Georgia Power energy negotiations; New BioLab report; Non-opioid painkiller approved

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Peter Biello

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1. Georgia Power’s Energy Negotiations

Overview:
Georgia Power has initiated state-mandated negotiations to determine how it will generate electricity over the next decade. With an anticipated 25% increase in energy demand by 2030, driven primarily by the growth of data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations, Georgia Power proposes to extend coal generation and introduce new fossil gas power plants to meet this surge.

Key Points:

• Energy Demand Growth: Georgia Power forecasts a significant rise in energy needs, attributing much of the increase to technological advancements and emerging industries.
• Proposed Solutions: To address the demand, the utility plans to delay the phase-out of coal and invest in additional fossil fuel infrastructure.
• Expert Testimony: Public Service Commission (PSC) staff experts argue that Georgia Power’s projections may be overstated. This disagreement was highlighted during hearings, showcasing conflicting views between the utility's attorney, Brendan Martzow, and PSC expert Karen Pol.

Notable Quotes:

• Brendan Martzow: "If your recommendation is adopted and the company doesn't have capacity enough to reliably serve load, you are all but assuring an economic slowdown for Georgians, correct? That seems speculative." (01:41)

Additional Information:
The negotiations coincide with elections for two Public Service Commission seats, adding political stakes to the discussions. Grant Blankenship from GPB News provided comprehensive coverage of these developments (00:53).

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2. Investigation into Biolab’s Chemical Fire

Overview:
Federal investigators have released a second update on last year's chemical fire at Biolab in Conyers, uncovering alarming details about the facility's chemical storage practices.

Key Points:

• Excessive Chemical Storage: Biolab stored nearly 14 million pounds of reactive chemicals, more than double their initial plans, with almost 3 million pounds improperly stored outside designated areas.
• Fire Spread: A firewall failure facilitated the fire's expansion throughout the warehouse, with corrosion found on a sprinkler pipe near the fire's origin.
• Operational Changes: Following the incident, Biolab ceased manufacturing operations in Conyers but continues to function as a distribution site.

Notable Quotes:

• Brendan Martzow: "In its second update released Friday, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board says Biolab was storing nearly 14 million pounds of reactive chemicals, more than double what the company originally planned for the facility." (02:13)

Conclusion:
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, and Biolab has not commented publicly on the findings (02:13).

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3. Impact of US House Budget Bill on Georgia

Overview:
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute highlights that the recent US House budget bill will compel Georgia to either address Medicaid funding cuts or reconsider its coverage parameters, potentially affecting hospitals and exacerbating food insecurity in the state.

Key Points:

• Medicaid Cuts: The budget bill may reduce Medicaid funding, forcing the state to make difficult decisions regarding healthcare coverage.
• Hospital Strain: Financially strained hospitals, particularly in rural areas, may face increased challenges in delivering services.
• Food Insecurity: The bill's implications extend to social services, potentially worsening food scarcity issues across Georgia.

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4. Resignation of Officer Leslie O’Neill

Overview:
Leslie O'Neill, a Dalton Police Department officer, resigned following public outcry over his arrest of a Northwest Georgia college student, Ximena Arias Cristobal, for an immigration-related detention triggered by a traffic violation.

Key Points:

• Incident Details: O'Neill mistakenly pulled over Cristobal for a traffic violation, leading to her over two weeks in a federal detention center.
• Resignation Statement: In his resignation letter, O'Neill criticized the Dalton Police Department for inadequate support during the incident.

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5. FDA Approves New Non-Opioid Painkiller: Jornavix

Overview:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jornavix, a groundbreaking non-opioid painkiller designed to alleviate pain without the risk of addiction.

