by Dave Williams | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – Georgia energy regulators have signed off on a 3.5% rate increase for customers of Georgia Power.
Members of the state Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved the increase Tuesday, which will raise average residential customer bills by $5.48 per month.
The rate hike is the latest of a series of increases the PSC has granted Georgia Power during the last couple of years that have raised monthly bills by more than $40.
Two of those rate hikes were associated with the completion of two new nuclear reactors at Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle. The second of those new units went into full commercial operation last spring.
Another rate increase the commission approved in May of last year was to help offset rising fuel costs.
While Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald voted for the latest rate increase, he questioned the timing of Georgia Power’s request, just as inflated food and gasoline prices are beginning to come down.
“We need (to do) everything we can to hold down rate increases … and give America a chance to breathe again,” McDonald said when the proposed rate hike came before the PSC’s Energy Committee last week.
Brandon Marzo, a lawyer representing Georgia Power, told commissioners the Atlanta-based utility sympathizes with McDonald’s position but that the rate hike is necessary.
“The investments related to this … are being made and have been made,” Marzo said.
The rate increase will take effect Jan. 1.
