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IEEFA Study: Georgia Power Should Retire Plant Hammond

November 17, 2015

Please Join Us For Our Plant Hammond Press Teleconference, 10 a.m. Eastern,
727-258-5789 PIN: 97609

Follow Along With This Slide Show

ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2015 – A study published today by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) concludes that Georgia Power’s aging Plant Hammond should be retired.

The study, Georgia Power Company Should Retire Plant Hammond, details how the 840-megawatt plant has become an uncompetitive source of electricity generation in recent years and how Georgia Power can better serve its ratepayers by investing instead in renewable resources and energy-efficiency programs.

“Plant Hammond has grown increasingly expensive for ratepayers in recent years,” said David Schlissel, director of resource planning analysis at IEEFA. “The higher costs are caused both by a decrease in generation at the plant and by significantly higher variable costs (fuel and non-fuel operations and maintenance).”

Schlissel noted that the plant’s four units are from 44 to 61 years old.

Highlights from the study:

  • Plant Hammond is similar to other coal-fired plants Georgia Power has either retired or announced it will retire soon.
  • Plant Hammond is hobbled by outdated coal-burning technology, poor operating performance and high production costs.
  • Plant Hammond plant produces power that is much more expensive than electricity available to Georgia Power from other sources, including wind and solar.

“While Georgia Power has suggested this plant could be retired as a result of the Clean Power Plan, the reality is that the economics alone are enough to warrant plant closure. Reduced carbon emissions and other pollution will be a welcome additional benefit,” said Amelia Shenstone, Campaigns Director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which commissioned the report. “Across the Southeast, we’re seeing that coal plants are no longer a cost-effective choice, and that phasing them out can protect ratepayers as well as clean air, clean water, and public health.”

Plant Hammond is near the town of Rome in northwest Georgia.

A full copy of the report is available here.

The presentation can be found here

PLEASE JOIN OUR PRESS TELECONFERENCE  WITH DAVID SCHLISSEL
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, AT 10 A.M. EASTERN
727-258-5789 PIN: 97609

Media contacts: Karl Cates, kcates@ieefa.org, 917.439.8225

Amelia Shenstone, amelia@cleanenergy.org, 339-223-0536

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About IEEFA

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) conducts research and analyses on financial and economic issues related to energy and the environment. The Institute’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy and to reduce.

 

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David Schlissel

David Schlissel is an IEEFA analyst with 50 years of experience as an economic and technical consultant on energy and environmental issues. 

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