Public Service Commission

Commission Approves Additional 515 Megawatts of Solar Generation; Adds Solar Project at King’s Bay Naval Base

ATLANTA, December 16, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today took another step in the expansion of solar energy in our state with the unanimous approval and certification of ten solar power purchase agreements (PPA) for the Georgia Power Company. These projects will add more than 515 megawatts (MW) of solar generation to the Company's energy mix.

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Commissioners Doug Everett and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Take Oath of Office

ATLANTA, December 15, 2014 – Governor Nathan Deal today administered the oath of office to Commissioners Doug Everett and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald as they begin their new six-year terms on the Georgia Public Service Commission. The voters overwhelmingly re-elected Everett and McDonald on November 4, 2014.

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Georgia Public Service Commission Files Comments on EPA Proposed Clean Power Rule

ATLANTA, December 2, 2014 –The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission), in comments filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urges the EPA to "significantly modify" the proposed "Clean Power Plan Rule" filed by EPA on June 2, 2014 under Section 111-(d) of the Clean Air Act. In its comments, the Commission says "the proposed rule is unclear and will create difficulties for regulators and ratepayers in Georgia. We request an adjustment to Georgia's final goal to relieve the hardship we believe the rules, as written, will impose."

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Commission Files Comments on Environmental Protection Agency Clean Power Rules

December 1, 2014 - Atlanta, Georgia - The Georgia Public Service Commission has filed comments on the EPA proposed Clean Power Rule. The text of the comments is found in the document below.

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Commission Re-elects Chuck Eaton as Commission Chair

ATLANTA, November 4, 2014 –The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today unanimously re-elected Commissioner Chuck Eaton for another two-year term as chairman of the Commission.

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Commission Approves Solar Energy Installations at Three Georgia Military Bases

ATLANTA, October 23, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission today unanimously approved the construction of three solar photovoltaic installations on three Georgia military bases as part of a partnership between the Georgia Power Company and the U.S. Army. The three bases are Fort Benning, Fort Gordon and Fort Stewart.

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It’s Time to Prepare for the Winter Heating Season

ATLANTA, October 2, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission advises consumers to start preparing now for the upcoming winter heating season. Consumers need to ensure their homes and heating systems are ready for the cold weather as well as making sure they are getting the best value for their natural gas dollar. If you wait until the last minute you could be shivering while you wait for a service technician or pay higher winter prices. "Georgians need to prepare for the upcoming winter season before the cold temperatures are upon us," said Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton.

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Commission Expands Coverage for Hearing Aid Services for Uninsured Children

ATLANTA, September 16, 2013 – The Georgia Public Service Commission today unanimously approved an expansion of the Hearing Aid Distribution Program which provides hearing aid services to children from ages 0 to 19. The Commission approved an amendment to its contract with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (Foundation) which contracts with the Commission to provide hearing aid services.

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Wise Appeals to EPA Head for Fair Treatment of Georgia under Proposed EPA Carbon Emission Rules; Asks for Extension of Comment Period

ATLANTA, September 9, 2014 — Commissioner Stan Wise, in a September 3 letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, says the EPA's draft rule to reduce carbon emissions from electric power plants, known as the proposed Clean Power Rule, will "place undue hardship on Georgia consumers." In the two-page letter to McCarthy, Wise says he is appealing to McCarthy's "sense of fairness" by sharing some insight into how the proposed rules might impact Georgia.

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Commissioner Echols Hosts Lunch and Learn Session on Human Trafficking in the Atlanta Metro Area

ATLANTA – September 4, 2014 - Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols on September 3, 2014 hosted a "Lunch and Learn" session on "Commercially Sexually Exploited Women and Children in the Atlanta Metro Area" at the Midtown Atlanta law offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP.

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Commission Announces Lifeline Awareness Week is September 8-14, 2014

ATLANTA, September 3, 2013 – The Georgia Public Service Commission joins with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) in announcing September 8-14, 2014 as National Lifeline Awareness Week in Georgia. Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to all residents. Lifeline helps low income consumers connect to the nation's communications networks, find jobs, access health care services, connect with family, and call for help in an emergency. For some, a local phone can be the difference between social connection and complete isolation.

