GRP Watchdog Group Releases Results of Noise Survey

Georgia Renewable Power in Colbert may not be burning creosote-coated railroad ties anymore but the effects of what they are burning continues to have an effect on those living near their plant.

On Monday, a citizen watchdog group, Madison County Clean Power Coalition, released the results of its noise survey at a press conference Monday afternoon.

The survey was conducted in January and February of this year.

The group asked citizens to fill out an online survey published in the Madison County Journal and via direct mail sent to residents within in a three-mile radius of Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) plant near Colbert, GA.

165 residents living near the plant responded.

Among the questions asked included where respondents lived in relation to the GRP plant, when they were at home, and how the noise from the plant affected them.

Leanne Jones, an ally of the Madison County Clean Coalition said the results showed that many of those responding are adversely affected by the noise coming from the GRP plant – mainly overnight.

MCCC president Gina Ward said there are a number of different loud noises coming from the plant from the release of steam to noise from running the turbines.

Jones said many of the respondents are home all day said the noise has hurt their right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes.

Drago Trasanovich said they hope to be able to meet with the County and GRP to work out a noise ordinance or a solution to the noise problem.