ATLANTA, Jan. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today
announced it is requesting proposals for the beneficial reuse of
coal ash stored at active and retired coal-fired power plants
across the state. While Georgia Power already recycles more than 75
percent of the dry coal ash it produces from current operations,
the company is seeking to identify opportunities for the beneficial
reuse of stored coal ash.
"The request for proposals will allow Georgia Power the
potential to expand our efforts in the recycling of coal ash, while
continuing to permanently and safely close all of our ash ponds
around the state," said Dr. Mark Berry, vice president of
Environmental & Natural Resources for Georgia Power. "Today,
most of the coal ash Georgia Power produces is recycled for various
beneficial uses, such as Portland cement, concrete and cinder
blocks, and we are committed to seeking new beneficial reuse
opportunities for the coal ash stored at our active and retired
plants across the state."
Coal ash has been demonstrated to provide significant value to
certain products, such as concrete, in which it adds strength and
durability. Opportunities for beneficial reuse of stored coal ash
could help produce millions of tons of Portland Cement, concrete
and other products, which would also reduce the need for raw
materials otherwise used in production.
Interested bidders should submit their information and get their
pre-qualification questionnaire from Georgia Power's Beneficial
Reuse Request for Proposals (RFP) coordinator Gary Lee by email at
gwlee@southernco.com no later than January 24, 2020. A mandatory informational
pre-bid meeting for qualified bidders will be held early this year
in Atlanta. This meeting will
provide Georgia Power and the bidders with an opportunity to
discuss the RFP requirements, including an overview of the plant
sites, as well as Georgia Power's expectations for bids.
Georgia Power first announced its plans to permanently close all
of its ash ponds in September 2015,
with initial plans released in June
2016. Georgia Power's ash pond closure plans fully comply
with the federal Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) rule, as well as
the more stringent requirements of Georgia's state CCR rule. Georgia was one of the first states in the
country to develop its own rule regulating management and storage
of CCR such as coal ash. The state rule, which goes further than
the federal rule, regulates all ash ponds and landfills in the
state and includes a comprehensive permitting program through which
the Georgia Environmental Protection Division will approve all
actions to ensure ash pond closures are protective of water
quality.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural
gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.
Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its
customers every day and the Company is consistently recognized by
J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer
satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the Company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and
Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in
this release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the planned closure of coal ash ponds.
Georgia Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is
cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking
information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is
subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of
which are outside the control of Georgia Power Company;
accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results
will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those
discussed in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and
subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ
materially from management expectations as suggested by such
forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future
federal and state regulatory changes, including tax and
environmental laws and regulations and other laws and regulations
to which Georgia Power Company is subject, as well as changes in
application of existing laws and regulations; the extent and timing
of costs and legal requirements related to CCR; current and future
litigation or regulatory investigations, proceedings, or inquiries;
the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns
during the development, construction and operation of facilities;
state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and
future rate cases and negotiations; catastrophic events and the
effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by
standard-setting bodies. Georgia Power Company expressly
disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power