Public Service Commission approves controversial Georgia Power energy expansion plan

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted Friday to allow Georgia Power to add 10 gigawatts of power capacity serving the state’s rapidly growing data center industry.

Georgia Power claims the plan will save customers roughly $8.50 a month between 2029 and 2031.

However, critics argued that the plan would affect future utility rates. They also said there needs to be greater transparency and stronger protections for customers.

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During the Public Service Commission meeting on Friday, the commissioners heard from both supporters and opponents of the plan.

“I highly, highly recommend y’all think about what this means for our communities. We’ve seen the research that data centers are not good for our communities,” one resident said. “It’s going to affect people who look like me. It’s going to affect people who are poor, people who are at a disadvantage.”

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Another resident said the “future of our economy and the health of our democracy, I would argue, runs on data centers’ artificial intelligence.”

PSC Chairman Jason Shaw said he is confident “this is a good deal for Georgians.”

“We share the public’s concerns about costs to provide energy to new large-load customers, including data centers,” Shaw said. “This agreement ensures data centers – or, if necessary, Georgia Power itself – will pay for this new infrastructure. Existing customers will not.”

Kim Greene, Georgia Power CEO, president and chairman, also praised the PSC vote.

“Growth is good for Georgia and for communities of all sizes. The decision by the Georgia PSC today will help keep our state competitive by demonstrating that we are ready to meet the energy demands of new businesses for years to come,” Greene said. “We appreciate the work of the PSC, and all those who participated in this important process.”

Others, like the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), disagreed.

“Today commissioners chose to put this $60 billion risk on the backs of everyday Georgians, not Georgia Power. They had the chance to meaningfully protect existing customers, and they did not,” said Bob Sherrier, a staff attorney in SELC’s Georgia office. “Existing customers’ bills are not adequately protected. There currently is not — and may never be — data center customers that need this much energy from Georgia Power. What we do know is that five more methane gas power plants will pollute our state’s air and water for decades to come.”

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.