Alabama Governor Bob Riley is calling for a new round of negotiations in the ongoing tri-state water dispute.

Georgia’s two U.S. Senators are also urging the three states to renew talks.

In the next three years, Georgia has to get Congressional approval if metro Atlanta is going to continue drawing water from Lake Lanier. And with that court imposed deadline approaching, Florida and Alabama have signaled they are eager to begin new water talks.

The week after the ruling, Governor Sonny Perdue stated he would consider new talks, but that he would also fight to the death to keep the water.

Florida and Alabama officials have acknowledged they have a stronger hand in any potential negotiations since the court ruling.

Alabama has been flexing that new found negotiating muscle, with officials publicly demanding Georgia Power step aside from the issue. The utility company has a major stake in the outcome, and has played a significant role, in previous negotiations.

Tags: Metro Atlanta, Atlanta, Senator, Florida, Georgia Power, governor, Sonny Perdue, Congress, Alabama, water, Lake Lanier, tri-state water dispute, Bob Riley