The possible coal plant would be built in Early County. That's about three hours from here, but environmentalists say the Valdosta community would feel some negative effects.

New Jersey based power company LS Power is moving ahead with plans to build the Peach State's first coal power plant in 20 years. This has area environmentalists asking for help.

"And we're asking the governor and the EPD to act in the best interest of our children when making decisions that are going to impact their health and well being," said Leah Edwars, who feels the power plant should not be built.

Environmentalists say the power plant would emit almost nine million tons of carbon monoxide into the air. They say that's the equivalent of 1.3 million cars and trucks driving on Georgia roads.

"If you look where the pollution will spread out, some of the pollution will make its way here, and number one, one pollutant that will make its way here is mercury. It goes up into the air and deposited into our water," said Jennette Gayer, who is against the power plant.

Activists say those pollutants can travel the almost 130 miles to Lowndes County, but the project manager with LS Power says they're working to prevent as much pollution as they can.

Michael Vogt said, "We are going to make the facility as clean as possible with all the modern technology available. We will spend $400 million on pollution control devices."

He says the plant will bring about 130 jobs to the area, but opposing groups say an ethanol plant would bring both energy and jobs to the area without the pollution.