Author | Lightnews

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 23h

Early voting is happening NOW through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4. Make sure you make your voice heard at the polls this year! Find your polling place and more info at iwillvote.com.

I Will Vote

Be a voter. Find everything you need to vote in your state’s next election.

iwillvote.com

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 23h

New endorsements just dropped! In addition to endorsing Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard for the Georgia Public Service Commission, we've also endorsed candidates in Atlanta and other cities in the metro area.

Sierra Club is proud to endorse: Georgia Public Service Commission - District 2: Alicia Johnson; District 3: Peter Hubbard. Atlanta City Council - Council President: Rohit Malhotra; District 2: Kelsea Bond; District 4: Jason Dozier; District 7: Thomas Worthy; District 11: Nate Jester; District 12: Stephanie Flowers

Sierra Club is proud to endorse: Other Municipal Elections - Braselton Mayor: Brandon Reed; Duluth Mayor: Jamin Harkness; Lilburn Mayor: Tiffany Brunson; Marietta Mayor: Sam Foster; Norcross Mayor: Bruce Gaynor; Snellville Mayor: Dan Russell; Suwannee Mayor: T. Nicole Linder

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 5d

Commissioners also review and vote on long-term energy plans from utilities like Georgia Power, including whether electricity will come from dirty fossil fuels or clean energy sources.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 5d

The PSC is an important government body that makes important decisions about regulating utilities in Georgia. The PSC sets rates for many electricity providers, meaning it has direct input on millions of Georgians' power bills.

1 1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 5d

Dr. Johnson is a committed community advocate with years of experience and will bring a much needed voice to the PSC. Peter has spent years working in the energy sector, and his experience and expertise will make him an excellent advocate for the people of Georgia.

1 1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 5d

Sierra Club is proud to endorse Alicia Johnson for the Public Service Commission (PSC) District 2 and Peter Hubbard for PSC District 3. Early voting is happening now through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4. This race will determine the future of energy in our state, so make sure you get out & vote!

Image of Alicia Johnson. Text below her photo reads: "Sierra Club endorses Alicia Johnson, Public Service Commission District 2"

Image of Peter Hubbard, text below the photo reads: "Sierra Club endorses Peter Hubbard, Public Service Commission District 3."

1 1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 9d

Scientist @hankgreen.bsky.social lays out the facts about the upcoming Georgia Public Service Commission elections. Early voting is underway now and runs until Halloween! Election Day is November 4!

I Need 1% of Georgia to Watch This Video

YouTube video by Hank Green

www.youtube.com

3

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · 29d

Georgia Power deserves this F, but we don't deserve to suffer from their negligence. Learn more about the "Dirty Truth" behind our rising utility bills at this link: www.sierraclub.org/coal/dirty-t...

Chart showing Georgia Power's progress on three categories: coal, clean energy, and gas. Georgia Power has made 0% progress on retiring coal by 2030, 14% progress on being powered by 100% clean energy by 2035, and has 9,670 megawatts of gas planned by 2035. These plans earned the utility an F in the Sierra Club's 2025 "Dirty Truth" analysis.

2

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Sep 24

Learn more about the role and how you can be a part of our leadership at this link: www.sierraclub.org/georgia/ExCo...

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter 2025 Executive Committee Elections

The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to fill four at-large seats on our Executive Committee for two-year terms beginning in January 2026.

www.sierraclub.org

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Sep 24

We're looking for some dedicated folks who want to help lead our Chapter. If you're interested in working to promote clean energy, protect our forests and other wild places, lobbying for better environmental policy, or advocating for your community's health, this is a great opportunity for you!

Join the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Executive Committee! Are you passionate about clean energy, environmental justice, protecting wild places, and legislative lobbying? We're looking for dedicated volunteers to help lead our Chapter. Learn more and apply: sierraclub.org/georgia/ExComElections2025

1 2

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Sep 19

Our best advice is to get involved at the local level first! We have a form at the link below that will help you contact your county and municipal elected officials. It takes less than five minutes to send your message.

www.sierraclub.org/georgia/data...

What action can you take? Attend public meetings on data centers and recommend local ordinances to your local elected officials. Engage in constituent lobbying efforts with your state legislators. Organize in your community by educating neighbors about the problems that come with new data centers.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Sep 19

In addition to their huge power and water requirements, data centers cause many other problems, including getting tax breaks for not many jobs, noise pollution, and more.

www.sierraclub.org/georgia/data...

Taxes & Jobs: Georgia's existing and planned data centers can qualify for a full exemption from sales and use taxes. Tax exemptions for two data center programs are estimated to cost $296 million in 2025. Data centers only create about 30 jobs after construction. These are not enough jobs in communities to justify the tax breaks they receive.

Noise: Residents report loud noise disruptions during construction and a loud hum from the cooling systems and backup generators once the facility is operational. Noise pollution causes sleep disturbances, heart issues, and anxiety.

