The Board of Cobb EMC is cutting funding for 2 new coal-fired power plants in Middle Georgia. But developers of the plants say they plan to keep going forward.

Cobb was one of five Electric Membership Cooperatives funding the Plant Washington in Sandersville and Plant Ben Hill in Fitzgerald. Snapping Shoals, Central Georgia, Upson and Washington EMC’s still support them.

Power4Georgians Dean Alford says that means they still have over 60 percent of the money they need, and they plan to announce additional investors in the coming weeks.

“Projects of significance and that have controversy; they take time by their nature. And so none of our coop members are the least bit shocked or surprised, or disappointed. It is the nature of a project of this significance.”

Environmentalists who are challenging Plant Washington’s air permit are calling Cobb’s decision great news. A month ago plans for a third South Georgia coal plant were scrapped.

Tags: Plant Washington, Power4Georgians, electric membership cooperatives, Cobb EMC, coal fired power plant