What Hyundai means for Bulloch wells

– Feb. 28, 2024 –

Good morning! With crossover day approaching in the legislature, the Hyundai Metaplant nearing completion, and Georgia Power seeking more capacity, we’re all about regulating and lawmaking today. Let’s look at how upcoming decisions have repercussions right here in our Coastal Georgia backyard.

Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org

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Bulloch wary of Hyundai’s water demand

More than 100 residents from Bulloch and Bryan counties spent three hours at an informational meeting on water issues Monday evening at Southeast Bulloch High School. There, scientists with the Environmental Protection Division reassured private well owners that the over 6 million gallons a day of water the Hyundai Metaplant needs won’t cause their private wells to salt up.

EPD also introduced several special conditions they have proposed for Bryan and Bulloch counties, which have requested the water withdrawal permits. One spells out a mechanism to compensate well owners if the have to lower their pumps. Many residents remain skeptical of whether the benefits of Hyundai will outweigh the risks for them.

The Current’s Mary Landers has the full story here.

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Ga. Power’s hungry for more

Last month Georgia Power made its case to state energy regulators about why the utility giant needed even more generating capacity than they’d asked for just two years ago in their regular planning cycle.

Hearings on the matter resume later this week, with consumer advocates and environmental groups providing their rebuttals. Expect to hear debate over the climate impacts of the proposed capacity as well as scrutiny of Georgia Power’s previous forecasts.

Capitol Beat’s Dave Williams has the update here.

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Lawmakers eye mining, paddling

The Okefenokee Protection Act continues to languish in committee despite having overwhelming bipartisan support and more than 90 co-sponsors. Meanwhile, a compromise bill that popped up last week is zooming through the legislative process.

Georgia Recorder’s Jill Nolin has the full story here.

Paddlers and anglers who frequent small streams are keeping an eye on legislation that could leave some of their favorite routes and fishing holes off limits where they run through private property.

One bill provides a list of which streams are considered “navigable” and therefore open to the public. The Georgia River Network points out, however, that the list omits more than 100 streams and rivers that canoeists and kayakers regularly travel, including Ebenezer Creek in Effingham County.

Georgia Recorder’s Jill Nolin has the full story here.

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Also noted:

•  A virtual public hearing for the draft permits related to Twin Pines Minerals’ proposed mining near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 5. Written comments can be submitted to twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov. The permits can be reviewed here.

• If you enjoy wildlife viewing in coastal Georgia, researchers want to hear from you. This brief online survey conducted by the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in concert with DNR will provide data to better understand this segment of eco-tourism, assess participation and estimate economic impacts.

• One Hundred Miles is offering a lecture about Sapelo Island’s ecological and cultural history on Thursday (RSVP to attend online or in person) and a tour of the island on March 21.  (RSVP and pay for the tour here.) Sapelo hosts the Hogg Hummock Community, the last island-based Gullah Geechee community in Georgia, as well as state-managed wildlife conservation areas and University of Georgia research facilities.

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