Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives.

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Our research and public education work are made possible by tax-deductible contributions from generous citizens and foundations.

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Plug in to clean energy

Over 40 percent of the energy consumed in America goes to heat, cool and power our homes and businesses — and it creates nearly half of our greenhouse gas emissions. You can plug in to clean energy, and save a buck while you’re at it.

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Our Latest Report

Georgia's Biggest Mercury Polluters

Power plants continue to release large amounts of toxic pollutants, including mercury, into our air. In 2010, two-thirds of all airborne mercury pollution in the United States came from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants. In other words, power plants generate more airborne mercury pollution than all other industrial sources combined.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxicant. Mercury exposure during critical periods of brain development can contribute to irreversible deficits in verbal skills, damage to attention and motor control, and reduced IQ.

In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the first national standards limiting mercury and other toxic air pollution from existing coal- and oil-fired power plants. Implementing these standards will protect public health.

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News Release | Environment Georgia

A Frightening Halloween for the Chattahoochee River

> Keep Reading

News Release | Environment Georgia

REPORT: Offshore Wind is Next Clean Energy Wave for Georgia

> Keep Reading

News Release | Environment Georgia

President's Oil Spill Commission Report Reinforces Need to Protect Georgia's Coasts

Atlanta, GA — Today President Obama’s Oil Spill Commission released its final report on the causes of the Gulf disaster with detailed recommendations for avoiding future catastrophes.

News Release | Environment Georgia

New Data Shows Georgia Power Plants Emit 1,154 Pounds of Mercury--23rd Most Nationally

Atlanta, GA –Georgia’s power plants still release over 1,154 pounds of mercury, according to brand new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data outlined in Environment Georgia latest report, Georgia’s Biggest Mercury Polluters. Even a small drop of mercury is enough to make the fish in a 25-acre lake unsafe to eat.

News Release | Environment Georgia

President Obama & EPA Protect Public Health, Announce Landmark Mercury Standard for Power Plants

Atlanta, GA – Today, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever nationwide standard for mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants. A record 907,000 Americans submitted comments on the standard, which is expected to cut toxic mercury pollution from power plants by 90 percent.

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News Release | Environment Georgia

A Frightening Halloween for the Chattahoochee River

> Keep Reading

News Release | Environment Georgia

REPORT: Offshore Wind is Next Clean Energy Wave for Georgia

> Keep Reading

News Release | Environment Georgia

President's Oil Spill Commission Report Reinforces Need to Protect Georgia's Coasts

Atlanta, GA — Today President Obama’s Oil Spill Commission released its final report on the causes of the Gulf disaster with detailed recommendations for avoiding future catastrophes.

News Release | Environment Georgia

New Data Shows Georgia Power Plants Emit 1,154 Pounds of Mercury--23rd Most Nationally

Atlanta, GA –Georgia’s power plants still release over 1,154 pounds of mercury, according to brand new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data outlined in Environment Georgia latest report, Georgia’s Biggest Mercury Polluters. Even a small drop of mercury is enough to make the fish in a 25-acre lake unsafe to eat.

News Release | Environment Georgia

President Obama & EPA Protect Public Health, Announce Landmark Mercury Standard for Power Plants

Atlanta, GA – Today, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever nationwide standard for mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants. A record 907,000 Americans submitted comments on the standard, which is expected to cut toxic mercury pollution from power plants by 90 percent.

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Report | Environment Georgia

Plug-In Cars

America’s current fleet of gasoline-powered cars and trucks leaves us dependent on oil, contributes to air pollution problems that threaten our health, and produces large amounts of global warming pollution. “Plug-in” cars are emerging as an effective way to lower global warming emissions, oil use, and smog. A “plug-in” car is one that can be recharged from the electric grid. Some plug-in cars run on electricity alone, while others are paired with small gasoline engines to create plug-in hybrids.

Report | Environment Georgia

Green and Shovel Ready

Georgia’s reliance on dirty energy is fueling global warming, harming our health, threatening our security, and stalling our economy. Burning coal, oil and gas for energy and transportation is responsible for 80 percent of U.S. global warming pollution and most of our smog and soot pollution.

Report | Environment Georgia

Building a Better Future

America is the largest consumer of energy in the world. The majority of this energy is derived from dirty, polluting sources such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power. Our consumption of these fuels exacerbates global warming, keeps us dependent upon oil and other fossil fuels, and undermines our economy.

Report | Environment Georgia

The Nuclear Bailout

In February 2010, the Obama administration announced that it would help finance two new nuclear reactors at the Vogtle nuclear power station in Georgia, offering an $8.33 billion loan guarantee to Georgia Power (a subsidiary of Southern Company) and two other companies invested in the project. President Obama claimed that the investment was necessary to create clean energy jobs, stimulate our economy to export homegrown technology instead of importing foreign oil, and secure the future of our planet and our civilization by fighting the growing threat of global warming.

Report | Environment Georgia

Preserving America's Natural Heritage

America’s open spaces are an integral part of our national identity. Our natural landscapes not only provide us with places of great beauty, but they also play a critical role in providing habitat for wildlife along with clean water, fresh air and recreational opportunities for Americans.

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Research & Policy Results

At 54.5 mpg, a big step forward.

Americans will consume less oil, create less smog and cut our global warming emissions, thanks to Clean Cars rules we helped implement in 14 states. Those state victories paved the way for President Obama to announce new nationwide clean car standards in 2011, which amount to the single biggest step this country has taken to end our addiction to oil and tackle global warming.

Bringing transit to Atlanta

In October 2011, the Atlanta Regional Roundtable voted for a list of transportation projects that will spend over $3.2 billion on transit projects, once approved by voters.

Preserving Georgia's Wild Rivers

From the running headwaters of rivers like the Chattahoochee to the marshes of the Okefenokee, our staff is working to protect Georgia's pristine waters with the highest level of protection available. To start, we've petitioned for an "outstanding" designation for the Conasauga.

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Building a greener future

Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center gratefully accept bequests, beneficiary designations of IRAs and life insurance, and gifts of securities to support our work. Your gift will assure that we can continue to protect Georgia’s air, water and open spaces for future generations.

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Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center works closely with Environment Georgia, a 501(c)(4) organization. Click here to visit the Environment Georgia website.