Key Points:

• Mechanism of Action: Jornavix blocks pain signals from reaching the brain by targeting nerves in the peripheral nervous system, addressing pain at its source rather than merely dampening the sensation.
• Clinical Insights: Dr. Jessica McCown, involved in the drug’s clinical trials, emphasized its non-habit-forming nature and its effectiveness in managing acute pain from accidents, surgeries, and injuries.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Jessica McCown: "So there's no habit forming potential. This actually gets to the root cause of the pain versus just decreasing what your body is feeling of the pain." (00:43)
• Dr. Jessica McCown: "The brain, so there's no habit forming potential. So this actually gets to the root cause of the pain and stops the potentiation there versus just decreasing what your body is feeling of the pain." (04:29)
• Dr. Jessica McCown: "More and more people are being affected by these types of events, so we're going to have to continue to invest and try to mitigate the effects of these exposures." (06:16)

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6. Inductions into the Fallen Heroes Memorial

Overview:
Two service members were honored at the Fallen Heroes Memorial in Gwinnett, paying tribute to their lives and sacrifices.

Key Points:

• Honorees:
  • Specialist Travis Jordan Pameni: Deceased in a non-combat-related incident in Baghdad last July.
  • Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara: Lost his life in a helicopter crash during a training mission near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January.
• Memorial Location: The monument is situated at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville, serving as a site for remembrance.

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7. Remembering George Floyd: Conyers Prayer Vigil

Overview:
Hundreds gathered in Conyers, east of Atlanta, to commemorate the anniversary of George Floyd's death, marking the ongoing impact of his legacy.

Key Points:

• Event Leadership: DeKalb County Pastor Jamal Bryant led a prayer vigil outside a Target store.
• Context: The gathering coincided with critiques of Target's reversal of its diversity programs in January, with Pastor Bryant actively campaigning against the company.
• George Floyd’s Legacy: The vigil was part of broader global observances remembering Floyd, whose final words, "I can't breathe," continue to resonate as a call for justice and equality.

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8. Heat Waves Pose Increased Risks for Pregnant Women

Overview:
A new study conducted by Dr. Lindsey Darrow, an epidemiologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, indicates that pregnant women are at heightened risk of complications during heat waves.

Key Points:

• Study Findings: Exposure to extreme heat increases the likelihood of preterm labor, especially among older, lower-income pregnant women residing in urban areas.
• Climate Change Implications: Dr. Darrow warns that as the climate continues to warm, the frequency and severity of heat waves may exacerbate these health risks.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Lindsey Darrow: "Extreme heat is more likely to affect pregnant women who are older, poorer or who live in urban centers." (06:16)
• Dr. Jessica McCown: "More and more people are being affected by these types of events, so we're going to have to continue to invest and try to mitigate the effects of these exposures." (06:16)

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9. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Introduces Weekly Water Quality Reports

Overview:
To ensure the safety of swimmers during the summer months, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper will publish weekly water quality reports assessing E. Coli levels in various swimming locations.

Key Points:

• Reporting Schedule: Water samples will be collected and analyzed every Thursday.
• Access to Information: Results will be available on maps at theswimguide.org and shared via Facebook and Instagram.
• Risk Indicators: Locations with low E. Coli risks will be marked with green check marks, while those with high risks will feature red X's.

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10. Crisp County Warns of Imposter Scams

Overview:
Residents of Crisp County are cautioned against imposter scams where fraudsters pose as officials from the Crisp County Sheriff's Office using genuine employee names sourced from the department’s website.

Key Points:

• Scam Methods: These imposters may contact victims via phone, email, text, or social media.
• Official Stance: The Sheriff's Office has clarified that they will never request fines or payments over the phone.

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11. Tax Rebates for Georgia Taxpayers

Overview:
Georgia taxpayers can expect to receive rebates from a tax relief package signed into law this year, with initial refunds scheduled to be deposited next week.

Key Points:

• Rebate Amounts: House Bill 112 provides one-time rebates ranging from $250 to $500, depending on the individual's filing status.
• Funding Source: The rebates are enabled by the state’s $16 billion budget surplus.

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12. Sports Updates: Braves and Atlanta Dream

Overview:
Recent developments in Georgia sports include the Atlanta Braves' roster changes and the Atlanta Dream's performance in the WNBA.

