Georgia Power today asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to increase its base rates approximately $482 million, or 6.1 percent. The request is being made to allow the company to recover the costs of recent and future investments in infrastructure –including environmental controls, transmission and distribution, generation, and smart grid technologies – required in order to maintain high levels of reliability and superior customer service.

The proposed change in rates would be effective Jan. 1, 2014.

"We're committed to delivering value to our customers in the form of clean, safe, reliable electricity at rates below the national average, and we're committed to being a partner that our customers can depend on day-in, day-out," said Paul Bowers, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "We will continue to invest what is required to deliver the world-class value our customers deserve and expect and to serve Georgia's current and future energy needs."  

If the request is approved, the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an increase of about 6.7 percent, or $7.84.  

Georgia Power consistently offers rates that are below the national average. Over the past 26 years, the company's total retail rate has averaged more than 13 percent below the national average. Since 1990, its base price has increased by 23 percent, compared to a 76 percent increase for general inflation. In fact, the company's total retail rate, which includes base rate and fuel costs, has lagged the rate of inflation for the same time period.

Georgia Power's commitment to delivering value to customers includes:

• A diverse generation mix consisting of cost-effective options such as nuclear, coal, natural gas and renewables – solar, wind and biomass – to offer the best long-term, low-cost value to customers.
• Customer programs and tools, including energy efficiency programs for both residential and commercial customers and new user-friendly tools such as My Power Usage, an online tool which allows residential customers to take control of their energy use by tracking their daily energy costs, viewing their projected monthly bill and more. 
• Reducing emissions to meet federal and state environmental standards.  Georgia Power currently manages a $5 billion environmental compliance construction program. By 2015, the company anticipates reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 85 percent and sulfur dioxide emissions by 95 percent from 1990 levels and achieving significant reductions in mercury and particulate emissions – reductions which have been achieved while also increasing overall generation capacity by 10 percent during that time.
• Reliability and "smart grid technologies," including the recently completed installation of digital meters across the state and an integrated vegetation management program to help to ensure a stable and efficient grid and reliable service for customers. 
• Economic development activities to grow Georgia's economy. Since 2010, Georgia Power has helped secure nearly 26,000 jobs and more than $6 billion in new investment for the state.

The PSC will hold public hearings in October and November 2013. A final decision is expected Dec. 17, 2013.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.