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August 21, 2026

Chattooga County Schools On Two-Hour Delay Following Overnight Power Outages

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Chattooga County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay today, Friday, August 21, due to a power outage affecting the Lyerly area.

The delay comes after thunderstorms moved through Northwest Georgia overnight, leaving multiple widespread power outages across Chattooga and Floyd counties.

Georgia Power is reporting numerous outages across the region this morning, with one of the largest outages affecting the Lyerly area.

The overnight storms brought heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds to portions of Northwest Georgia, resulting in power interruptions as residents began their Friday morning.

Because of the outage in Lyerly, Chattooga County School System officials made the decision to delay the start of school by two hours.

Parents, students and school employees should plan for school operations to begin two hours later than the normal Friday schedule.

Georgia Power crews are working to restore electricity to affected customers across Chattooga and Floyd counties.

Residents should use caution around any downed trees or power lines and should never approach or attempt to move a downed electrical line.

WZQZ News will continue to provide updates on the power outages and any additional schedule changes as information becomes available.

August 20, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC Automation Technology Students Find Career Opportunities At Georgia Power

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Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Automation Technology program is helping prepare students for careers in the energy industry, including opportunities with Georgia Power.

August 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summer Heat Brings Higher Power Bills — And Renewed Scrutiny of Georgia Power Rates

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With temperatures pushing into the upper 90s and heat index readings topping 100 degrees across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, air conditioners are working overtime — and many households are seeing the consequences when their electric bills arrive.

July 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Breaks Ground On Major Plant Bowen Expansion As Supporters, Critics Debate Future Of Energy

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Hundreds of invited guests gathered this week at Plant Bowen in Northwest Georgia as Georgia Power officially broke ground on one of the largest electric generation expansion projects in the company’s history.

July 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Unveils Customer Protection Pledge As Debate Over Data Centers Continues

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Georgia Power has announced a new Customer Protection Pledge, saying it is designed to keep electricity affordable while meeting the state’s rapidly growing demand for power from new industries, including data centers and manufacturers.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia PSC Launches Investigation Into Whether Data Centers Are Shifting Power Costs to Other Customers

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The Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to move forward with an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s largest electricity customers—including data centers—are paying their fair share of fuel costs or shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Met with OpenAI Leaders as Georgia Pursues AI Growth

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Governor Brian Kemp recently met privately with executives from OpenAI and Georgia Power as state leaders continue exploring Georgia’s role in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry. According to documents obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act, the meeting took place on June 11 at the State Capitol, although neither the Governor’s Office nor OpenAI disclosed what was discussed.

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Families Paying Hundreds More Each Year for Electricity Than Six Years Ago

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Georgia households are paying significantly more to keep the lights on than they were just six years ago, as a series of rate increases and higher energy costs continue to push electric bills upward.

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

PSC Rule Limits Georgia Power Disconnects During Heat Advisories

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The Georgia Public Service Commission is reminding customers that special rules apply when dangerous summer heat is in the forecast.

Under PSC rules, Georgia Power cannot disconnect electric service to a residential customer for non-payment if a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect, or forecast to be in effect, for that customer’s county before 8 a.m. on the scheduled disconnection date.

The rule applies specifically to Georgia Power, which is regulated by the PSC. Customers served by electric membership corporations or municipal electric systems should contact their provider directly to ask about similar policies.

The restriction is temporary. Once the heat advisory or warning ends, disconnection can be reinstated. The PSC encourages customers at risk of losing service to contact their provider and make payment arrangements.

Customers who need help may also contact PSC Consumer Affairs at 404-656-4501, 800-282-5813, or by email at gapsc@psc.ga.gov.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Why Are Georgia Power Bills Still So High Despite a Fuel Rate Cut?

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Many Georgia Power customers may have noticed that electric bills remain high this summer, even though the utility recently lowered the fuel portion of its rates.

According to WABE, the biggest reason is increased summer electricity use. As temperatures climb, air conditioners run longer and harder, driving up the amount of electricity households consume. At the same time, Georgia Power’s higher seasonal summer rates take effect, meaning customers pay more for electricity during the months when demand is greatest.

Although the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a reduction in Georgia Power’s fuel costs that lowered the average residential bill by about $4 per month beginning in June, those savings are often outweighed by increased air conditioning use and higher summer rates.

Georgia Power recommends several ways to reduce bills, including raising the thermostat by one degree, using a programmable thermostat, replacing HVAC filters regularly, sealing air leaks around doors and windows, and taking advantage of free home energy audits and available rebates for energy-efficient improvements. Consumer advocates also encourage customers to carefully review optional billing plans before switching, as some may cost more over time depending on energy usage.