Dalton approves bonds for new power plant

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) – Dalton leaders have approved the financing to allow Dalton Utilities to build a new power plant.

Specifically, the council approved a bond plan to finance the project by the city-owned utility.

They want to build a 56.8 megawatt natural gas-powered plant.

The final debt deal should be ready in either April or May.

The plant will allow Dalton Utilities to make some of their own electricity instead of buying all from others.

Council member Dennis Mock asked if the plant was a hedge to help power data centers in the area.

DU CEO John Thomas said it was not.

We’ve been very transparent with our data center customers that we’re not going to invest long-term in infrastructure like this, to serve them,” Thomas said. “That’s going to be an investment they’re going to have to be a partner in… this (plant) is going to support capacity that we use to serve residential, commercial, and industrial customers.”

Thomas says the power plant construction will not raise rates for customers.