Groups challenge air permit for massive methane gas and oil expansion at Plant Bowen

ATLANTA — Late Friday afternoon, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit challenging the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) permit allowing Georgia Power to add four new gas and oil fired units at Plant Bowen in the northwest Atlanta metro area.

The four new fossil fuel units would generate huge amounts of ozone pollution (also known as smog) that will worsen air quality for millions of Atlanta metro area residents and further expose them to unhealthy levels of dangerous pollutants. Ozone pollution is linked to asthma attacks, reduced lung function, heart problems, missed school and work days, and premature death, and is especially harmful to children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

Atlanta’s air quality is already violating federal health-based standards for ozone pollution. Although Atlanta was officially reclassified as meeting the federal ozone standard in 2022, recent air monitoring shows pollution levels are once again failing to meet the standard. When an area like this violates the ozone standard, federal law requires the state to implement contingency measures to prevent air quality from getting worse.

In comments on the draft permit, the groups pointed out that these required contingency measures include nonattainment New Source Review rules—meaning new or expanded industrial sources that contribute to ozone pollution must face tougher pollution controls and permitting requirements. EPD disregarded the law and approved the project anyway, which the groups are now appealing before the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings.

“EPD refused to follow their own plan for addressing federal ozone violations and instead gave Georgia Power a green light to emit significantly more smog-forming pollution, putting the health of surrounding communities at even greater risk,” said Marissa Land, associate attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. “As Georgia Power continues to roll out the red carpet with massive new fossil fuel projects for data center demand that may never materialize, Georgians are paying the price with dirtier air and higher bills. EPD must be held accountable for failing to protect public health and Georgia’s air quality.”

“Building more fossil fuel power plants in 2026 defies logic. Cleaner and reliable alternatives are available, can be built faster and cheaper, and would not release climate-altering emissions,” said Adrien Webber (he/him), Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Director and a plaintiff in this suit. “Expanding Plant Bowen’s gas capacity will increase air pollution and impact millions of Georgians. We all deserve breathable air and this project should not move forward as permitted.”