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New Nonprofit Georgia Utility Watch Aims for Energy Accountability

Community members come together to advocate for fair and transparent energy regulations.

News Summary

Georgia Utility Watch, a new nonprofit organization founded by Patty Durand, seeks to increase accountability in energy regulation in Georgia. Addressing rising energy costs and advocating for consumer interests, the organization aims to restore the Consumer Utility Counsel and challenge unfair agreements between the Public Service Commission and utility companies. With rising electricity rates and significant disconnections, the group hopes to shift energy governance towards transparency and sustainability.

Georgia Utility Watch: New Nonprofit Promises to Hold Energy Regulators Accountable

Atlanta, GA – A new nonprofit organization called Georgia Utility Watch was launched on Monday by Patty Durand, a well-known figure in energy advocacy circles. This organization is stepping into the ring with the goal of increasing accountability in energy regulation in the Peach State. And it’s about time, especially when you consider the rising costs of electricity and energy policies that seem to favor big companies over everyday families.

Durand previously made a bid for a seat on the state Public Service Commission (PSC), which is responsible for regulating utilities in Georgia. Her motivation for founding Georgia Utility Watch stems from her belief that there are serious lapses in how energy rates are set and how decisions are made—often without the best interests of consumers in mind.

The Rise in Energy Costs

Last year was a tough one for Georgia Power’s residential customers. A staggering 23.7% rate increase was approved, and neither the PSC nor the General Assembly stepped in to check this hike. This kind of unchecked rate increase is a major red flag, and Durand’s organization is committed to advocating for fair electric rates and more transparency from the PSC.

She pointed out that the lack of a state Consumer Utility Counsel, disbanded back in 2008 due to budget cuts, has created a vacuum of representation for average consumers. The state legislature failed to pass a bill to restore this council for two consecutive years, leaving consumers without a solid voice in energy matters.

Disconnected from Reality?

In the past year, nearly 200,000 households faced disconnection from Georgia Power, revealing a concerning trend among Georgia’s energy consumers. The rates are climbing, and yet there’s little advocacy to ensure that vulnerable households are protected.

Governor Brian Kemp made headlines when he vetoed a bill designed to attract data centers to Georgia, demonstrating the complexities of balancing economic growth with consumer needs. A proposal that sought to prevent Georgia Power from passing on extra costs related to data centers to residential customers advanced in committee but ultimately fizzled out without a vote in the Senate. This sends a message that consumers may be bearing the brunt of decisions favoring big business.

Future Goals of Georgia Utility Watch

Georgia Utility Watch aims to bring about significant changes to this landscape. Among its goals is to reinstate a Consumer Utility Counsel and to advocate decisively against stipulated agreements between the PSC and Georgia Power—especially when such agreements are reached before a complete hearing process. The organization will also keep a close eye on important votes made by PSC members, particularly as two commissioners are up for reelection this November.

This year, the PSC is set to vote on Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan and a three-year electric rate case. With claims of high disconnection rates and increasing utility costs, it’s crucial that this nonprofit holds the PSC accountable for its decisions.

High Profit Amidst Consumer Struggles

It’s a head-scratcher: while Georgia Power recorded nearly $2 billion in profits in 2022, consumers faced record a rising rate of power shutoffs. The nonprofit plans to tackle these issues head-on, pushing for not only fair rates but also a broader shift towards sustainable energy sources. Their mission includes making sure that the costs related to data centers do not fall squarely on the shoulders of residential and small business customers.

While Georgia Power’s representatives insist that they are committed to working with customers to avoid disconnections and offer assistance to those in need, the numbers tell a different story. With around a 43% increase in bills since 2020 due to several rate increases, many Georgians are feeling the pinch.

With Patty Durand at the helm, Georgia Utility Watch is setting its sights on a much-needed shift in how energy is governed in Georgia. For the sake of the state’s residents, let’s hope this new organization can bring about the accountability and transparency long overdue in the energy sector.