Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Good morning! We have double doses of two ongoing issues today. First up is the legacy of pollution in Brunswick, with a look at two long-term residents affected by it and also at long overdue efforts to clean it up. Next we have news from Georgia Power about a rate freeze, announced just as the state-wide race heats up for two seats on the board that regulates the monopoly utility.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
FEATURE: ENVIRONMENT
Profiles in a polluted place
Hal Hart and Anita Collins grew up in the mid-1960s near the tidal rivers of Brunswick, eating shrimp, flounder, whiting and pretty much any local catch on their plates. After high school, Collins moved away — and she soon stopped eating seafood.
That decision is likely the reason a recent study shows that Collins’ body is less contaminated with toxins than Hart’s. A peer-reviewed study of nearly 100 long-term Brunswick residents examined how they have been affected by two of Glynn County’s Superfund sites.
The Current’s Jabari Gibbs delved into the results of the Emory exposure study, the first of its kind in the Brunswick area. His report includes videos of Hart and Collins recounting their memories of living near the polluting factories.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Brunswick is burdened by four Superfund sites, a toxic legacy that’s taking decades to address. Next in line for cleanup is the Terry Creek Dredge Spoils/Hercules Outfall Superfund site. As The Current’s Jabari Gibbs reports, a remedial investigation is set to begin in 2026, the first step before any actual cleanup can occur.
How long will it take to complete? At the nearby LCP Chemicals site, now owned by Honeywell International, cleanup has been ongoing since 2015.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Rate freeze arrives as elections near
Georgia Power has proposed a three-year freeze on its rates, a welcome announcement for customers who have endured six rate increases over the last three years, as Emily Jones of WABE/Grist reports. But critics of the utility behemoth warn that a rate freeze doesn’t mean bills can’t go up. They’re eyeing possible charges that would allow Georgia Power to recoup its historic losses from Hurricane Helene as well as high fuel costs. The Georgia Public Service Commission will hold hearings on the proposal before voting on whether to approve, deny, or change it. PSC elections return this year after a five-year hiatus, with two of the five commissioners face voters after presiding over a series of rate hikes. Is it a coincidence that they have this good news for ratepayers now? Maybe, but as consumer advocate Liz Coyle noted, “The voters can and should be aware – they certainly are aware their power bills are already high. They’ll still be high the next three years.”
NEWS: ELECTIONS
Meet the candidates
With two seats up for grabs on the five-member Public Service Commission this year, it’s time to get to know the candidates ahead of the June 17 primary. An upcoming candidate forum in Savannah can help. PSC decisions have impact on the health and monthly budgets of most Coastal Georgians because they regulate how Georgia Power produces electricity (from fossil fuels or cleaner sources) and how much they charge.
Coastal Georgia for Democracy, the Savannah Indivisible group for Georgia District 1, will host a live open forum for voters to ask the candidates questions about their positions before they go vote. Hosted by WSAV-TV News Anchor Tina Tyus-Shaw, the free event will be held at 6 p.m. June 12 at the Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street, Savannah attendees are encouraged to RSVP here. Coastal Georgia for Democracy will live-stream the forum on its YouTube channel.
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Brunswick human exposure study leaves more questions than answers for participants
A peer-reviewed study has found that 40% of 97 Brunswick natives had higher concentrations of toxicants from two Superfund sites than the national average, with Black participants showing higher exposures than white participants.
EPA says Terry Creek site won’t be cleaned up any time soon
The EPA has announced that remedial investigation for the Terry Creek Dredge Spoils/Hercules Outfall Superfund site in Brunswick, GA will begin in 2026, while Honeywell continues to perform cleanup at the LCP Chemicals site, which is nearing completion.
Georgia Power agrees to freeze rates, but bills could still increase
Georgia Power has proposed a temporary freeze on rates, but customers may still see increases next year due to costs from Hurricane Helene.
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