HIGH STANDARDS FOR CLEAN POWER —Georgia PIRG staff and supporters succeeded in defeating a proposal that would have applied the Green Power label to trash incinerators. Georgia PIRG supports clean sources of energy, like offshore wind power.

Green Power Program Stays Green

After Georgia PIRG staff testified that the Public Service Commission (PSC) should reserve the Green Power label for energy sources that do not harm the environment and public health, the city of Savannah withdrew its petition to include energy from its solid waste incinerator as Green Power on Nov. 16. More than 400 Georgia PIRG supporters sent comments to PSC on the issue.

Solid waste incineration, or the burning of trash, is a significant source of toxic air emissions and wastes, including dioxin and lead.

Georgia’s Green Power program was established in 2001 to support the development of clean energy sources, such as biomass, wind and solar power. Georgians voluntarily enroll in the program and pay a little extra on their monthly utility bill to purchase green energy.

Georgia PIRG Supports BeltLine

Georgia PIRG Advocate Jill Johnson joined the Georgia Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center and the Sierra Club at a City Hall press conference on Oct. 4 to support the BeltLine project, a proposed 22-mile loop of transit, parks and pedestrian/bike trails through downtown Atlanta.

“Although Georgia’s air quality has improved since the 1970s, many Atlantans still breathe air that is considered unhealthy,” said Johnson. “The BeltLine can play an important role in reducing air pollution by offering increased intown mobility without increased emissions from cars.”

The Atlanta City Council voted 12-3 on Nov. 7 to approve funding for the BeltLine. Both the Atlanta Board of Education and Fulton County Commission must approve funding for the BeltLine before the end of the year for the project to remain viable.

Baker Calls for Stronger ID Theft Protection

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker and the attorneys general of 46 other states and territories have urged Congress not to interfere with state efforts to protect consumers from identity theft.

After several high-profile data leaks exposed consumers to identity thieves last year, Georgia joined California in passing PIRG-crafted notification laws so consumers will know when their financial data has been compromised.

However, proposed federal legislation could override the state protections. In an Oct. 28 letter, the attorneys general encouraged Congress to pass legislation that will expand upon, not hinder, the progress of states to force banks, credit card companies and other data dealers to do a better job of safeguarding our personal information.

Endangered Species Act Under Attack

In September, the House of Representatives approved controversial legislation that seeks to alter and weaken the Endangered Species Act. The effort was led by Rep. Richard Pombo, a long-time opponent of the act. Despite opposition from the scientific community, the Pombo legislation was approved by a 229-193 vote.

House passage of Rep. Pombo’s bill puts bald eagles, sea turtles, grizzly bears, Florida manatees and hundreds of other species at greater risk of losing the protections that have saved them from extinction.

“We will continue to expose this act for what it is—an attempt to undermine the most effective way to preserve species from habitat loss,” said PIRG’s Justin Tatham.