There is no question about it the cost of utilities is going up.  With the announcement last week that the Georgia Public Service Commission approved yet another rate hike for Georgia Power, the average bill in Georgia will go up an additional $10 a month.

Despite criticism from many public watch-dog groups such as the AARP, the Commissioners voted in favor of the rate hike last week with only one outgoing member opposing the move. 

In March of 2009, the Georgia Legislature had voted for an increase in rates for Georgia Power in what was seen as a end-run around the Georgia Public Service Commission. SB31 passed the House and was quickly signed by Governor Sonny Perdue. 

That rate-hike was opposed by both liberal and conservative political commentators in Georgia.  State Representative Barbara Massey Reece, (D-Menlo) opposed the measure at the time, agreeing with many political commentators that Georgia Power’s lobbying interests played a role in the approval of the bill.

The AARP said of the most recent Public Service Commission rate increase approval. that it was an assault on the elderly and low-income residents of Georgia during a recession.