Georgia Power Customers Face Rate Hike to Cover Vogtle Expansion Costs

The Georgia Public Service Commission has unanimously approved a rate increase for Georgia Power customers to help the utility recover costs for the new units at Plant Vogtle. The rate hike, previously negotiated between the commission's staff and Georgia Power, will cover the utility's share of $10.2 billion in construction costs for Units 3 and 4 at the nuclear power plant. The project, which is seven years late and billions over budget, has a total cost of $31 billion for Georgia Power and three other owners. The rate increase will take effect when Unit 4 goes into operation in the first quarter of 2024. The agreement also expands Georgia Power's Income Qualified Senior Discount to include more households.