In September 2024, the Georgia Public Service Commission (GA PSC) approved changes to Georgia Power’s energy plan. They approved an 80 megawatt addition of woody biomass. Altamaha Green Energy (AGE) wants to produce 70 megawatts in Jesup, GA. AGE plans to have a biomass (wood) boiler operating at the Rayonier site by 2029.
Why should you say NO to this biomass boiler?
Biomass boilers are expensive, inefficient, and create pollution. The costs of this project will be passed on to ratepayers. It’s unlikely AGE will be able to produce 70 megawatts of energy. Local residents will face increased pollution that is harmful to human health. Say “NO” to this biomass boiler scheme because:
- it won’t create permanent jobs.
- ratepayers will pay 3x the value of the energy they’ll receive.
- burning wood biomass is dirtier than coal.
- it will create harmful air pollution.
- the pollution can be harmful for people’s lungs and heart. It can even cause cancer.
- it increases the risk of fires.
GA Power is using the Rayonier site to test Biomass Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). They’re testing the soil for capability to permanently store carbon dioxide (CO2). This technology is largely unproven. It has not been viable in other locations. Carbon capture and storage is very expensive, not efficient, and can be damaging to the environment.
Submit your public comment today
Send your written comments to [email protected]. Use the subject heading “Altamaha Green Energy Air Quality Permit” by 4:30 pm EDT on June 9, 2025.
Public comment period ends Friday, June 9, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Georgia EPD is accepting written comments on the draft permit through June 9, 2025 at 4:30pm. Don’t forget: send your written comments to [email protected]. Use the subject heading “Altamaha Green Energy Air Quality Permit”.
Use the public comment below or write your own.
Sample Written Comment
To: Steve Allision, Program Manager, Stationary Source Permitting Program
[email protected]
Subject: Altamaha Green Energy Air Quality Permit
Please deny Georgia Power’s proposal to install a 70 MW biomass plant in Jesup, GA. The proposed biomass-burning plant in Jesup will harm communities. They will pay with their health and income.
Biomass burning produces toxic air pollution. These include particulates (fine dust), carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and other hazardous air pollutants. Pollutants like these cause many health problems. Fine dust, called PM2.5, is especially harmful. PM2.5 can get into lungs and bloodstreams. PM2.5 can hurt lung function, worsen asthma, and cause heart attacks and premature death.
The biomass industry has a history of violations. Every wood pellet plant in Georgia has been in violation of their air permit. The Beasley Group, the owner of FRAM Renewable Energy, is also the owner of Altamaha Green Energy. The Beasley Group has violated their air permits at all five of their locations across our state.
Research has shown that burning biomass is not clean, green, or renewable. Burning wood is a primitive and inefficient energy option. In a blackout during December of 2022, only 63 of 330 MW’s of biomass-produced energy was available. This is a 19% efficiency. Based upon the 20% efficiency rate, only 13.3 MW of the planned 70 MW from Altamaha will be available. The majority of the energy will be released as steam which will be sold to Rayonier.
Biomass burners are as dirty and problematic as coal plants. Wood pellets are not carbon neutral. The production and combustion of wood pellets creates 50% more carbon dioxide than coal.
The purpose and responsibility of the GA PSC is to ensure that rates are fair and reasonable. Biomass electricity is costly to ratepayers. This project will cost ratepayers more than 3x the avoided cost. It costs more than other proven renewable energy. Bioenergy has been an expensive failure in other cities. In Gainesville and Austin, biomass operations were money pits.
Logging, which includes logging for wood pellets, is the predominant cause of carbon emissions from US forests. This is more than insects, drought, fire, and wind combined. Logging for wood pellets has clearcut more than 900,000 acres in the US South in the last decade.
I oppose Georgia Power’s proposal to install a 70 MW biomass plant in Jesup, Georgia. This plant will harm local residents and increase costs to ratepayers across the state. It fundamentally conflicts with the public interest.
Thank you.
Join the virtual public hearing
The GA Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) will hold a public hearing to hear comments on the proposed new boiler. GA EPD will consider all public comments before deciding whether to issue the permit, deny the permit, or issue it with amended conditions. You can make your voice heard by giving a spoken public comment at the public hearing.
Public Hearing: Monday, June 9, 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Link to hearing: bit.ly/ga-public-hearing-2025
Meeting ID: 968 7024 7831
Passcode: 221662
Those joining via computer can use their computer audio, or may also dial-in. Dial-in number will be provided.
Have questions or need more information?
For additional information, contact Steve Allison, Program Manager, Stationary Source Permitting Program at [email protected] or by phone at (404) 363-7020.
Sample spoken public comments
Example 1:
Biomass boilers are inefficient and inexpensive. This project is going to increase costs for ratepayers, and won’t even provide the amount of energy needed. The price customers will pay is more than 3x the value of the energy we will receive.
Example 2:
The Beasley Group who is part-owner of AGE is a bad actor. They own five wood pellet mills in Georgia and three pellet mills just north of Jesup in Baxley, Hazlehurst, and Lumber City. They have had 24 GA EPD enforcements since 2012 due to breaking their air permit. We don’t want them adding more pollution to our community. We don’t trust them to keep our air safe.
Example 3:
The Beasley Group has violated pollution laws 24 times at their other plants in GA. Why does GAEPD continue to give them permits when they are not able to comply with their existing permits?
Example 4:
Studies show biomass boilers are bad for human health. Biomass burners release toxins and pollution that are harmful to human health. The draft air permit does not require AGE to control their pollution at the highest level. GAEPD should not approve permits for projects that are harmful to human health.
Example 5:
Building a larger biomass boiler will cause an increase in pollution. Burning wood, especially pine wood, releases many dangerous pollutants into the air. Burning woody biomass is dirtier than burning coal.
Example 6:
This project will not provide any new jobs. Existing staff at RYAM will run this biomass boiler. This project will cost millions of dollars only to increase energy rates, increase pollution, and provide no local benefit.
Example 7:
The state of Georgia is in an energy crisis. Georgia Power wants taxpayers to subsidize them so they can line their pockets while ratepayers pay more for dirty energy. Domestic biomass burning is being touted as a new alternative at the cost of deforestation, increased pollution, climate change and higher electricity rates.
What else can you do to help?
We need Georgians to raise their voices! The state of Georgia must stop handing out taxpayer funding and greenlighting permits for the expansion of the wood pellet industry. Take action now!