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Commission Verifies and Approves Expenditures from the Ninth and Tenth Vogtle Construction Monitoring Reports

ATLANTA, August 19, 2014—The Georgia Public Service Commission today unanimously approved Georgia Power Company's request to verify and approve the expenditures in the Combined Ninth and Tenth Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report for the period between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013, in Docket Number 29849. The total amount approved today for the Vogtle expansion is $389 million, bringing the total construction cost verified to date to $2.599 billion.

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COMMISSIONER WISE QUESTIONS FEASIBILITY OF MULTI-STATE CAP AND TRADE PROGRAM UNDER PROPOSED U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CARBON DIOXIDE RULES

ATLANTA, July 28, 2014 -- Georgia Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise today called "insurmountable" the challenges in trying to establish multi-state plans to meet the proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Rules under Section 111 (d) of the Clean Air Act. Commissioner Wise participated in a. Workshop on Regional Compliance Options for Section 111 (d) in Washington, D.C sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Solar Foundation Honors McDonald with 2014 Individual Achievement Award

ATLANTA, June 27, 2014 – The Solar Foundation has awarded Georgia Public Service Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald its 2014 Individual Achievement Award because of his efforts to promote solar energy in Georgia. The Foundation presented the award during its recent Summer Solstice event in Washington, D.C. "I am honored to receive this award," said McDonald. "As we continue to move forward with solar energy in Georgia, I will work to ensure that it is done responsibly and without ratepayers' subsidies."

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Commission Approves Credit to Set Nuclear Waste Fund at Zero to Save Georgia Ratepayers $31 Million Annually

ATLANTA, June 17, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved the Georgia Power Company request to credit to consumers a portion of the fuel cost that pays into the Nuclear Waste Fund, a move that will save Georgia Power customers about $31 million a year. The Company submitted the proposal for Commission approval after the Department of Energy formally set the fee it collects under the 1982 federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act to zero effective May 16, 2014.

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Commissioner Wise statement on Release of Carbon Dioxide Rules by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ATLANTA, June 2, 2014 -- The following is a statement from Georgia Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise in reaction to today's issuance of carbon dioxide rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The Obama Administration continues its war on coal with the issuance of carbon dioxide rules for existing coal plants. These overreaching rules trump state authority, put energy users at risk to future price swings, ignores the investments and progress Georgians have made to improve the environment, and are a backdoor attempt to force federal renewable energy mandates.

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Commission Approves Wind Powered Electric Generation as Part of Georgia Power's Company’s Resource Mix

ATLANTA, May 20, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) took another step today to diversify Georgia's energy portfolio. The Commission approved a proposed agreement that will add 250 megawatts of clean renewable wind energy to Georgia's electric grid.

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Commission Approves Wind Powered Electric Generation as Part of Georgia Power Company’s Resource Mix

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Commission Applauds U.S. Decision to Suspend Nuclear Waste Fee

ATLANTA, May 16, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) is applauding the U.S. Energy Department announcement that it will zero out the fees it has collected under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to fund a non-existent Nuclear Waste Repository, thereby saving Georgia consumers approximately $31 million a year. The Department is complying with a November 19, 2013 federal court order to stop collecting this fee which was assessed on nuclear power companies and then passed onto consumers. Since 1982, Georgia electric consumers have paid an estimated $1.2 billion in fees and interest into the fund.

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FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER LAUREN "BUBBA" MCDONALD; McDonald Applauds Dedication of the Georgia Solar Farm in Social Circle Georgia

ATLANTA, May 13, 2014 – Georgia Public Service Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald participated today in the dedication of the Georgia Solar Farm, the largest solar array east of the Mississippi, near Social Circle in Walton County. The Georgia Public Service Commission authorized this project as part of the original 50 megawatt solar project in 2011. The power generated on this site is supplied to Georgia Power Company through a long term purchase power agreement.

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From the Office of Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr.: Georgia Power and U.S. Army Look to Install Solar Projects at Georgia Bases

ATLANTA, May 6, 2014 – Georgia Power Company is expected to file with the Commission a plan that looks to install solar projects at three major U.S Army bases in Georgia that will further the Army's efforts to meet its renewable energy and energy security mandates. Georgia Power announced during today's Administrative Session that it will file an update to its 2007 renewable action plan that will include a memorandum of understanding with the Army to pursue the three projects. More details will be released once the Company makes its filing.

