GEORGIA POWER HIGH BILLS ARE SHOCKING RATEPAYERS
Between January 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024 the Georgia Public Service Commission increased electric bills an unprecedented 30.8%
Georgia Power electricity consumers are shocked and outraged over their summer electric bills that began arriving in June showing increases of 31% over last summer’s electricity bills.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | bill increase of 2.6% from 2022 rate case proceeding (Dec. 2022) |
| June 1, 2023 | bill increase of 12.7% from fuel cost recovery proceeding (May 2023)* |
| August 1, 2023 | bill increase of 4.8% for Vogtle reactor 3 (2017)* |
| January 1, 2024 | bill increase of 4.5% from 2022 rate case (Dec. 2022) |
| May 1, 2024 | bill increase of 6.2% for Vogtle reactor 4 (Dec. 2023)* |
- TOTAL BILL IMPACTS: 30.8% -
| Average Georgia Power bill | March 2023 | June 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (October - May) | $160.18 | $208.29 |
| Summer (June - September) | $180.95 | $234.29 |
In addition to these unprecedented rate increases Georgia Power has these harmful billing practices:
Georgia Power, possibly the only company in the U.S., does not prorate. If even one day of usage in the May billing cycle, considered a winter rate month, crossed into June, when higher summer rates apply, ALL of May’s usage was billed at higher summer rates, delivering tens of millions of dollars in extra revenue for the utility.
Summer rates are double winter rates, and that rate information is not displayed on the bill.
Summer rates are tiered, and as each tier is crossed a higher rate kicks in. Tiers are structured so that the average electricity bill hits even the highest tier. Customers cannot see and do not know what their rates or even that there are tiers so they are unable to manage their bills.
Georgia Power is authorized to collect a residential a monthly service charge of $14, but about six years ago Georgia Power began assessing the service charge at a daily rate of .4603 $/day because there are more months with 31 days than 30 days. This brings in more revenue for the utility and results in higher costs for customers. This information is not visible on the bill.
The Georgia Public Service Commission does not provide information on how rate increases are impacting bills, leaving up to reporters to figure it out or ask Georgia Power, who does not want the public to know how much the billions of rate increases they seek will raise bills. Thus, this information is not available.
Georgia Power earns higher profits than any other utility in the country. The regulatory agency that rewards the utility with these big profits thinks that is justified because of superior service. But Georgia Power’s service is no better than any other utility provider.