Most everyone can tell you that utility bills have gone up dramatically in 2023.  While the politicians point fingers at who is to blame, the average American household has seen the costs of power, water and natural gas go up over the past twelve months.

In Georgia, residents who are Georgia Power customers have seen their monthly electric bills go up by over 12%.  Right now, the average electric bill for Georgia Power customers is $229 per month.  The national average is $146 per month.

While Chattooga County residents who get their power from North Georgia EMC have cheaper power bills, they have also seen an increase of around $11 per month in their power bills over the past twelve months.

At the same time that customers are paying more for electricity, the costs of natural gas and water bills have gone up for many residents as well.  That combined with inflation in 2023 has caused many to feel the pinch in the pocketbook this year.

According to The Southern Environmental Law Center, by 2025 households will be paying about $500 more annually for utilities.  The group also says that Georgia Power has around 2.7 million customers and over the past year around 10% of their customers had their power cut off due to nonpayment.

(Sources: Southern Environmental Law Center, Georgia Power, Georgia PSC, North Georgia EMC)