Key Points:

• Atlanta Braves:

  • Orlando Arcia Release: The Braves released shortstop Orlando Arcia, an All-Star, amid efforts to make room for right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who is returning from a year-long leg injury.
  • Potential Move: Arcia is reportedly close to signing with the Colorado Rockies, though this has not been officially confirmed by MLB.com.
  • Upcoming Games: The Braves are set to open a three-game series against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

• Atlanta Dream:

  • Recent Victory: The Dream secured a win against the Connecticut Sun, improving their record to 32-...
  • Current Standings: Facing the Los Angeles Sparks in California, the team aims to bolster their standings in the league.

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Conclusion:
Today's episode of Georgia Today covered a diverse array of topics, from energy negotiations and public safety to healthcare innovations and community memorials. The discussions provided listeners with in-depth insights into issues impacting Georgia residents, underscored by expert opinions and firsthand accounts.

For more detailed information on any of these stories, visit GPB News.

Transcript

[DBHDD Representative]

DBHDD has an urgent warning for all Georgians. One of every ten counterfeit pills contains fentanyl, a powerful and very deadly drug. Pills from friends or dealers are unsafe and one pill can cause an overdose. More [e-mail].

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia Power pushes more fossil fuel use to accommodate data center growth. Investigators highlight the disturbing ways Biolab was storing dangerous chemicals and a new painkiller could help patients avoid addiction to opioids.

[Dr. Jessica McCown]

So there's no habit forming potential. This actually gets to the root cause of the pain versus just decreasing what your body is feeling of the pain.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, May 27th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. State mandated negotiations over how Georgia Power will generate electricity over the next decade have begun, GPB's Grant Blankenship explains.

[Grant Blankenship]

Georgia Power expects 25% more energy demand by 2030 as compared to the last integrated resource plan approved by Georgia's Public Service Commission. That's due to data centers and cryptocurrency mines. The utility proposes to power those in part by postponing the end of coal generation and adding new fossil gas power plants. But expert testimony from the Public Service Commission staff said the predictions are exaggerated, leading to this exchange between attorney for Georgia Power Brendan Martzow and PSC staff expert Karen Pol.

[Brendan Martzow]

If your recommendation is adopted and the company doesn't have capacity enough to reliably serve Lode, you are all but assuring an economic slowdown for Georgians, correct? That seems speculative.

[Grant Blankenship]

The hearings also coincide with the start of voting in two Public Service commissioned seats for GPB News. I'm Grant Blankenship.

[Peter Biello]

Federal investigators are calling last year's chemical fire at Biolab in Conyers disturbing as new details from the investigation emerge. GPB's Pamela Kirkland reports.

[Brendan Martzow]

In its second update released Friday, the U.S. chemical Safety Board says Biolab was storing nearly 14 million pounds of reactive chemicals, more than double what the company originally planned for the facility. Almost 3 million pounds of those chemicals were stored outside designated areas. The report also notes that a firewall failed, allowing the fire to spread through more of the warehouse. The CSB says it found corrosion on a sprinkler pipe near where the fire likely began. The exact cause is still under investigation. Earlier this month, Biolab announced it would not resume manufacturing in Conyers, though it will continue to operate as a distribution site. The company has not responded to a request for comment For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[Peter Biello]

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute says the big budget bill passed in the US House last week will force Georgia either to pick up the tab for Medicaid cuts or make hard choices about who and what Medicaid covers. The group's analysis published today, says the federal budget package now being negotiated with the US Senate threatens financially strained hospitals, especially in rural Georgia. The institute also addressed the bill's impact on food insecurity in the state. The police officer who arrested a Northwest Georgia college student whose immigration related detention sparked outrage this month has resigned. In his resignation letter posted to social media, Leslie o' Neill accuses the Dalton Police Department of not adequately defending him. O' Neill pulled over Ximena Arias Cristobal for a traffic violation by mistake. That encounter led the 19 year old to spend more than two weeks in a federal detention center. A new painkiller could offer patients a way to avoid potentially lethal addiction to opioids. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug called Journavix, which blocks pain signals from getting to the brain. When someone experiences pain, the signal travels from the peripheral nervous system to the brain for processing opioids manage pain by blocking pain receptors. Dr. Jessica McCown worked on the drug's clinical trial. She says Jornavix works on nerves outside.

[Dr. Jessica McCown]

The brain, so there's no habit forming potential. So this actually gets to the root cause of the pain and stops the potentiation there versus just decreasing what your body is feeling of the pain.