Natural Disasters: The strain on our power grid during extreme weather conditions like heat waves and hurricanes may lead to rolling blackouts in struggling communities. Data centers draw about as much water as all the residents in their local communities. What happens during a drought? Who gets the water: people, crops, or computers?

Energy Burden: Residential power bills in Georgia have increased six times in the last two years. Since 2023, the average customer's bill has increased by more than $500 a year. Meanwhile, Southern Company made $4.4 billion in profit last year. Black households already have a disproportionate amount of their income going to the power bills, with 43% of black households having a higher energy burden than white households.

1 1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Sep 19

Massive data centers that consume as much electricity and water as a major city are coming to Georgia. Use the link below to learn more about these facilities and how they will impact your community and get resources to help you take action today!

www.sierraclub.org/georgia/data...

What is a data center? How will they affect you and the environment? Swipe to see the impacts.

Data Centers: Large windowless warehouses that store large computers and servers, and therefore, information. It is within these buildings that AI and the cloud live. As demand increases, these facilities are rapidly growing in number and size and using more and more of our power and water.

Power: More than 90% of Georgia Power's projected increased energy demands over the next decade are to accommodate data centers. To meet the demand, Georgia Power plans to extend the life of coal plants and increase our reliance on methane gas, which ratepayers like yourself will pay for.

Water: Data centers use a lot of water. The planned data centers in Georgia will use about as much water as all the residents of Athens-Clarke use annually. A large data center can use up to 200 million gallons of water annually, equivalent to about 2,000 homes.

1 1 3

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Aug 15

Located in Washington Park right off the Westside Beltline, and an easy stroll northwest of Ashby MARTA Station, transit, walking, and biking are all viable options. Additionally, MARTA bus Routes 1, 3, and 68 operate nearby. Parking is available in the area, though limited.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Aug 15

Enjoy this chance to hang out with your fellow transit supporters for a relaxed evening of food, and socializing!

RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...

Let's Talk Transit!

Join the Georgia Sierra Club Transportation Committee, BeltLine Rail Now, and MARTA Army for a chance to hang out with your fellow transit supporters for a relaxed evening of drinks, food, and sociali...

act.sierraclub.org

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Aug 15

Tuesday, Aug. 19: Join the Georgia Sierra Club Transportation Committee, @beltlinerailnow.bsky.social, @martaarmy.bsky.social, and @threadatl.bsky.social at the Washington Park Pavilion for our One-Year Anniversary of Let's Talk Transit!

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Aug 15

Join Rep. Ro Khanna and local leaders for a “Benefits over Billionaires” town hall in Atlanta on Monday to speak out against Trump’s mass firings and the Republicans cutting more than $1 trillion in Medicaid and healthcare! RSVP: www.mobilize.us/rokhanna/eve...

Benefits Over Billionaires in Atlanta, GA: Ro Khanna, Nina Turner, & Progressives Partners! · Ro For Congress

On August 18th, I'm hosting a town hall with Protect Our Care and other progressive partners in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm especially excited to have my dear friend and progressive leader, Nina Turner, as ...

www.mobilize.us

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 18

Learn more and read Sierra Club's reaction to this decision at the link below.

EPA To Delay Cleanups of Georgia’s Toxic Coal Ash Landfills

ATLANTA - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will side with the coal industry over our communities and delay the required cleanup of toxic coal ash landfills until 2030.

www.sierraclub.org

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 18

In Georgia, there are 24 federally regulated coal ash ponds and landfills containing nearly 87 million cubic yards of toxic waste at nine coal plants. All but one of these sites have contaminated groundwater.

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 18

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will side with the coal industry over our communities and delay the required cleanup of toxic coal ash landfills until 2030.

1 1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 9

Check your voter registration and find your Election Day polling place: mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

Elections Portal

mvp.sos.ga.gov

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 9

Find your county's early voting location: mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/advanced-v...

Elections Portal

mvp.sos.ga.gov

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 9

Early voting for the runoff is taking place this week, and Election Day is this Tuesday, July 15! The GA Public Service Commission (PSC) decides how much you'll pay for power bills, how much clean energy we invest in Georgia and how Georgia will build a cleaner, green future for all our communities.

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 9

The statewide Democratic Primary runoff for Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 seat is happening now between clean energy advocate Peter Hubbard and former Atlanta City Council Member Keisha Sean Waites. This election could come down to a handful of votes so make a plan to vote!

1

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter @gasierraclub.bsky.social · Jul 7

Join Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Outings Chair Grant Brown on a "training" hike up Kennesaw Mountain! If you want to find out if your pack is too heavy for an overnight hike, this is a great opportunity to do so! RSVP and learn more at the link below.

act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...

Kennesaw Mountain Training Hike

We will hike from the Visitor's Center up Big and Little Ken and back for 3 miles and 1200' elevation gain!

act.sierraclub.org