Sierra Club Georgia Chapter

@gasierraclub

Founded in 1983, the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter works on transitioning to clean & affordable electricity, protecting wild places, connecting folks with nature, and more! All our links: linktr.ee/gasierraclub

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Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 23d

The Okefenokee Swamp is officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site! It joins a list of some of the most amazing natural places on the planet, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Galapagos Islands.

An image of an alligator in the Okefenokee Swamp. Text below reads: "It’s official! The Okefenokee Swamp is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site!"

Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially designated the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) a World Heritage site, joining a distinguished list of cultural and natural sites of significant importance such as the Grand Canyon, Galapagos Islands, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal.

The Committee’s decision marks the end of a multi-decade effort by supporters of the Okefenokee to earn this recognition. The Okefenokee NWR is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Georgia.

“It’s a wonderful day for everyone who has worked to support and protect the Okefenokee Swamp over the years. Receiving this well-deserved designation is a testament to their efforts, and they should celebrate this achievement! We’re especially excited for south Georgia communities nearby that will benefit from the extra attention and tourism World Heritage designation will bring. Today, we celebrate, but tomorrow, the work to protect this now officially world-renowned ecosystem continues.” Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 28d

Last week, about 30 Georgians let their U.S. Senators know how important codifying the Roadless Rule in Law is for protecting Chattahoochee National Forest from development and extractive industry. Today we’re mailing 67 postcards encouraging them to cosponsor S.2042 Roadless Area Conservation Act.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jun 30

Join Sierra Club Georgia Chapter, @morethanjustparks.bsky.social, and @selc.bsky.social at Sweetwater Brewery on July 12 to write postcards in support of the National Forest Roadless Rule, a critical conservation tool! RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...

Roadless Rule & Brews: Postcard Writing EVENT Join Sierra Club Georgia Chapter, More Than Just Parks, and SELC at Sweetwater Brewery on July 12 to write postcards in support of the National Forest Roadless Rule, a critical conservation tool! Enjoy beers and n/a drinks, free t-shirts, and community! Sweetwater Brewery Sun, July 12 | 3-4 PM 195 Ottley Dr NE Atlanta, GA 30324

The Roadless Rule is one of the most critical conservation policies in U.S. history! What is the Roadless Rule? The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, known as the Roadless Rule, is a Forest Service rule that protects the least-developed portions of national forests from harmful roadbuilding, logging, mining, and oil and gas drilling. It covers 58.5 million acres of National Forest land, protects watersheds for 60 million people, provides habitat for more than 1,600 imperiled species, saves billions of taxpayer dollars on road maintenance, and fuels a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy across the country!

Take action to protect the Roadless Rule! WHAT’s at stake and what can you do? In June 2026, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the USDA is rescinding the Roadless Rule, which would lift federal prohibitions on road construction, reconstruction, and commercial logging. Join us on July 12 at Sweetwater Brewery to write postcards to USDA to oppose the rescission of the Roadless Rule and to ask Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Roadless Area Conservation Act (RACA), which would enshrine the Roadless Rule in law!

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jun 23

The National Park Service is considering "land swaps" on Cumberland Island, giving away public land in exchange for other property on the island. However, there is very little transparency about the size of these land swaps, whether they are critical habitats or ecologically fragile.

Help protect Cumberland Island! Proposed land swaps would remove untold acres from the Cumberland Island National Seashore, but the NPS hasn’t disclosed many critical details of the proposal. Use the link in our bio to tell your Members of Congress you are concerned about this proposal and demand transparency, accountability, and preservation of Cumberland Island.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Apr 6

C'mon and ride with the Sierra Club! The Sierra Club Military Outdoors, the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter & The Vet Space invite all servicemembers, veterans, and military families to spend a day on horseback at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA, on April 25.

An image of people on horseback. Text reads: "April 25. Ride with Sierra Club Military Outdoors and Friends." Below text are logos for the PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes, Sierra Club Military Outdoors, and The Vet Space.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Feb 26

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Kickoff Event last week! We have big goals for this year, and we need folks like you to make them happen! Check out the link below for ways to take action and plug into our work. linktr.ee/gasierraclub

A group of people at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

Two people hugging at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

A person with a microphone addresses a group of people at a brewery for the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter's Kickoff event

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Feb 18

Today, despite clear opposition from Georgians, the Georgia Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to allow Georgia Power to move forward with its massive expansion plan to provide power to data centers.

Georgia PSC Refuses to Reconsider Data Center Energy Plan We asked the Public Service Commission to reconsider Georgia Power’s massive expansion plan, estimated to cost as much as $60 billion. On Wednesday, the PSC voted 3-2 to reject our request. Georgians will end up paying for this poorly conceived plan for decades to come.

