State Regulators Drop Bid to Delay Georgia Power Rate Hike Case
State regulators Wednesday dropped a bid to further delay a rate hike request by Georgia Power.
Georgia Power’s case to add about $8 per month to the typical residential customer's bill is back on.
Public Service Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton said ultimately his staff members couldn’t reach an agreement with Georgia Power over how a proposed 10-12 month delay would work.
“To be frank, there were a number of issues but I’d say they all fall under what the company would be earning in the interim so essentially you’re having many of the same arguments about delaying that you would in the hearing anyway which is I think why everyone just opted to go forward with the hearing.”
The day before, Commissioner Bubba McDonald initiated a 24-hour halt to the rate case so both parties could discuss a long-term delay. McDonald said he proposed it due to financial uncertainty related to the ongoing government shutdown and the Environmental Protection Agency, among other reasons.
Chairman Eaton said he shared some of those concerns.
“It wouldn’t have bothered me whether we delayed it or went forward today. It was an idea, it was worthy enough to discuss for 24 hours and we decided to move forward with the hearings.”
Tuesday, the case went on as normal with Georgia Power defending its request to raise its required profit margin closer to 12 percent. Hearings continue tomorrow morning.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Related
Top Stories
