Georgia’s Dependence on Imported Coal

In 2008, Georgia was the highest spender on net coal imports in the United States, sending $2.62 billion out of state. The state's electricity generation relied on coal for 62.7% of its power despite having no internal coal supplies. The document argues that investing in energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as biomass from the forestry industry, solar, and wind, could improve energy independence and local economic development.

• In 2008, Georgia spent more on total net coal imports than any other U.S. state, totaling $2.62 billion. The state's dependence is further highlighted by the fact that it spent the second most on net imports per person ($270) and the third most relative to gross state product (0.66 percent).
• Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is the primary driver of these imports, purchasing nearly all of the state's imported coal at a cost of $2.56 billion. Specifically, the Bowen plant in Euharlee spent $706 million on coal imports, the highest amount of any single facility in the U.S., and is the third-largest source of carbon dioxide emissions among coal plants nationwide.
• Despite having no internal coal supplies, coal provided 62.7% of Georgia's in-state electricity generation in 2008. The state is the 7th most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use, at 65 percent.
• Georgia has significant untapped renewable energy potential that could technically meet at least 84% of its 2008 power demand. This includes solar power, small-scale hydropower, offshore wind power, and sustainable biomass from the forestry industry. However, some biomass is currently exported; for example, a plant in Waycross expected to be completed in 2011 will produce 750,000 tons of wood pellets annually for export to Europe.
• Energy efficiency is presented as a highly cost-effective alternative to coal imports. In 2007, Georgia spent only 50 cents per person on ratepayer-funded efficiency programs, which is approximately 540 times less than its spending on imported coal. A 1% annual reduction in electricity use could save consumers $79 million and prevent $41 million from leaving the state in the first year.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2010). Georgia’s Dependence on Imported Coal. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Georgia.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Georgia’s Dependence on Imported Coal. 2010. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Georgia.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Georgia’s Dependence on Imported Coal |date=May 2010 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Georgia.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2010georgias, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Georgia’s Dependence on Imported Coal}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2010}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Georgia.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }