June 15, 2021 – (ATLANTA) – The Georgia Public Service Commission voted unanimously today to reduce a landline phone fee as a 10-year statutory program sunsets.
In 2011, the PSC began implementing a new state law that required telecommunications carriers to reduce the rates they charge each other to complete long distance calls. The practical effect of the law was to bring the costs for in-state long distance calls in line with the costs for out-of-state long distance calls. Prior to implementation by the PSC, it would often cost significantly more to place an in-state long distance call than to call across the country using a landline.
Having now fully implemented this program over a period of 10 years, the PSC voted unanimously on Tuesday to reduce the “Universal Access Fund” fee by 37.5% percent to account for the sunsetting program. The fee will drop from 6.00% to 3.75% on monthly bills beginning July 1, 2021.
“The bottom line is: business and individual customers in Georgia will see a savings on their phone bills,” said PSC Commissioner Tricia Pridemore, the chair of the PSC Telecommunications Committee. “This is welcome news for anyone with a landline phone.”
May 6, 2021 – (ATLANTA) – The Smart Grid Customer Education Symposium has chosen Georgia Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Tim Echols as its “Innovator of the Year” in the 2021 Game Changers Awards. The award will be presented on June 8 during the Smart Grid Customer Education Symposium’s 10th Annual event to be held virtually.
March 18, 2021 – ATLANTA – Natural gas is affordable, easy to use, much cleaner than coal, and abundant. From cooking supper on your gas stove to running a power plant that can generate enough electricity to light up a city, natural gas helps keep America running.
Today, March 18, is Natural Gas Utility Workers Day. The members of the Georgia Public Service Commission would like to salute all the gas utility workers who ensure natural gas is safely and efficiently transported to plants, homes and businesses across Georgia.
December 15, 2020 (ATLANTA) – The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a policy for broadband expansion pursuant to House Bill 244 today that requires Electric Membership Cooperatives to charge a simple $1-per-year fee for entities to attach utility service to poles in areas "unserved" by broadband. The $1 per year fee would be set for six years.
Commissioner Tricia Pridemore added a successful motion to set pole rates in areas currently served by broadband to $27.71 per pole per year. This represents an “at cost” fee to cover service and upkeep of the poles.
“Served” and “unserved” areas are determined by the Georgia Broadband Initiative map published by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
December 02, 2020 (ATLANTA) – A Georgia Power rate plan that caters to energy customers who monitor their usage will become the default rate for newly-constructed homes beginning January 1. This is the first time new sign-ups for Georgia Power will default to any rate other than the standard residential rate.
All Georgia homes built after January 1, 2021 will default to the “Smart Usage” plan when residents activate new accounts with Georgia Power. New-home customers can, however, opt out of the Smart Usage plan and choose any other eligible plan when they sign up for power. At the request of the Georgia Public Service Commission, Georgia Power will discuss the new-construction default with the state’s home building industry. Georgia Power is likewise launching an education campaign for consumers.
