According to Georgia Power, one of the factors in its decision to issue the 2015 RFP, is the potential for new regulations expected to be proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2011.
These regulations are expected to set new emission limits on mercury and other hazardous air pollutants and may require additional emission controls on Georgia Power’s coal units.
While no retirement decisions have been made, the company is issuing the RFP to ensure a reliable and economic supply of electricity in the event that new environmental regulations lead the company to consider retirement of some coal units by 2015.
The power supply proposals may be for five-, 10- or 15-year contracts. In addition to traditional power purchase agreements, Georgia Power will also accept asset purchase and sale agreement proposals, or the purchase of an existing generating asset already in commercial operation. The company may also develop one or more self-build proposals in order to meet some or all of the identified need.
Georgia Power is a subsidiary of Southern Company and serves approximately 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.
