Energy Sources and Environmental Balance

Balancing Act
To balance energy supply with customer demand, Georgia Power considers a wide range of energy resources. We maintain a 20-year energy resource plan which must be updated and approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission every three years. Each resource has benefits and limitations:

Coal and nuclear plants cost more to build, but produce reliable, lower-cost electricity year-round.
Natural gas-fueled plants cost less to build, but natural gas prices have been highly volatile over the past several years.
Renewable sources like solar, wind, biomass and hydro offer lower or zero emissions, but have significant limits as well.
Our plans even count energy efficiency as a resource because less wasted energy reduces the need for new power plants.

		Energy Efficiency Use energy wisely and help lower the need to add generation sources.
		Environmental Balance Learn more about air quality, waste management, water management and stewardship.
		Natural Gas Learn more about the natural gas that will power Plant McDonough.

		Nuclear Nuclear power can lead the way to meet growing demand for electricity.
		Renewables An introduction to biomass, Green Energy and solar programs.
		Technologies: Coal and Gas Innovations We're developing affordable, reliable and cleaner ways to make electricity from coal.

"More than 80 years ago, our first president coined a motto – A Citizen Wherever We Serve – that our employees continue to live by today. In communities all across the state, our employees go to work every day dedicated to providing affordable, reliable electricity and being good stewards of our natural resources. We work hard not only to reduce our impact on the environment, but also to preserve and enrich the resources entrusted to us."

Mike Garrett, Georgia Power President and CEO

Environmental Commitment Report