduce legislation in the 2019 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly that will focus on protecting the state’s water supplies from heavy metal toxicity that exists in coal ash.
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Kemp for Governor Bus Tour Visits SSI
Kemp for Georgia Bus Tour stops at Brogens in St. Simons Island Village to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters and undecideds. The tide is quickly turning in Secretary of State Kemp's favor with AJC/WSB poll now showing Brian Kemp up by 4% and climbing. The more the public learns of the distinct differences in the two gubernatorial candidates, the greater Kemp's lead becomes. Early vote now and through July 20 or on July 24th, election day.
Pictured: David O'Quinn, D2 School Board Candidate; Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump; Marty Kemp, Brian's wife; Rep Jeff Jones D167, Rep Don Hogan D179; Dale Provenzano, Glynn County Kemp for Governor Chairman