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From 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Ridge Road Elementary School in Sandersville, GA, Georgians for Smart Energy (GSE), will provide an information session and press briefing on critical Plant Washington issues. GSE is a major coalition of energy, citizens and environmental organizations from across Georgia, including residents of Sandersville. Members of the media and citizens who want to learn more about the many serious issues regarding the proposed Plant Washington coal plant are urged to attend this 5 p.m. pre-event. Concerned citizens from the area and experts will provide a wealth of information during this hour.

Following this session, at 6 p.m., the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will conduct a public hearing on Plant Washington. This coal-fired power plant, proposed by Power4Georgians, LLC, would be located near Sandersville in Middle Georgia.

The subject of the hearing: the amount of hazardous pollution that will be allowed to be released from Plant Washington. For example, when in operation, the 850-megawatt coal-fired plant would deposit 105 pounds of mercury every year into Georgia’s air and waters. Area rivers are already so burdened by mercury that more of this dangerous neurotoxin will make fish consumption a health risk. In addition, Plant Washington will consume as much as 16 million gallons of water per day from the Oconee River or from 15 wells.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on the amount of pollution that our air and water can withstand. The EPD is required to conduct a public hearing so that citizens can speak about the impact of the coal plant on air quality, health and other effects.