Regulators approve Georgia Power expansion plan amid protests

(The Center Square) – The Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously greenlighted a plan from Georgia Power that allows the utility to add nearly 10,000 megawatts of power amid protests and requests to delay the vote.

“The people say ‘nay,'” was chanted by the large group that attended the meeting as the commission prepared for its vote, which was unanimous. Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol escorted the group out before the vote took place.

Georgia Power said it would ensure that $556 million in annual revenue from large load customers when the company makes its next rate case in 2028. The revenue would put downward pressure of at least $8.50 a month for the typical residential customer in 2029 to 2031, the utility said in a news release. The utility made an agreement with the Public Service Commission in July that froze rates through 2028.

Opponents questioned the utility’s promise that rates would experience “downward pressure” or that the demand from data centers and other large customers would materialize.

“Pu...