Sidewalk snaps up behind coal in Georgia: Snapping Shoals EMC drops Power4Georgians

Only a few months ago, Cobb EMC pulled out of Power4Georgians and their coal plant plans; now Snapping Shoals EMC does the same. The sidewalk is indeed snapping up behind coal in Georgia. As once again customers of an EMC decide to run for its board. Southern Company and Georgia Power, are you listening? Not just about coal; also about those new nukes.

The insurgent candidates have a facebook page, Smart Energy for Snapping Shoals.

PR yesterday from Georgians for Smart Energy, Snapping Shoals EMC Backs Away From Risky Coal Plant Venture

For Immediate Release: July 13, 2012

For More Information Contact: Cheryl Mathis-Moore, 404-438-1390

Snapping Shoals EMC Backs Away From Risky Coal Plant Venture Conyers, GA— Today the Rockdale Citizen released a story covering the dissolution of the partnership between Snapping Shoals EMC and a coal plant developer. Snapping Shoals EMC has spent over $11 million on developing the plant to date and had continued to financially support the project even after larger utilities, like Cobb EMC had pulled out of the plan.

The announcement comes shortly after the announcement from three Snapping Shoals Customers announced their candidacy for Snapping Shoals EMC's Board of Directors. The Candidates were inspired to run, in part, by the risky coal plant investment. Below is a comment form candidate Cheryl Mathis-Moore in response to the news:

"As a customer of Snapping Shoals EMC I am relieved to know we will no longer be expected to pay-up for the development of a risky coal plant. But I'm also confused—-it seems like we've paid $11 million for a plant that has not even been built and doesn't seem to have any further financing lined up.

So many questions still surround this coal plant—If the plant is never built will we get our money back? How was this determined to be the cheapest option for power? Why did Snapping Shoals EMC continue to pay the developer even after Cobb EMC pulled out?

The promise of low rates from a plant owner that will, based on the most recent estimates, be in debt for at least $3.9 billion seems unrealistic. Ihope the board will make no guarantees to buy this power until they have publicly explored other options and can prove that this is the cheapest power available.

We need board members who will ask tough questions, communicate with customers about important and expensive decisions and push for a forward looking energy future. I'm glad Snapping Shoals is distancing itself from Plant Washington and if elected I would work to get to the bottom of these questions and make sure no more expensive investments get made without thorough and public vetting."

According to Crystal Tatum in the Newton Citizen 10 July 2012, Trio opposed to coal plant runs for Snapping Shoals board,

Three candidates have launched campaigns for posts on the Snapping Shoals EMC Board of Directors, demanding that the board be more transparent about its decision to back a coal-burning power plant in Washington County.

#Ab Roesel of Rockdale County, Cheryl Mathis of DeKalb County and Kaye Shipley of Henry County are concerned Snapping Shoals customers who say they've asked plenty of questions about why the non-profit, member-owned cooperative is continuing its support of Plant Washington, a proposed $2 billion power plant, after other backers have pulled out.

-jsq