"Commissioners Johnson and Hubbard voted as representatives of the people to reconsider this RFP. It's crystal clear that Georgians are fed up with Georgia Power’s unchecked power to build whatever is necessary to line its pockets at the expense of the rest of the state. But the rest of the commission is committed to supporting state sanctioned corporate welfare, refusing to hold Georgia Power accountable and protect Georgia ratepayers." Adrien Webber, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jan 20

Want to find out the latest on the proposed changes to Cumberland Island's visitor management plan? Check out Wild_Cumberland's virtual town hall tomorrow evening at 7 PM. RSVP at this link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Major changes proposed to Cumberland Island National Seashore! NPS' 2026 Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP). Join us to discuss what's been proposed, why it matters, & what you can do! Register in advance. More info: wildcumberland.org. Virtual Town Hall, Jan. 21 @ 7 PM EST.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jan 14

Make sure you're signed up for email updates using the link in our bio!

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jan 14

The Georgia Legislature's 2026 session is underway! We'll be working on a variety of issues under the Gold Dome this year, check out some of our top priorities by swiping through.

The 2026 legislative session is here! Swipe to learn more about our priorities this year, from data centers to the Okefenokee!

Data Centers: Data centers are responsible for roughly 90% of new electricity demand in Georgia. To meet the demand, Georgia Power wants to build new methane plants and run old coal plants in Georgia and Mississippi. We support these four bills to increase transparency and make sure Georgians aren’t footing the bill for data centers:
SB 34 requires data centers pay for upgrades and expansions of our power grid they are causing.
HB 528 requires data centers disclose water/power use, tax breaks they’ve received, and more.
HB 559 ends a state tax break for data centers five years earlier than currently scheduled.
SB 94 would bring back a Consumer Utility Counsel to represent the public at the PSC.

Protect our water: HB 561, known as the Okefenokee Protection Act, would provide permanent protection for Trail Ridge, the eastern rim of the Okefenokee Swamp. Experts say protecting Trail Ridge is critical to the health of the swamp and surrounding wetlands.
HB 812 is an attempt by developers to get rid of rules that protect local water sources from construction runoff, claiming it would make it easier to build new housing. We’ll be working to stop this bill.
HB 611 would require industrial operations to disclose their use of PFAS, also known as microplastics or “forever chemicals.” This would make it easier for local governments to operate their water treatment facilities properly.

Get our veterans outside: 44% of Veterans in metro-Atlanta DO NOT have access to the nature in their communities! SB 190 is a bipartisan measure waive certain fees at state parks and other outdoor spaces for active duty members of military, veterans, and Gold Star family members. This legislation moves Georgia into alignment with the federal government, and other states in the southeast, that waive access fees for veterans & reduce costs of amenities. The bill comes after state officials voted to increase fees at state parks in late 2025.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jan 12

Sierra Club, @cleanenergy.org, and @selc.bsky.social have filed a motion asking the Georgia Public Service Commission reconsider its vote on Georgia Power's massive spending plan to power data centers. Read more at this link: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...

A second look. We’re demanding the PSC reconsider Georgia Power’s massive expansion plan. PSC’s own staff estimates customer bills could go up about $20 per month and customers would pay $50-60 billion over the next 50 years.

The Sierra Club, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) filed a motion to reconsider Georgia Power’s “Requests for Proposals,” or RFP, which the PSC approved on Dec. 19. Georgia Power’s plan could lock Georgia ratepayers into higher utility bills for decades while expanding methane gas plants that will pollute Georgia communities until 2075.

Despite clear evidence that Georgia Power does not need to procure 10 gigawatts of resources by 2031 —including the unnecessary, overly expensive 757-megawatt Plant McIntosh gas plant— the Commission approved the company’s plan anyway. The Sierra Club, SELC and SACE’s motion asks the Commission to reconsider its decision in light of the record.

“This approval by the PSC gives Georgia Power the largest and most expensive grid expansion in the country. This is state-sanctioned corporate welfare approved by two lame duck commissioners with one foot out the door, and it’s exactly the business-as-usual approach that voters overwhelmingly rejected at the ballot box in November. The RFP should be reconsidered now that Commissioners Johnson and Hubbard have been seated.” Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jan 6

We are one week away from the start of the Georgia Legislature's 2026 session! To get ready for the 40 day marathon, join us on Thursday evening for a preview of the legislative session! The event is being held online via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere!

2026 Legislative Preview. Hear from Georgia Chapter Legislative Chair Mark Woodall and environmental lobbyist Neill Herring to get a rundown of our priorities at the Legislature this year. Thursday, January 8th, 6-7 PM, Virtual over Zoom

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Dec 23

Happy Holidays from all of us here at the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter!

A collage of photos featuring Sierra Club Georgia Chapter staff, supporters, and volunteers at events, outings, and educational seminars. Text at the bottom reads "Happy Holidays from the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter."

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Dec 11

Georgia Power is on the verge of getting its massive $15 billion+ spending plan approved. On Wednesday, Georgia PSC staff announced it had reached a settlement with Georgia Power to approve spending billions to add 10 gigawatts of electricity to power data centers.

A bad deal for Georgia. State officials on the verge of approving Georgia Power’s $15 billion spending plan. The Georgia PSC is rushing to certify a plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the country to supply electricity to power-hungry data centers.

