ÐÔÊӽ紫ý

Georgia Power has increased its customer rates three times in the last six years and has been criticized by consumer watchdog groups and environmental advocates for doing so.

The state Senate considered legislation during this year's General Assembly session to prohibit the company from passing on the costs of providing electricity to the giant power-hungry data centers cropping up across Georgia. But the bill didn't make it through the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, as opponents argued the PSC already had taken that step by passing a new rule earlier this year.

“We feel like this agreement helps ensure that all of our customers can realize the benefits of this growth that's coming,� Georgia Power spokesman Jacob Hawkins said Monday, May 19.

But the Southern Environmental Law Center cried foul over the agreement. Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney in the group's Atlanta office, pointed to a provision in the agreement that exempts “reasonable and prudent� costs incurred from storm damage from the rate freeze. That would include the massive damage Hurricane Helene wreaked on Georgia Power's system last September.

Whitfield criticized the PSC for waiving the public hearings that would have taken place after Georgia Power filed its rate case. The hearings would have dealt with issues including the costs of storm damage and the impact of the rapidly growing number of data centers sucking up power.

Whitfield predicted those rising costs will force customer bills higher as early as next May.

“Commission staff has given away our hard-fought relief from data centers,� she said. “Make no mistake: Bills for residential and small business customers will rise under this agreement.�

Under the agreement, the PSC would consider any storm damage costs Georgia Power incurs in a separate regulatory proceeding.

The commission must vote on the agreement by July 1. Otherwise, Georgia Power would move forward with its rate case.