Georgia lawmakers move to shield ratepayers from data center costs

Affordability is the buzzword this legislative session, and Georgia lawmakers are looking to protect consumers from higher utility bills due to data centers.

Georgia House Bill 1063 would require electric utilities, such as Georgia Power, to protect residential and retail electricity customers from costs related to data center construction and operation.

State Rep. Brad Thomas, R-Holly Springs, told The Capitol Beat lawmakers have heard concerns from their constituents about the costs associated with data centers, and he’s concerned that Georgia Power’s projected demand will not be realized.

“We have heard that concern and we are going to address it,” Thomas said.

Thomas presented the bill on Friday to the Special Committee on Resource Management, which passed it.

Many of the requirements of the legislation are already required by Public Service Commission regulations, but codifying the measures add an additional layer of protections.

“I like the fact that the PSC has a policy, but I also understand too that the PSC could change that policy at any time,” said state Rep. Teddy Reese, D-Columbus, at the meeting.

Aaron Mitchell, the senior vice president of growth and engagement for Georgia Power, said that the company is neutral towards this bill because they are already implementing the requirements by the PSC.

Environmental activists said they were not against the bill, but were concerned about some of the language in the legislation as not specifically defining costs to customers as well as concerns over Georgia Power’s predictions for electricity demands.

An advocate for data centers did not reject the bill, but asked that the bill also include other large load customers.

“This is probably the bill that will pass this year, I would imagine, relating to data centers,” said state Rep. Don Parsons, R-Marietta, at the meeting.