– Aug. 28, 2024 –
Correction, Aug. 28, 2024, 9:30 a.m.: Current Conversations was held Aug. 22, 2024 at College of Coastal Georgia. The college was misidentified in an earlier newsletter.
Good morning! Today we have an update about the permitting of the Hyundai site, then a reminder of dates for the Sapelo zoning referendum, and finally a look at how a Mississippi coal plant is powering Georgia data centers. We also introduce a new occasional feature called “Just one thing” to share ideas about taking action on the environment in our own lives.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send us a note at staff@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Corps takes another look Hyundai permit
Late Friday afternoon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District informed the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority it was taking a second look at the site permit for the Hyundai project. That behemoth development in Bryan County is months away from producing its first electric vehicle. But as the Ogeechee Riverkeeper pointed out in its June notice of an impending lawsuit, the corps issued the permit without considering the 6.625 million gallons a day the site and associated development would be sucking from the Floridan aquifer. The Current’s Mary Landers reports on what the reevaluation means and what happens next.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Sapelo vote gears up
Yards signs encouraging voters to “Vote yes” in the upcoming referendum started appearing last week in McIntosh County. Early voting about the nearly year-old rezoning of Hogg Hummock begins Sept. 9 and culminates Oct. 1 with the countywide special election. Meanwhile, the county commission is suing the probate judge who approved the petition and put the issue on the ballot. The Current’s Mary Landers reports.
ENVIRONMENT: EXPLAINER
Coal use continues for Georgia
A Mississippi coal plant will soon be powering new data centers in Georgia. Environmentalists are concerned because the coal plant had been slated for closure but now will keep running, adding more carbon to the atmosphere. A utility watchdog labels Georgia Power’s purchase of power from sister company Mississippi Power “self-dealing” and warns it could be a bad deal for ratepayers. Grist reporters Emily Jones and Gautama Mehta explain how regulators at the Georgia Public Service Commission approved the deal.
Just one thing
On Thursday, The Current went on the road for the latest installment of our Current Conversations, this one with Assistant Professor of Geology Robin McLachlan at College of Coastal Georgia. About 85 students and community members discussed creating a “personal environmental action plan.” McLachlan, who teaches about climate change and environmental communication, offered suggestions based on what works for her and her students. One piece of advice: Make sure public officials know how you feel about environmental issues. Tell elected officials and offer public comment to regulators, especially during public comment periods. Environmental groups including Glynn Environmental Coalition and One Hundred Miles can help you keep abreast of these issues, as can The Current.
With this tip we’re inaugurating an occasional new feature called “Just one thing” in the Coast Watch newsletter. Send “just one thing” you do as part of your personal environmental action plan to our favorites and credit the contributor. Thanks!
Also noted:
- The Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority will hold a board meeting at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Bryan County Board of Education, 8810 Highway 280, Black Creek. Find the meeting agenda here.
- The feral horses of Cumberland Island and their supporters, including the Georgia Equine Rescue League, filed a request last week to order island administrators to “relieve the suffering and death of plaintiff Horses of Cumberland Island by increasing the availability of water and forage resources on the island.” The request, along with a supporting brief and affidavit, are the latest filings in a 2023 case that seeks to compel federal and Georgia government agencies to protect the 150-175 horses that roam the national seashore and to protect the native wildlife from the horses.
- NOAA Fisheries recently announced a $528,000 grant for a living shoreline project at Martha Randolph Stevens Park — an important historical park and community resource in Seabrook, a historic Gullah Geechee community. The Georgia Conservancy will collaborate with the Seabrook Village Foundation on the project.
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!
Army corps to reevaluate Hyundai site permit
Works continues at the 2,500-acre Hyundai site as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-evaluates the site permit.
Early voting begins Sept. 9 for Sapelo election
McIntosh County residents are scheduled to head to the polls Oct. 1 to vote on the rezoning of Hogg Hummock n Sapelo.
Why Mississippi coal is powering Georgia’s data centers
In order to provide electricity to Georgia, a Mississippi Power coal plant that had been slated for closure will keep running and ratepayers won’t know the cost.
The trouble with horses on Cumberland Island
Horse advocates say the National Park Service is violating Georgia law by failing to care for the horses in a humane way.
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.