You’re going to hear a lot today about picking up trash, volunteering at Piedmont Park, cleaning up Sweetwater Creek, or just spending time outside. I’m not here to say those things are meaningless, those actions do matter. None of it, though, is what is shaping the biggest environmental decisions in this state right now.
The decisions are being driven by energy, infrastructure, and cost. Georgia is growing, data centers are expanding, and Plant Vogtle is finally online after years of delays and cost overruns that ratepayers are still dealing with. The question is not whether that growth happens, but rather who is paying for it.
Right now, it is us.
You can see it in your bill. I have family members who will not touch the thermostat in the middle of a 90-degree Georgia summer just to keep costs down. That used to make a difference. It does not anymore.It’s not about what you are doing; the real reason things are getting more expensive is that the entire system is structured for continuous growth.
This past legislative session was supposed to deal with that, at least in part. The focus for us was straightforward: make sure ratepayers are not covering the cost of infrastructure built for massive energy users like data centers, and bring some level of transparency to how much power and water these projects are actually using.
We were at the Capitol all 40 days, including Sine Die, when things stretched to around 1 in the morning. By the time it ended, those efforts had been watered down, stripped back, or never called at all. The core issue is still sitting there unresolved and it’s why we’re at a crossroad in the state.
At the same time, the federal floor is disappearing. The endangerment finding is no longer in place as a backstop, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to loosen rules around coal ash, the toxic result left over from burning coal that contains heavy metals like arsenic and mercury. Calling it a “floor” at this point is generous. At this point it’s probably lower than my confidence in the Falcons winning a Super Bowl in my lifetime.
The problem with coal ash in Georgia is a big deal because there’s a ton of it just sitting in dirt pits and it could contaminate the water. The state runs its own permitting program through the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), which means decisions about whether that material stays in place long-term are being made here. With fewer federal environmental regulations, holding polluters accountable at sites like Plant Hammond becomes even harder, and even more significant on the state level.
People will spend today talking about parks and rivers, and they should. However, a lot of what determines what those places look like in the future, though, is happening in regulatory decisions, commission votes, and approvals that most people never see or even care about.
Those impacts do not land the same everywhere, and that is where the disconnect usually shows up. Atlanta has its own identity, with artists like JID shaping how people see the city. Southwest Georgia carries a legacy tied to artists like Ray Charles and Field Mob. Macon stands out with figures like Otis Redding and Little Richard. Along the coast, in places like Savannah and Brunswick, the conversation is shaped more directly by water, land, and development pressures. The point is not the music itself, but that different parts of Georgia operate under different conditions and realities, even though the policy framework does not always adjust to match and people must not take a “one-size fits all” approach.
None of this is about stopping growth. Georgia is going to grow. The question is whether that growth is structured in a way that is fair, transparent, and actually reflects what people are experiencing on the ground.
With the legislative session over, that conversation does not stop. The Public Service Commission is still making decisions about energy planning and cost recovery, and elections for seats like District 3 and District 5 will determine who is making those calls. Statewide races, including the governor’s race, will shape leadership at agencies like the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the Department of Natural Resources, which set the tone for how environmental protections are applied across the state. This Earth Day, ensure you are registered for the upcoming elections.
Uphold the spirit of our planet by voting on May 19th and selecting candidates who commit to protecting its core principles.
By Julian C. Harden