Georgia Power Wants Rate Increase; Public Hearing To Be Held

by Steve Burns (Editor) 

Customers of Georgia Power, take note. The company is requesting a rate increase.

According to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) website, the utility that serves many residential customers in Gwinnett County wants to charge higher rates beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

And the public will have a chance soon to speak on the proposed increase. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. The hearing will be at 244 Washington Street SW in Atlanta. The PSC will hear from additional public "witnesses" beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Georgia Power is requesting an increase that would mean about a $4.55 monthly increase for the average residential customer that uses1,000 kilowatt-hours per month. This traditional request would allow Georgia Power to apply for future increases.

An alternate, one-time request, if approved, would mean about a $7.84 monthly increase for the average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

Georgia Power's rates last were increased in December 2010, the PSC statement said.

The commission is scheduled to rule on the latest request on Dec. 17.

-- Are you a Georgia Power customer? How would this rate increase affect you? Tell us in the comments below.