Georgia’s Energy Burden

Georgian’s power bills have gone up by almost $45 in the last year.

These power bills are annoying for all of us, but when a power bill is too high relative to income it becomes a choice between electricity, rent, food, and medical bills.

These power bill increases are related to a larger issue around Data Centers, Gas Pipeline Expansion, and the Georgia Public Service Commission. Learn more about these issues by following the links below:

An Overview of Georgia's Power System and Grid Solar! A Bright Idea.Three Types of Solar Explained Power and the Public Service Commission Learn about Data Centers Proposed Gas Pipeline Expansion Presentation on Energy Burden

A graph showing electricity prices in Georgia from 1990 to 2023. It is broken down by residential (highest prices), commercial (middle), and industrial (lowest prices) — Residential, commercial, and industrial electricity prices for Georgia Power customers. The dotted line at 2010 indicates the first time rates were changed after the Consumer Utility Commission was "paused" in 2008 for budget reasons. From our partners at SELC, using numbers from https://psc.ga.gov/search/facts-document/?documentId=216861

Energy assistance programs

Georgia Power assistance programs: www.georgiapower.com/assistance.

Income Qualified Discount (formerly the senior citizen discount): You may qualify if you:

Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Participate in HUD Section 8.
Are 65 or older and meet income requirements.
Get more details at GeorgiaPower.com/energydiscount.

EASE Program: This program offers free energy-saving upgrades, such as attic insulation and smart thermostats, to help keep your home comfortable and lower your bills. Get more details at georgiapower.com/EASE.

Georgia Power just lowered its fuel rate. So why are power bills still high? | WABE | 26 June, 2026

Plug-in solar can reduce energy costs. Could it catch on in Georgia? | AJC | 6 Apr, 2026

Public Service Commission approves Georgia Power fuel rate decrease | WABE | 29 May, 2026

PSC staff and Georgia Power propose deal to lower energy bills | WABE | 12 May, 2026

Georgia Power agrees to modest bill relief, lower profits in fuel and storm costs settlement – Southern Environmental Law Center | 12 May, 2026

Advocates question Georgia Power fuel rates amid data center boom | Georgia Recorder/WABE | 7 May, 2026

How Ratepayers Pay for Soaring Utility Profits | Energy and Policy Institute | 12 Mar, 2026

Extreme heat and high power bills leave Georgia Power customers ‘scrambling’

Solar for All Program Cuts Hit G.O.P and Democrat Voters Alike | The New York Times | 11 Oct, 2025

More Americans face power shutoffs due to unpaid bills | The Washington Post | 24 Nov, 2025

Fueling Debt: How Rising Utility Costs Are Overwhelming American Families | 17 Nov, 2025

Winter Heating Costs Expected to Jump 9.2%, Putting Millions of Families at Risk | National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) | 16 Dec, 2025