(The Center Square) – The Georgia Public Service Commission on Thursday approved two Georgia Power requests that the utility company said would lower electric bills by just over $4 a month.
Agreements reached earlier this month by the commission and Georgia Power allow the utility to recover fuel costs from its power plants and address recovery costs related to Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Georgia Power reduced its original fuel balance request by $13 million and shaved off $100 million from its storm recovery request, according to the agreement.
Commissioner Peter Hubbard introduced a change to the fuel cost recovery agreement that would include an examination of transportation costs, the efficiency of the natural gas hedging program and coal dispatch. The amendment was defeated 3-2.
The commission voted along party lines with Republican members Jason Shaw, Tricia Pridemore and Bubba McDonald voting yes, and Democrats Hubbard and Alicia Johnson voting no.
“Today’s vote by the Georgia PSC will bring lower rates and real savings for Georgia families and businesses as the heat of summer begins and energy use increases, which can lead to higher bills,” said Tyler Cook, CFO and treasurer for Georgia Power.
Environmental groups had different views on the agreement.
“While the roughly $4 reduction to the average monthly bill is better than Georgia Power’s original proposal, today’s decision still leaves major accountability issues unresolved,” said Patrick King II, policy advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “This decision largely preserves a system where nearly all fuel costs are passed directly onto customers. But this docket also exposes growing concerns that not all customers are carrying those costs equally.”
Georgia Power said customers would begin to see the reductions in June.