Georgia Power is asking state regulators to approve a plan that would charge customers $912 million over the next four years to recover costs tied to Hurricane Helene and other major storms. The proposal, filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission, would add about $4.42 per month to the typical residential bill based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of usage, with higher-use households likely paying more.

Hurricane Helene struck in September 2024, causing widespread destruction across Georgia. The storm killed 37 people in Georgia, knocked out power to more than 1.5 million Georgia Power customers, and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damages statewide. Across the Southeast, Helene was blamed for at least 250 deaths and more than $75 billion in total damages.

Consumer advocates are criticizing the request, saying Georgia Power did not file an insurance claim to help cover storm damage and instead wants customers to refill its storm reserve fund. Critics also argue the proposal highlights how the growing cost of more intense storms is increasingly being passed along to ratepayers, while pointing to concerns about future pollution tied to major utility expansion plans.