[Ellen Eldredge]

McCown says this is a breakthrough for pain related to accidents, surgeries or other acute injuries. For For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Peter Biello]

Two service members were inducted yesterday into the Fallen Heroes Memorial in Gwinnett. U.S. army National Guard Specialist Travis Jordan Pameni died last July in a non combat related incident in Baghdad. And Army Staff sergeant Ryan Austin o' Hara died in a helicopter crash during a training mission near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January. Their names were inscribed in the monument that stands on the grounds of the Gwinnett justice and Administration center in Lawrencevill. Hundreds of people gathered in Conyers, east of Atlanta over the weekend to remember George Floyd. On the anniversary of his death, DeKalb County Pastor Jamal Bryant led a prayer vigil in front of a Target store. Bryant has campaigned against Target since the company rolled back its diversity programs in January. The company defends its commitment to a welcoming environment. The gathering was among many across the Globe Remembering the 2020 police killing of Floyd, a black Minneapolis man whose last words, I I can't breathe became a rallying cry. A new study suggests pregnant women face higher risks of complications if they're exposed to heat waves. Dr. Lindsey Darrow is an epidemiologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the lead author of the study on heat waves and preterm labor. She says extreme heat is more likely to affect pregnant women who are older, poorer or who live in urban centers.

[Dr. Jessica McCown]

More and more people are being affected by by these types of events, so we're going to have to continue to invest and try to mitigate the effects of these exposures.

[Peter Biello]

She notes that as climate changes, more severe heat events could make the problem worse. To help swimmers pick safe spots to take a dip, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says it's going to publish weekly water quality reports throughout the summer. The Riverkeeper says every Thursday they will collect and analyze water samples for E. Coli bacteria. The they'll then report what they find on maps on theswimguide.org as well as Facebook and Instagram. The maps will include swimming spots throughout Lake Lanier, Metro Atlanta, West Point Lake and Columbus. Green check marks will indicate a low risk of E. Coli and red X's will indicate a high risk of E. Coli contamination.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Planet Money Host]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Brendan Martzow]

Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money, and.

[Planet Money Host]

We dig until we get answers.

[Grant Blankenship]

I had a bad feeling you're going to bring that up.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money finds out, all you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.

[Peter Biello]

South Georgia's Crisp county is warning residents of an imposter scam. The sheriff's office says scammers are pretending to be employees of the Crisp County Sheriff's Office using real employee names pulled from their website. Imposter scams can occur over the phone, email, text or social media. The sheriff's office says their office will not ask residents to pay a fine of any kind over the phone. Georgia taxpayers can expect rebates from a tax relief package signed into law this year to start dropping into accounts starting next week. The state Department of Revenue says the first batch of refunds will be deposited early next week for timely filers. House Bill 112 passed unanimously and gives one time rebates of between $250 and $500, depending on filing status. It was made possible by the state having a $16 billion budget surplus. In sports Days after the Braves released shortstop Orlando Arcia, the former All Star is reportedly finalizing a deal to join the Colorado Rockies, MLB.com reports the team has not confirmed the news. The Braves released Arcia after he was designated for assignment to make room for right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Who was returning from nearly a year away as he recovered from a leg injury. Though defensively, Arcia has been on point, he's been a weak spot in a lineup that generally has struggled in the first two months of the season. The Braves open a three game series against the Phillies in Philadelphia tonight. And in basketball, the Atlanta Dream faced the Los Angeles Sparks in California tonight. The Dream beat the Connecticut State sun on Sunday to give them a 32 record. That's a wrap. We hope you had a great long weekend. Thank you for coming back to the news here on Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out gpb.org news and we'll be back again tomorrow afternoon. So make sure you subscribe to this podcast. Your feedback is what powers us, so let us know what we're doing right and what we can improve. The email address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Planet Money Host]

We show you how money influences everything.

[Brendan Martzow]

Tell me what you like, by the way, telling me how you spend your money.

[Planet Money Host]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Grant Blankenship]

I had a bad feeling you're gonna bring that up.

[Planet Money Host]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.