Georgia Public Service Commission To Begin Consideration of Georgia Power’s Proposed Bill Hike Next Monday
Advocacy groups host rally and urge the Public Service Commission to reject anti-consumer fee hike
Atlanta, Ga. — The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) will start receiving testimony next week in the first of three PSC hearings about Georgia Power’s proposed bill hike. Beginning Monday morning, Georgia Power will present its proposal and take questions from the PSC and intervening groups. The PSC will take public comments on Monday morning as well and will conclude the hearing on Wednesday.
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 30, 9 AM
WHERE: Georgia Public Service Commission, 244 Washington Street, SW, Atlanta GA, 30334
LIVESTREAM: https://livestream.com/psc
IN-PERSON MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Hearing, 8:45 AM – 4 PM and Rally, 4PM – 6 PM
Georgia Power’s proposal is set to impact millions of customers throughout the state with higher bills through a combination of higher rates and a higher mandatory monthly fee. A diverse coalition of groups representing consumer, business, equity, and environmental interests have proclaimed opposition to the fee hike, pointing out that shifting more of the bill into mandatory fees results in:
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Customers’ loss of some of their ability to control their energy costs by using less energy
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Equity issues since customers who use the least amount of energy would be burdened with the largest negative proportional economic impacts— often seniors and working families earning lower incomes
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Environmental setbacks since the dampened economic incentive to reduce energy use, means discouraging energy conservation, energy efficiency, and customer-owned solar
The groups encourage Georgia Power customers to learn more and speak up against the fee hike at NoFeeHike.com.
Groups will rally to show opposition to the fee hike on Monday afternoon across the street from the PSC from 4 to 6 PM. More information about the rally here.
The PSC, tasked with ensuring reasonable electric rates for customers, will take the testimony presented at the hearing next week, as well as at the hearings scheduled for November and give a final determination by mid-December on if and how much of Georgia Power’s request will be granted.
Additional Background:
Learn more about the proposed fee hike here.
View the rate case filing at docket #42516 on the PSC’s website.
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.
About Environment Georgia
Environment Georgia works statewide to protect Georgia’s air, water and green spaces. www.environmentgeorgia.org
About Partnership for Southern Equity
The Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that advances policies and institutional actions that promote racial equity and shared prosperity for all in the growth of metropolitan Atlanta and the American South through an ecosystem-based model for multi-demographic engagement. www.psequity.org
About The Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About Georgia Conservation Voters
Georgia Conservation Voters’ mission is to advocate for public policies that advance a more just and sustainable future, campaign for candidates who will make climate and environmental justice a priority, and hold elected officials accountable for their actions and votes. For more information, visit www.gaconservationvoters.org