Georgians have been begging and pleading to not have utility rates increased: We have been ignored.

Georgia residents have spent the last few months begging the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) not to raise utility rates on ratepayers in Georgia. On our behalf they have asked over and over again, but were ignored as the 5 member commission recently voted unanimously to give Georgia Power everything they have requested and more. This is on top of the rate increase the PSC gave Georgia Power in December 2022 that went into effect in January 2023.

The PSC’s decision to give Georgia Power more money from ratepayers will not end with this latest vote. Georgia Power plans to come back to the PSC to ask that they make ratepayers pay for the cost overruns and delays in getting Plant Vogel completed. Georgians are already having to make tough decisions in the middle of inflation such as how to keep a roof over the heads of our families, how to keep food on the table, and if we can purchase much-needed medicine. None of this matters to members of the PSC as they ignored the public’s request to pump the breaks on rate increases in Georgia. 

A video montage from last month’s Public Service Commission hearings of people asking, begging, and pleading with commissioners not to raise their rates is attached. See and hear for yourself the pleas from others in the state that share the same concerns as you do regarding the out-of-control rates that are being placed on the backs of ratepayers.

Georgians can do something about the Public Service Commission. Georgians have the opportunity to change the dynamics of the commission by voting for two candidates that will serve the people, Patty Durand and Shelia Edwards.

Spread the word and make plans now to protect your pocketbooks by voting for the people who will vote for you, Patty and Shelia. Georgians are waiting for the PSC races to be put back on by the courts, but when they are, please be prepared to act. Since the PSC Commissioners won’t listen to you now, make them listen to you by voting them out of office.

Please repost or forward this video. We want more people to know of the pain that is hidden behind the PSC hearing room doors that Commissioners routinely, routinely, routinely – ignore. Let’s not get mad, let’s VOTE for Patty Durand and Shelia Edwards.

Short version (4 minutes): https://youtu.be/iVaePxfjNJQ

Long version (8 minutes): https://youtu.be/agzzKnMorcE

Strong local news has the ability to educate us as citizens, connect us as people, and empower us as communities. SPOTLIGHT South Cobb News has been serving our community in this role since 2021. Please help us fund the important work of SPOTLIGHT by making a contribution today.