The Georgia Public Commission Sides with Georgia Power
Commission Approved Rate Case Settlement Threatens Georgians with Higher Utility Rates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025
Atlanta, GA — Today, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Georgia Power’s rate case settlement following a fast-tracked timeline. The approved rate case settlement freezes base rates, but millions of Georgia Power customers could still see higher electricity bills due to unrecovered costs from Hurricane Helene and rising fuel costs, both of which are passed on to the customer.
Yesterday, June 30th, with support from Vote Solar, GA WAND filed a motion urging the Commission to revise the rate case timeline to comply with state law and extend the intervenor testimony deadline by at least 30 days. This change would have preserved parties’ procedural rights to meaningfully participate, allow for more thorough expert analysis, and give intervenors and the public a better opportunity to review the proposal, raise concerns, and help shape a more transparent and informed decision. By approving the settlement today, the Commission has denied the motion to extend the timeline.
“The Commission’s rushed timeline shut out the public and intervenors from meaningfully weighing in and providing analysis on how the proposal will affect Georgia Power customers,” said Allison Kvien, Vote Solar’s Southeast Regulatory Director. “At a time when household budgets are increasingly impacted by decisions made at the state and local level, it is necessary to give communities the space to participate in decisions that impact them.”
Earlier this year, Georgia Power experts claimed that growing electricity demand, especially from energy-intensive data centers, would put “downward pressure” on their rates. In the utility’s 2023 integrated resource plan update, it projected that an average household would see a $2.89 monthly bill reduction. However, no such savings appear in this final rate case decision. Instead, Georgia Power will freeze base rates for three years, a move that does not prevent bills from rising due to other cost adjustments.
“When communities are left out, the outcomes serve corporate interests—not everyday Georgians trying to keep the lights on and bills manageable,” said Kvien. “We will continue championing people-centered energy solutions and look forward to advancing alternatives, like local solar, that reduce long-term costs for Georgia families.”
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to advance state-level policies that make solar and clean energy solutions accessible to all. Since 2002, Vote Solar has worked to build a just and equitable energy future by leveraging deep policy expertise, strategic partnerships, and public engagement. In the face of powerful opposition, Vote Solar champions bold solutions that expand clean energy access, drive investment in frontline communities, and accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.