Georgia Power says closing coal plant won't make room for solar

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/business/2013-07-10/georgia-power-says-closing-coal-plant-wont-make-room-solar?v=1373469117

ATLANTA — Executives from Georgia Power Co. on Wednesday rejected the idea that closing a coal-fired power plant would open up capacity for generating electricity from solar panels.

They were responding to questions from Stan Wise, one of the five members of the Public Service Commission who will vote Thursday on the utility’s 20-year plan.
Normally, plan approval is fairly routine when it comes up every three years, but this year, it has become the focus of debate about whether the state’s largest electric utility should rely more on renewable energy sources.

“I think this is so weighty that we had to have this to make sure that I knew all that I needed to know going into tomorrow,” Wise said.

Environmental groups have advocated for more solar since Georgia Power submitted its plan before months of formal hearings. In recent days, conservative organizations, including some affiliated with the tea party movement, have weighed in – but on opposite sides.

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