October 16, 2025 – (ATLANTA) The Georgia Public Service Commission on Thursday moved forward on a plan to release $5 million from the state Universal Service Fund (USF) for natural gas customers in need of energy assistance this winter.
“Everyone understands that energy costs have been rising,” said Commission Vice Chairman Fitz Johnson, sponsor of the motion. “With the winter heating season approaching, it’s prudent to provide this funding to support low-income senior citizens and other gas customers in need of help with their bills.”
Since 2000, the Commission has approved $96.6 million in USF grants to assist low-income customers on Atlanta Gas Light’s system. This has ensured that these customers continue to receive natural gas service and keep their bills lower during the winter heating season.
The Commission will vote on Vice Chairman Johnson’s motion at the PSC’s Tuesday Administrative Hearing.
July 15, 2025 – (ATLANTA) The Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with Georgia Power to produce at least 6,000 new megawatts of energy between 2029 and 2031. If Georgia Power shows the need, the PSC can allow an additional 2,500 MW of new energy for a total of 8,500 MW in that time period.
The agreement finalizes the 2025 Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan, a long-range power production plan that is updated by the PSC every three years. Throughout the 2025 IRP hearings, Georgia Power and the PSC’s Public Interest Advocacy Staff disagreed over the amount of new energy large load customers were expected to consume over the next several years – although both sides did agree it would be significant.
In the end, the Commissioners approved an agreement that sets new production with a 6,000 MW minimum and 8,500 MW maximum, to be based on proven need. Georgia Power will continue to file quarterly Large Load Economic Development Reports and both parties will continue to review and update the methodology for estimating data center load growth.
“As data center construction continues in Georgia, this IRP puts us in a safe and secure spot to meet that energy need,” said PSC Chairman Jason Shaw. “This long-term plan continues to strike a balance between reliability and affordability.”
July 1, 2025 – (ATLANTA) Following more than seven hours of testimony during a public hearing last week, the Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year freeze for Georgia Power base rates.
In May, at the urging of the five Commissioners, the Georgia Public Service Commission Public Interest Advocacy Staff and Georgia Power came to an agreement stating that Georgia Power will not file an expected 2025 Rate Case. Instead, the company will freeze base rates at the current level for at least three years.
“I am so glad we are able to offer rate stability to Georgia Power customers,” said PSC Chairman Jason Shaw. “Customers have seen unprecedented inflation in the energy sector across the U.S. My fellow Commissioners and I urged staff and Georgia Power to come to some agreement where base rates would not increase. This is nothing but good news for Georgia Power ratepayers.”
June 24, 2025 – (ATLANTA) Summer has arrived and the hot weather came quickly this year.
When the National Weather Service Issues heat advisories, Georgia Public Service Commission rules regarding disconnections of service kick in.
Per PSC Rule 515-3-2-.04 (02), “Seasonal Restrictions,” Georgia Power cannot disconnect electric service to a residential customer for non-payment if: “Prior to 8:00 A.M. on the date of the scheduled disconnection, a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect, or is forecast to be in effect by the National Weather Service, for the county in which the meter scheduled for disconnection is located.”
June 10, 2025 – (ATLANTA) The North American Numbering Plan Administrator has informed the Georgia Public Service Commission that residents in the 912 area code region will soon be seeing a second area code, in addition to 912.
Once new phone numbers for the 912 area code have been exhausted, some new users will be assigned a 565 area code. The 912 area code will remain in use. Anyone currently using the 912 area code will not see changes to their phone numbers or area codes.
Industry officials have determined that the 912 area code will exhaust its potential combinations by the second quarter of 2028. Industry guidelines maintain that an “overlay” area code should be in place at least six months before an in-use area code is exhausted. A specific date for the introduction of the 565 area code has not been set.
