PSC staff warn Georgia Power’s expansion plan could raise bills for consumers

Two separate reports submitted to the Georgia Public Service Commission found that Georgia Power’s request to expand its capacity could harm consumers.

Professional staff for the PSC submitted written testimony Nov. 12 that said the expansion could require $3.5 billion in new revenue by 2030, which would result in about $20 a month for the average household consumer.

Georgia Power requested an unprecedented 10,000 megawatt increase in capacity largely due to the increased load of data centers.

“If the market shifts or the Company’s forecasted large load does not materialize, the Company will still seek to recover those costs,” reads the joint testimony of PSC Electric Unit Director Robert L. Trokey, Dylan A. Drugan and Karan A. Pol.

The joint testimony of PSC Director of Utility Finance Tom J. Newsome, Vice President of J. Kennedy and Associates, Inc., Philip M. Hayet and Director of Consulting at Kennedy and Associates Leah J. Wellborn read that Georgia Power’s predictions of new large loads are materializing slower than expected. 

Because of this, the staff recommended only approving an increase of 3,125 megawatts. 

“Non-large load customers could experience significant harm if the Company were to commit to acquire the resources, and the new load and additional incremental revenues do not materialize,” reads the joint testimony.

The PSC will begin hearing testimony for the request on Dec. 10 and will make a final decision on Dec. 19. Public comments are allowed at each hearing.

On the same day the testimony was submitted to the PSC, two environmental groups filed a motion to postpone the hearing until the newly elected commissioners could take their seats on Jan. 1. The current members of the commission denied the request.

“I think this is an issue about whether the commission is going to be looking out for the interests of the consumers that they are in charge of protecting and holding the company accountable,” Dr. Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said.