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.
State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, is continuing his push to protect Georgia residents from cost increases as the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) prepares to vote on an agreement that could allow Georgia Power to add nearly 10 gigawatts of new generation by 2031.
Georgia Power and staff at the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) have reached a deal on a massive $16 billion power expansion that critics say will leave everyday Georgians paying the price for big data centers and utility profits.
Georgia Power is re-evaluating its plans to retire its coal-fired power plants, proposing to extend the operation of some facilities into the 2030s, reversing an earlier commitment to shift towards natural gas and renewable energy. The proposed extension is part of the company’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and includes continued operations at Plant Bowen in Bartow County.
