A 3.2 percent rate increase for Georgia Power residential customers takes effect Saturday, adding about $5 to the average monthly bill.
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the increase in April as part of Georgia Power’s most recent rate case. The utility had asked for a 5.6 percent increase, but the PSC scaled it back after months of public hearings and customer complaints.
“This is the smallest rate increase Georgia Power has received in more than a decade,” said PSC chairman Jason Shaw in a statement. “We held the line on costs while making sure the company has the resources it needs to maintain reliable service.”
Georgia Power serves roughly 2.7 million customers across the state, including most of metro Atlanta. Commercial and industrial customers will see slightly smaller percentage increases.
The increase will appear on bills issued beginning Saturday, which cover usage from the prior billing cycle. Georgia Power typically bills in arrears, meaning the first bills affected by the increase will be the August bills issued in early September.
Customers can find detailed rate information and energy-saving tips at georgiapower.com.
The PSC is also considering a separate request from Georgia Power to add more nuclear and natural gas generation to its portfolio to meet growing demand from data centers and other large customers. A decision on that case is expected by the end of the year.