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From the Office of Commissioner Tim Echols: Echols’ Electric Car Gets First Charge at UGA

ATLANTA, May 7, 2014 -- Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and his wife leased an all-electric Nissan Leaf automobile last fall, despite having very few places to charge the vehicle in Athens. Today Commissioner Echols, at the request of the University of Georgia, was the first "customer" at the University of Georgia Auxiliary Services new Level 2 electric vehicle charging station in the North Parking Deck on the University campus. Echols also made remarks at a small ceremony and demonstration held in the North Campus Parking Deck.

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Commission Approves Release of Request for Proposals for the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative

ATLANTA, April 2, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) has taken another step forward in solar energy development in Georgia and unanimously approved the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids for the development of 495Megawatts (MW) of solar generation to go on line in 2015 and 2016. The RPF will be posted today on the web site of Accion, Inc., the Independent Evaluator, at www.gpasi.accionpower.com. Interested bidders should apply through this web site through April 30, 2014. The Commission is expected to make a decision regarding this RFP by December 16, 2014.

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Commission Reminds Georgians That April Is National Safe Digging Month

ATLANTA, April 1, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission reminds all Georgians that April is National Safe Digging Month and that anyone who plans to excavate where underground utilities are located must call 8-1-1 before they dig. Damage from excavation activities to gas and water pipelines, along with sewer systems and buried distribution power lines, remains a leading cause of utility incidents resulting in death or injury.

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Commission Urges Congress to Act to End Georgia Ratepayers Fees for Nuclear Waste Disposal Site

ATLANTA, March 18, 2014 – The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Georgia Congressional Delegation to act immediately to accept the Department of Energy (DOE) recommendation to adjust to zero the current fee charged to Georgia Power Company ratepayers for the Nuclear Waste Fund. Today's Commission action follows the November 19, 2013 U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C. decision that mandated the Secretary of Energy to submit a proposal to Congress to adjust the current Nuclear Waste Fund fee to zero until such time as either the DOE resumes work toward the Yucca Mounty project or until Congress provides for an alternative waste management plan.

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Nuclear Waste Resolution

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Georgia PSC Congratulates National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on its 125th Anniversary

ATLANTA, March 5, 2014 – "On behalf of the Georgia Public Service Commission, I'd like to congratulate the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners on reaching a milestone 125-year anniversary today. NARUC provides an innumerable amount of services for its members, from education to networking to sharing best practices. The lessons we learn from our colleagues across the country help us make better and more informed decisions here in Georgia. NARUC provides the foundation that lets this happen," said Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton.

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Commissioners Applaud Signing of Federal Loan Guarantee for Nuclear Power Plant Vogtle Construction Project

Atlanta, Georgia, February 21, 2014 -- Commissioners Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. (R-Habersham County) and Doug Everett (R-Albany) are applauding the U.S. Energy Department's finalization of $6.5 billion in federal loan guarantees to assist Georgia Power with the construction of two new units at its Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant. Both Commissioners joined with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz; Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers; Chairman, President and Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning; and U.S. Congressman John Barrow, House of Representatives, 12th District of Georgia, for the formal signing ceremony yesterday at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia.

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Commission Recognizes Georgia Power Efforts in Restoring Electricity to Customers Affected by Winter Storms

ATLANTA, February 18, 2014 –The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today publicly recognized Georgia Power Company for its extraordinary work in restoring power to more than 700,000 customers who were left without electricity as a result of the winter ice and storm last week. Commissioners applauded the Georgia Power crews who worked around the clock during the three day event to restore customers affected by power outages. Georgia Power's Emergency Operations

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From the office of Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. : Commissioner McDonald Briefs Federal Officials on Georgia Progress in Solar Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C, February 12, 2014— Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr.(R-Habersham County) briefed White House energy advisors this week on the Georgia Public Service Commission's approval of additional solar power generation capacity into the state's electric system without placing upward pressure on rates or using ratepayer subsidies. The Commission last year approved an additional 525 Megawatts of solar capacity in Georgia Power's 2013 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This decision brings the total solar capacity that will be on line in Georgia by the end of 2015 to 800 Megawatts.

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From the office of Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr.: McDonald Calls on Congress to Take Action on the Nuclear Waste Fund

Atlanta, February 4, 2014 – Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr, today urged the U.S. Congress to take action on developing a plan for a Nuclear Waste Repository. "It's time for Congress to step up and ensure compliance with the plan which called for a Nuclear Waste Repository back in 1982," said McDonald. He noted that Georgia electric ratepayers have paid more than $1.3 billion (including interest) into the Nuclear Waste Repository Fund since 1982, yet to date no repository exists.

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