Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Good morning! We have two stories today about how the effects of International Paper’s sudden closures last fall are still reverberating in Coastal Georgia. We’re also looking at plans that will impact sea turtle hatchlings in Glynn and plans for new wastewater treatment in Liberty County. Finally, Georgia lawmakers have rejected portable “balcony solar,” but the idea is gaining traction in other states.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Aquifer recovery
While not unexpected, it’s still dramatic to see how the Floridan aquifer has risen in response to the International Paper shutdown, as The Current’s Mary Landers reports. With the paper giant no longer slurping more than 10 million gallons of water a day out of the ground near Savannah, the aquifer level in this area has risen above levels recorded in the 1950s, data from the U.S. Geological Survey show.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight Local
Turtle trouble
Loggerhead sea turtles are a threatened species, but Glynn County is nevertheless poised to gut many of the beachfront lighting restrictions proposed for their protection, as The Current’s Jabari Gibbs reports. Environmentalists are critical of the latest draft zoning ordinance, but some community members support it.
“At some point, we have to think about the fact that there might be an oceanfront homeowner who has recently renovated their house, and they plan on keeping this house in their family,” said Courtlyn Cook, member of the Island Planning Commission and chair of the Glynn County GOP. “Their children are probably going to want to renovate and update it, and then they’re going to be punished and have to do these red lights and orange lights.”
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Balcony solar sidelined
The sun set quickly on a piece of legislation meant to make small-scale solar power more accessible to Georgians. State Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) on Feb. 13 introduced House Bill 1304 that would exempt “balcony solar” — portable, plug-in solar energy generation devices — from certain regulatory requirements that apply to rooftop solar. Georgia Power and the EMCs testified against it, and it didn’t get a committee vote, as The Current’s Mary Landers reports.
That’s likely the end of the story for balcony solar in Georgia this legislative session. But the technology, which allows renters and lower income households to generate their own electricity from sunshine, is getting attention from lawmakers in more than 25 states this year, as Canary Media reports.
EXPLAINER, NEWS: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
New wastewater treatment
The Liberty County Development Authority is planning to build a $32.5 million high-tech wastewater treatment plant to meet projected growth in the eastern part of the county. The Current’s Robin Kemp has the details on the plant, which would allow parts of Midway and unincorporated Liberty to get off loosely-regulated, flood-prone septic tanks.
EXPLAINER: BUSINESS
Timber talks
International Paper’s departure gave a lift to the aquifer but had the opposite effect on timber growers in the region. The paper giant’s abrupt shutdown in the fall resulted in a loss of jobs and decreased demand for timber that has prompted state lawmakers to consider new laws and initiatives to help save the industry, as The Current’s Jasmine Wright reports.
We want to meet your friends! If you like this newsletter be sure to share it. And, if someone shared this with you, click here to sign up for regular delivery!
Aquifer rebounds after International Paper closure
The Floridan aquifer in Savannah has risen to levels not seen in over 70 years due to the shutdown of International Paper, which had been withdrawing up to 12.2 million gallons of water a day from the aquifer.
Glynn County’s new zoning draft fails to update light protections for sea turtles
Glynn County has released a second draft of its zoning ordinances, which would gut many of the lighting restrictions intended to protect sea turtles, and has been met with criticism from environmentalists who argue that the changes will result in the needless death of turtles.
Georgia balcony solar bill sidelined
House Bill 1304, which would have exempted “balcony solar” devices from certain regulatory requirements, was not put to a vote in the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee, likely ending its chances of passing this legislative session.
$32.5M wastewater plant proposed to meet Liberty County’s growth needs
The county is almost out of capacity to handle sewage and industrial wastewater, which would keep it from bringing in new homes and businesses.
Georgia timber industry seeks innovative solutions amid market challenges
Georgia’s timber industry has been hit hard by the closure of International Paper’s mills, resulting in job losses and decreased demand for timber, prompting state lawmakers to consider new laws and initiatives to help save the industry.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM
You must be logged in to post a comment.