If enacted, HR1298 would impact existing regulations concerning coal ash disposal within Georgia. The resolution encourages the EPD to prioritize public health and environmental safety by preventing practices that would allow coal ash to remain submerged in groundwater. By suggesting the denial of permits that allow for unsafe disposal practices, the resolution aligns Georgia's state regulations closer with federal standards aimed at protecting groundwater resources from pollution. It seeks to shift the current trend in which Georgia Power has applied for permits that could allow harmful disposal methods to continue.
Summary
House Resolution 1298 urges the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to deny waste handling permit applications by the Georgia Power Company for the disposal of coal ash in unlined pits that are in contact with groundwater. This resolution is in response to concerns over violations of federal laws intended to prevent groundwater contamination, as coal ash contains harmful pollutants such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and chromium. The resolution reflects a push towards stricter environmental protections in response to potential health risks imposed on Georgia's citizens and their water supply.
Contention
The implications of this resolution have drawn some debate. Supporters argue that it is crucial for the state to enforce stronger regulations to ensure coal ash does not contaminate vital groundwater resources, which belong to the public. Conversely, some stakeholders in the energy sector might argue that such regulations could interfere with the utility's operational objectives and add further cost to energy production. As detailed in the discussions surrounding the bill, the situation presents a significant point of contention between the need for energy resource management and the safeguarding of the public's environmental health.