Georgia Power has filed its expected Fuel Cost Recovery and Storm Cost Recovery cases with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), saying the combined filings could result in slightly lower electric rates for customers beginning this summer. However, critics and many local residents across Northwest Georgia say that promise rings hollow as power bills continue to climb dramatically.

According to Georgia Power, the two filings are designed to address separate costs. The first seeks recovery of fuel expenses — including coal and natural gas — used to operate power plants, while the second covers storm restoration costs tied to events ranging from pop-up thunderstorms to major hurricanes such as Hurricane Helene. If approved by the PSC, the company says the net effect would be a 1 percent rate decrease, translating to an average savings of about $1.32 per month for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

“Delivering reliable and affordable electricity to millions of Georgia homes and businesses requires prudent management and planning at every level, every day,” said Tyler Cook, chief financial officer and treasurer for Georgia Power. Cook added that while electricity rates are increasing in other parts of the country, Georgia Power is working with regulators to manage growth and provide customer savings.

The utility points to its diverse generation mix and fuel hedging strategy — locking in fuel prices in advance — as key reasons it has been able to reduce the fuel portion of customer bills beginning in June. Georgia Power also emphasized that fuel charges are a pass-through cost, meaning the company does not earn a profit on fuel expenses.

Storm recovery costs remain a major part of the filing. Georgia Power reports its storm reserve is under-recovered by $912 million and proposes spreading that recovery over the next four years. Nearly $800 million of that total stems from Hurricane Helene in 2024, the most destructive storm in company history. Georgia Power says its rapid restoration efforts following the storm earned national recognition.

But consumer advocates and critics argue that the company’s filings overlook the real-world impact on customers — especially those on fixed incomes. They note that while Georgia Power highlights a potential $1.32 monthly savings, many residents are already seeing power bills increase by tens or even hundreds of dollars compared to previous years.

Critics also point to repeated rate cases, fuel adjustments, and infrastructure costs that have steadily pushed bills higher, even as Georgia Power reports strong financial performance. Some advocacy groups have questioned whether storm costs, fuel hedging decisions, and new power plant investments are being passed on to customers too aggressively, with limited relief in return.

Local residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia echo those concerns, telling WZQZ News that recent bills feel “unsustainable,” particularly during periods of extreme heat or cold when energy use is unavoidable. Many say they are skeptical that a modest projected decrease will meaningfully offset the sharp increases they have already absorbed.

The Georgia Public Service Commission will now review the filings through its formal process, which includes public input and participation from consumer advocates and other intervenors. A decision is expected later this year.

Until then, customers are left weighing Georgia Power’s promise of future savings against the immediate strain of higher monthly electric bills.