For Immediate Release
Contact:
Liz Coyle, Georgia Watch, 404-525-1085
Seth Gunning, Sierra Club, 404-434-9745
Ed Van Herik, AARP, 404-431-1798
Georgia Watch, Sierra Club, AARP to Hold Town Meetings on
Proposed Power Rate Hike
ATLANTA, Oct. 3, 2013 - The Sierra Club, AARP Georgia and Georgia Watch will sponsor a series of informational town hall meetings in October to discuss Georgia Power's request for a $478 million rate hike to go into effect on January 1, 2014.
"Commissioners want to hear from the public before we vote on a proposed rate increase," said Georgia Public Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton. "The Town Hall meetings are an opportunity, outside of Atlanta, to listen to the utility's customers who would be affected by the rate case."
If approved, the Georgia Power rate increase would add nearly $8 a month to the average residential bill. The power company also wants the commission to increase Georgia Power's guaranteed profit to 11.5 percent. In addition, Georgia Power wants to charge an additional fee to customers who install solar panels to power their homes, farms or small businesses if they require any electricity from the power company.
"AARP Georgia is willing to listen, but we find it hard to believe this is the best time for a rate increase, when thousands of older Georgians are already struggling," said David Pilgrem, associate state director of AARP Georgia.
"Electricity bills in Georgia have risen steadily year after year," said Elena Parent, executive director of the consumer advocacy organization Georgia Watch. "People are still trying to recover from the tough economic times we've had in this state and another rate increase will make it even harder."
"Georgians are just beginning to reap the big benefits of clean, cheap energy from wind and solar," said Seth Gunning, organizer with the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. "Now is not the time for Georgia Power to increase customer bills so it can waste money on outdated and expensive coal plants."
Hearings will be held on:
Oct. 17, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Coastal Georgia Center
305 Fahm Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Oct. 21, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Coca-Cola Space and Science Center
Columbus State University
701 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901
Oct. 29, 6:30-8:00pm
Brenau Downtown Center
301 Main Street, SW, Gainesville, GA 30501
Oct. 30, 6:30-8:00pm
The University of Georgia Chapel
109 Herty Drive, Athens, GA 30602
The Public Service Commission is also sponsoring two hearings to take comments from the public at 9 am November 5 and 6 in Room 110 at 244 Washington Street, S.W., Atlanta.
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About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our quarterly publication for Hispanic members; NRTA Live and Learn for National Retired Teachers Association members; and our Web site, www.aarp.org. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About Georgia Watch
Founded in 2002, Georgia Watch is a non-profit, nonpartisan 501-(c)(3) organization working through advocacy and education to give consumers a fair shake in the areas of consumer energy, healthcare, access to civil justice and personal finance. www.georgiawatch.org
About the Sierra Club
Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, we are 2.1 million of your friends and neighbors, working together to protect our communities and the planet. Read more at http://www.sierraclub.org.
