High utility bills are one more burden in a host of challenges these communities face. Georgia Power’s service areas include high poverty communities in Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah, where customers in some neighborhoods pay a large percentage of their income to utilities and where poor housing stock and low incomes put families at risk for housing insecurity among other challenges. Image Source: SACE Staff ENERGY AFFORDABILITY Advocates who showed up to speak at the March 24 PSC town hall. Speakers discussed energy affordability and the burden high energy bills places on low-income residents, the need for more solar power and policies that will help Georgia’s growing solar industry, and urged the PSC to provide more opportunities for public input.įor the remainder of the IRP hearings, public comment will be restricted to online, email, and mail communication. They have kept these restrictions in place during the 2022 proceedings, allowing just one opportunity so far this year for in-person public input.ĭozens of people took advantage of the opportunity to speak at a public town hall meeting on March 24, 2022, presented by the PSC. During COVID-19, the PSC shut its doors and allowed only written public comments. In past IRP proceedings, members of the public were able to attend meetings and give comments in person before the PSC. Georgia Power is expected to file its new Rate Case proposal on June 24. This process, known as the Rate Case, is of particular importance to consumers, as the PSC will rule on fees and rates for all Georgia Power customers. The 2022 IRP proceedings are underway, and Georgia Power will soon submit proposed rate changes to the PSC. The PSC will rule on the IRP on July 21st. This year, for the first time, a group of local governments will be at the table as well.
Industry, consumer, and environmental groups (including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy) typically intervene in the hearings as formal stakeholders.
#Georgia power customer service jobs series
The PSC holds a series of hearings during which Georgia Power has an opportunity to make its case for its proposals, and stakeholder groups can ask for changes and adjustments to the plan. What is an Integrated Resource Plan?Įvery three years, Georgia Power submits an IRP detailing projected electricity demand and what sources or fuels they will use to meet the demand for the next 20 years. The candidates will appear on ballots for the May 24 primary election and then again for the general election on November 8. Both seats are currently held by Republicans, and there are Democratic challengers for each seat. This year, the District 2 and District 3 seats will be on the ballot and voters have an opportunity to vote for new candidates or re-elect sitting commissioners. No matter where you live in Georgia, if a PSC seat is open, you will have the opportunity to vote on a new commissioner. PSC members must reside in one of five districts around the state but are elected on a statewide basis. The decisions made at the PSC directly impact how Georgia Power will meet electricity demand from customers in its monopoly service area. The PSC also has a say in, how much renewable energy Georgia Power pursues, how solar programs are structured, energy efficiency programs the Company offers, and whether rooftop solar is encouraged.Īs part of its regulatory activity, the PSC considers whether Georgia Power’s proposed fees, rates, bill structures, and shutoff policies are fair to consumers, and whether to allow the utility to pass certain costs on to rate-payers. The PSC decides whether to approve plans and procedures for power plant closures (for example, when Georgia Power decides to retire old coal plants), as well as new power plant construction (for example, when Georgia Power decides to build a new nuclear power facility.) The Georgia PSC is an elected body that regulates certain electric and gas utilities in Georgia. We at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy are working to inform the public about the plan and letting Georgia residents know how they can get involved in this crucial process of planning for Georgia’s energy future. While many Georgia residents have already spoken up about their concerns, ideas, and preferences regarding the plan, the PSC’s limit on in-person public input has made it harder for advocates to engage in the process. The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) is making important decisions that impact household electricity bills and Georgia’s air and water quality as it considers Georgia Power’s proposed 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
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