(WSB Radio) -- The Cosumer Federation of America says the cost to generate electricity from coal-fired and natural gas power plants as well as the price tag for building new nuclear facilities and refurbishing an aging power grid is forcing utilities around the country to increase their rates by an average of 29%.
The organization's Mark Cooper tells USA Today "cosumers now face a tough reality on electricity."
Georgia Power customers are not immune from this national trend. In May, the Public Service Commission approved a $215 million fuel surcharge rate hike that takes effect this month. It will increase the monthly residential electric bill by about $3.
Georgia Power will use the funds to buy coal and natural gas to fuel its power plants around the state.
The company has also said it may ask the PSC to allow the utility to pre-bill customers for the billions of dollars it will take to add two new nuclear reactors to the facility already operating at Plant Vogtle.
16 June 2008
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