The Georgia Public Service Commission voted unanimously this past Friday (Dec. 19) to approve Georgia Power’s request to acquire nearly 10 gigawatts of new energy capacity—a major expansion the utility says it needs to meet projected electricity demand from data centers in coming years. The vote was taken before two new Democratic Public Service Commissioners take office next month, a timing critics say is hard to ignore.

Opponents argue the PSC brushed aside expert concerns and testimony questioning whether Georgia Power’s forecast justifies what amounts to “five Hoover Dams’ worth” of additional power. They also warn the plan could cost customers an estimated $50–$60 billion over the life of the resources. If the data center boom doesn’t materialize as predicted, critics say existing residential and small-business customers could be left paying for much of the bill.

To meet the projected demand, the approved plan significantly expands fossil fuel generation, including five new methane gas-burning units planned at Plant Bowen (Bartow County), Plant McIntosh (Effingham County), and Plant Wansley (Heard and Carroll counties).

“Today commissioners chose to put this $60 billion risk on the backs of everyday Georgians, not Georgia Power,” said Bob Sherrier of the Southern Environmental Law Center, arguing customer protections are inadequate and that the added gas plants will pollute for decades.

Georgia Power says “downward pressure” could offer temporary bill relief from 2029–2031, but critics note the company has not publicly shared its methodology and that the claim doesn’t address the long-term commitments and fuel-cost risks tied to new gas generation.

Advocates also warn that methane gas fuel costs are passed through to customers and can spike, while alternatives like solar have no fuel cost—adding to concerns that the PSC’s decision shifts financial and environmental risk onto ratepayers.