Power company says yes, but the PSC faces customers’ wrath
Georgia Power is trying to offset customers’ anger over high power bills with an energy saving campaign aiming at helping reduce bills. However, customers aren’t believing that is the root of the problem and have started an online campaign to contact Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) members to voice complaints.
The campaign focuses on Georgia Power programs to help reduce power bills. There are four programs that include:
- The Home Energy Improvement Program
- HopeWorks
- The Ease Assistance for Savings & Efficiency (EASE)
- The Manufactured Home Energy Improvement Program
These programs are available in 155 of Georgia’s 159 counties where Georgia Power serves customers. In the Northwest Georgia region, Fannin County is not on the Georgia Power Grid. Additionally, some cities like Cartersville and Dalton have their own city electric systems and aren’t served by Georgia Power. You can click here to see the Georgia Power territorial map.
The Home Energy Improvement Program primary criteria is that you are a Georgia Power customer and your household income is 200% or less of the U.S. Federal Poverty guidelines. After you apply, a home energy assessor will come to your home, review improvements, and help move your application forward.
HopeWorks is for those 60 years old and older. Seniors can receive free energy efficient home improvements if they meet income criteria. This includes things like adding insulation, servicing central heating and air units and air sealing cracks, gaps and leaks. However, this program is currently paused with seniors forwarded to the EASE program.
EASE criteria is the same as the Home Energy Improvement Program with the applications working the same way. An energy assessor will come to your home, make recommendations, and an approved program contractor will come to make the improvements.
The Manufactured Home Energy Improvement Program offers similar energy efficiency improvements for manufactured homes. This program will pay for things like advanced power strips, faucet aerators, and low-flow shower heads at no cost to the homeowner. You must schedule an appointment to see if you can be approved. You can find out about any of these programs here.
Senior citizens can get discounts on their power bills. Those include seniors on government assistance programs like Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplement Security Income (SSI), food stamps, and Medicaid. However, it also includes other seniors who have a combined household income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less. They can get an income-qualified discount on metered electrical service and fuel recovery costs. There is a similar program for natural gas customers. For more information about these programs, click here.
The public service campaign on these programs comes amid major infrastructure improvements to meet power demands in Northwest Georgia. It also comes with concerns that the power company will look to rate increases to fund infrastructure for data centers. Georgia Power has frozen rate increases for three years.
Beyond the company programs aimed at lower-income individuals and seniors, Georgia Power is pushing its conservation recommendations to lower costs. This includes installing LED lights, smartmeters, avoiding electrical use during peak hours, getting energy efficient appliances that come with rebates, and unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use. There is an online home energy check-up you can do to help assess energy use and lower costs.
Those online say they are already doing many of these things. While some post phenomenal results, others lament that nothing is reducing their power bills. The topic of Georgia Power seeking money for power storm recovery charges is trending. The power giant is expected to go to the PSC in the spring, after the November 4 election to fill two PSC seats, to request a rate increase to cover damage done to infrastructure during Hurricane Helene.
One woman wrote “Crazy!!!! As much construction that’s going on?! I believe Steve Taylor and the “Growth Committee” should be the ones to personally pay the increases for the community as a whole!”
“I’m glad Im not the only one feeling this way. Things do need to change. My electric bill was $520 last month when the average is $220. I get it that rates are higher during summer but that is insane,” posted one man.
“Look at your bill and see how much you are using during peak hours (2-7pm M-F). They charge an astronomical amount for power during these hours. Also don’t use any of your appliances at the same time. I am careful about these things and mine was still $500 this last month,” a female Georgia Power customer said.
“Not to mention…. the 6 rate hikes since January of 2023?? Occurred under Republicans …. and it’s currently Republicans in charge now? The only reason they voted to “freeze basic rates”? is because an election is coming up,” wrote another customer.
A letter is circulating online that people can copy, paste, sign, and email or mail to the PSC with concerns over additional rate increases. It also offers advice on how to make concerns publicly known on social media and with officials. That letter can be found by clicking here.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio.