Later today, the Environmental Protection Division will hold a public hearing on water use by a proposed coal plant in Washington county. The hearing was sparked by a judge's ruling.
The plant proposed by Power4Georgians would pump water from the Oconee River to be used in the Ogeechee river basin. Any unused water, about 11 percent, would be returned to the Oconee. EPD had issued the permit but a judge ruled the water use an inter basin transfer. And therefore it requires the now scheduled public hearing in Sandersville.
Erin Glynn with the Georgia Sierra Club opposes the plant.
"We're very worried about this water permit, because it's yet another example of moving water from one basin wto another to meet the needs of Metro Atlanta."
One investor in the coal plant is Cobb EMC of Marietta. The legality of inter basin transfers have been an ongoing issue in Georgia as the state tries to balance growth and water resources.

Tags: Environmental Protection Division, sierra club, Power4Georgians, Oconee River, GPB, Susanna Capelouto, Erin Glynn, Ogeechee River Basin, Washington Coal Plant, inter basin transfer