Georgia Energy Co. (GPC) is proposing a big price hike that may cost Georgians an extra $16.29 per 30 days on common, in addition to a steep $200 interconnection charge for rooftop photo voltaic clients. Evaluation from the Photo voltaic Vitality Industries Affiliation (SEIA) doesn’t help the utility’s declare of cost-shifting to non-solar clients. Additional, these new prices could be added to what’s already being characterised as a drastic overcharge of utility clients.
In line with new joint testimony led by SEIA, for the final 11 years, GPC has been overcharging all utility clients, far exceeding the income stage set by the Georgia Public Service Fee (PSC).
“When utilities really feel threatened by clients selecting photo voltaic and exercising their power freedom, all ratepayers get squeezed,” mentioned Kevin Lucas, SEIA’s senior director of utility regulation and coverage and lead creator of the joint testimony. “Georgia Energy Firm has been over-collecting from Georgian’s electrical payments by a mean of $26 yearly over the past 11 years. These extreme expenses add as much as $1.87 billion in further income for the utility on the expense of all Georgia residents and companies. If that wasn’t sufficient, GPC is now asking state regulators to approve extra price hikes and price construction modifications that may penalize photo voltaic clients and eradicate decisions for ratepayers to manage their payments.”
Abstract of findings
The joint testimony, submitted with Vote Photo voltaic and the Georgia Photo voltaic Vitality Industries Affiliation (GASEIA), options SEIA’s evaluation and focuses on how the proposed price modifications are meant to confuse clients with demand expenses which are obscure and tough for patrons to handle.
The evaluation exhibits that almost all clients would have saved cash on a special price construction, however the PSC has not held any hearings to think about a more cost effective construction.
SEIA’s evaluation additionally exhibits that GPC’s over-collection expenses peaked in 2020 and 2021 and led to just about $500 million in further income. This occurred as greater than 131,000 GPC clients had their energy disconnected in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Georgia households are already feeling the pressure of inflation, and Georgia Energy’s price hikes are each unnecessary and exorbitant,” mentioned Allison Kvien, Vote Photo voltaic’s Southeast Regulatory Director. “The Public Service Fee has a possibility to guard the rights of ratepayers to decide on photo voltaic for his or her properties of companies. I urge them to rise to the event and prioritize power freedom over the revenue margins of monopoly utilities.”
“GASEIA helps SEIA’s testimony on this price case and appreciates their continued help for the expansion of photo voltaic in Georgia,” mentioned Thatcher Younger, GASEIA board member and vp of enterprise growth at Velo Photo voltaic. “Additional, GASEIA is asking the Fee to revive and develop month-to-month netting to help Georgia Energy clients in recouping their funding in these extraordinary financial occasions.”
The joint testimony urges the PSC to reject GPC’s proposed $200 interconnection charge for photo voltaic clients. The testimony additionally urges the PSC to strengthen its oversight of utilities to stop over-collection from ratepayers and empower buyer selection.
Source link
