Georgia Energy Co. (GPC) is proposing a major charge hike that may cost Georgians a further $16.29 monthly on common, in addition to a steep $200 interconnection charge for rooftop photo voltaic prospects. Evaluation from the Photo voltaic Power Industries Affiliation (SEIA) doesn’t assist the utility’s declare of cost-shifting to non-solar prospects. Additional, these new prices could be added to what’s already being characterised as a drastic overcharge of utility prospects.
In accordance with new joint testimony led by SEIA, for the final 11 years, GPC has been overcharging all utility prospects, far exceeding the income stage set by the Georgia Public Service Fee (PSC).
“When utilities really feel threatened by prospects selecting photo voltaic and exercising their vitality freedom, all ratepayers get squeezed,” mentioned Kevin Lucas, SEIA’s senior director of utility regulation and coverage and lead writer of the joint testimony. “Georgia Energy Firm has been over-collecting from Georgian’s electrical payments by a median of $26 yearly during the last 11 years. These extreme fees add as much as $1.87 billion in extra 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 charge hikes and charge construction modifications that may penalize photo voltaic prospects 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 Power Industries Affiliation (GASEIA), options SEIA’s evaluation and focuses on how the proposed charge modifications are meant to confuse prospects with demand fees which are obscure and troublesome for patrons to handle.
The evaluation reveals that almost all prospects would have saved cash on a distinct charge construction, however the PSC has not held any hearings to contemplate a less expensive construction.
SEIA’s evaluation additionally reveals that GPC’s over-collection fees peaked in 2020 and 2021 and led to almost $500 million in extra income. This occurred as greater than 131,000 GPC prospects had their energy disconnected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Georgia households are already feeling the pressure of inflation, and Georgia Energy’s charge hikes are each pointless and exorbitant,” mentioned Allison Kvien, Vote Photo voltaic’s Southeast Regulatory Director. “The Public Service Fee has a chance 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 vitality freedom over the revenue margins of monopoly utilities.”
“GASEIA helps SEIA’s testimony on this charge case and appreciates their continued assist for the expansion of photo voltaic in Georgia,” mentioned Thatcher Younger, GASEIA board member and vice chairman of enterprise improvement at Velo Photo voltaic. “Additional, GASEIA is asking the Fee to revive and broaden month-to-month netting to help Georgia Energy prospects in recouping their funding in these extraordinary financial instances.”
The joint testimony urges the PSC to reject GPC’s proposed $200 interconnection charge for photo voltaic prospects. The testimony additionally urges the PSC to strengthen its oversight of utilities to forestall over-collection from ratepayers and empower buyer selection.
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