An hour before hearing testimony from the public and advocacy groups on Wednesday, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) released a settlement with Georgia Power over the utility’s plan to build the most expensive gas plants in the country, leaving Georgians to foot the bill. The utility’s proposal is expected have a price tag of at least $15 billion in capital costs, though the total costs have yet to be publicly disclosed. The proposed settlement would dramatically increase Georgian’s energy bills for years to come for data centers that might not even be built.

“Georgia Power’s agreement is still based on the idea that data center projects are coming, which is not guaranteed. The PSC’s own staff saw Georgia Power’s plan as overbuilding for projects that may or may not appear, threatening to leave the cost for ratepayers to pick up. It’s infuriating that Georgia Power and the PSC refuse to even take public comment or insight from advocates into consideration before coming to this agreement. Filing this agreement just an hour before the second round of hearings shows that the PSC refuses to be held accountable to the people of Georgia.” Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Nov 5

Congrats to Commissioners-Elect Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard! We are so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make this election result happen. We look forward to working with our new commissioners next year!

Congratulations to our new Commissioners! Preliminary results show Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard have won their elections for two seats on the Public Service Commission. The commission is a crucial component of much of the Sierra Club’s work, including retiring fossil fuels, transitioning to clean energy, and ensuring Georgians pay affordable electric bills.

"Congratulations to Commissioners-Elect Johnson and Hubbard on their historic election to Georgia's Public Service Commission. This is a monumental victory for Georgia ratepayers, families, and small businesses who deserve affordable, clean energy to power their lives. This election shows that Georgia voters are paying attention and understand that business as usual down at the Public Service Commission cannot continue. This election is also a clarion call to our elected officials to advocate for everyday people, not multi-billion dollar companies. We look forward to working with Commissioners-Elect Johnson and Hubbard as we continue to advocate for Georgians at the PSC." Adrien Webber (he/him) Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Nov 4

Get out and vote today, Georgia! Polls are open until 7 PM. Find your Election Day polling place here: mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.

Today is election Day! Here’s what you need to know.

Election Day info:
Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
If you’re in line at 7 PM, you are still allowed to vote.
Be sure to bring a valid photo ID (Driver’s licenses, passports, U.S. military IDs, or tribal IDs).
Find your election day polling place at mvp.sos.ga.gov (linked in our bio).
If you experience problems voting, call the Georgia Voter Protection Line at 1-888-730-5816 to report the issue and get help.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Oct 30

Earlier this week, Sherman attended the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board meeting to discuss the proposed fee increase and how it will impact Georgia's veteran and active duty military communities.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Oct 27

And make sure to vote! Early voting is open through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 4. Find your polling place at iwillvote.com

Make your voice heard! Find your early voting and election day polling places at iwillvote.com. Early voting is underway and runs through Friday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Oct 27

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is a little-known government body with an outsized impact on your life. Two members of the PSC are on the ballot this year, so read through this post to learn more about them.

What is the Georgia PSC? And why is it so important? This little-known government body impacts your life more than you might think.

The Georgia Public Service Commission, or PSC, is an important government body that regulates utilities in Georgia. When Georgia Power wants to raise electricity rates to pay for construction of new fossil fuel plants, the PSC has to approve it. When Georgia Power decides to generate more electricity using coal or methane gas instead of clean energy sources, the PSC votes on whether to approve the plan. In short, the PSC decides how much you pay for electricity and where that electricity comes from.

Recent votes taken by the Georgia PSC: Six rate increases in the last three years; Approved high profit margins for GA Power ($2.5 billion in 2024); Ratified energy plan that would make GA Power one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S.

Here’s the good news: The Public Service Commission is an elected body. Voters decide whether to keep them in office or elect someone new. Two members of the PSC are up for election this year! Members of the PSC are elected statewide, so every Georgia voter gets to vote in both PSC races.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Oct 24

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

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Oct 20

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."

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Sep 25

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.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 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

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 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· 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.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 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.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· 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!

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jun 24

(3/4) In response to this news, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Organizing Manager Tasnim Mosabber (she/her) released the following statement:

Text on a light green background reads: ""We’re incredibly grateful to our coalition partners and the hundreds of thousands of people who stepped up to help protect the Okefenokee over the years. Every public comment, every letter to lawmakers, every word spoken at legislative hearings and public meetings – all of these individual actions made this victory possible. The path was not easy, and the work to ensure the Okefenokee is protected for future generations will go on, but for now, we’re joining Georgians of all stripes in celebration." Tasnim Mosabber (she/her), Organizing Manager, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter."

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jun 24

(1/4) The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter and conservationists worldwide are celebrating the news that The Conservation Fund has purchased Twin Pines Minerals’ mining site on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp.

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter@gasierraclub· Jun 17

It's Election Day in Georgia! Today's ballot includes primary elections for the Public Service Commission (PSC). Electing good candidates to the PSC has huge consequences on our work to bring more clean energy to Georgia. Find your polling place and get out and vote! Polls are open until 7 PM.