Georgia
State utility regulators approve Georgia Power plan to use fossil fuels to power data centers
(Georgia Recorder) — The Georgia Public Service Commission has approved Georgia Power’s controversial updated plans to significantly expand its generation capacity by investing in a heavier reliance on fossil fuels and adding more renewable energy over the next several years.
In a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, state regulators approved Georgia Power’s latest plans to build natural gas or oil-burning generators and solar battery energy facilities in an effort to meet increasing demands from data centers and other large industrial users in the next decade. Regulators were warned by several clean energy groups against allowing Georgia Power to build three fossil fuel burning units at Plant Yates located in Coweta County.
The PSC approved plans that allow Georgia Power to bypass the normal construction bidding process at Yates in order to quickly construct units designed to produce electricity for another 40 years. Georgia Power officials also say the company it will not seek to recover from its customers any construction costs overruns, unless it’s caused by events beyond the company’s reasonable control, such as natural disasters.
Bryan Jacob, Solar Program Director at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said that the failure of Georgia Power and PSC to provide more clean energy options will mean that customers will be squeezed when fuel prices spike.
Last year, the average Georgia Power residential customer’s bill increased by $15.90 per month for the state’s largest electricity supplier to offset unrecovered fuel costs and to cover new fuel expenses over the next two years.
“Georgia Power customers’ bills have gone up four times since the beginning of last year — with two more increases already approved for the next eight months” Jacob said in a statement. “But that fuel cost adjustment was the largest increase of them all.
“Fossil gas prices may be low now, and that may have lulled the staff and/or commission into a state of complacency,” Jacob said. “But rest assured, fossil gas prices are volatile and they WILL go up again.”
RELATED State PSC members could avoid voters for years as meter runs on GA Power rate hikes
Officials from Georgia Power and the PSC have praised the latest agreement as a way to minimize the financial burden on residential customers while also providing enough resources for the utility to continue providing reliable electricity to several million customers.
Georgia Power is projecting the updated plans will save the typical residential customer about $2.89 on their monthly bills from 2026 to 2028.
“At Georgia Power, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we are unwavering in our commitment to provide them with clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy,” Aaron Abramovitz, Chief Financial Officer for Georgia Power, said in a news release. “The stipulated agreement benefits all customers, and approval of this agreement will preserve and protect the reliability and quality of electric service our customers expect and support the continued economic development of our state – all while placing downward pressure on rates for all customers.”
The debate over Georgia Power’s utility rates has intensified over the last several years as customers faced hikes in electric base rates and paid for soaring fuel costs, coal ash cleanup and construction overages at Plant Vogtle. The average Georgia Power residential bill will jump a total of $44 a month over two years, including $16 to pay for spikes in methane gas and coal costs.
The PSC approved Georgia Power’s updated resource plan by a 4-1 vote. The plan is typically updated every three years, but the timetable for this year’s proposal came less than two years after the PSC considered the company’s most recent resource plan.
Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald cast the lone vote against Georgia Power’s updated plans.
Commissioner Fitz Johnson said Tuesday that in an off-cycle year, it is uncommon for Georgia Power to amend its integrated plan. Johnson, who would need to win an election in 2025 to keep his seat, also conveyed a message to Georgia Power officials that ratepayers cannot continue to be burdened with rate increases.
“That message needs to go back loud and clear,” Johnson said.
Georgia Power also is planning to bring online more renewable energy with the addition of a 500 megawatt solar facility with battery storage by the end of 2026 and plans to build another 500 megawatts of solar battery storage by early 2027.
The company wants to extend purchasing agreements for a natural gas-fired generator in Pace, Florida and to continue buying 750 megawatts of electricity from Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary. Southern Company is also the owner of Georgia Power.
Georgia Power has agreed not to collect any additional fees from ratepayers until 2026 on excess electricity it purchases.
Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Jennifer Whitfield, who represented Georgia Interfaith Power and Light in the proceedings, said Georgia Power rate payers will be responsible for the bulk of the expected $3 billion investment needed to complete the projects approved on Tuesday. Plant Yates is expected to account for half the total cost.
Analysis from SELC found that Georgia Power could likely meet realistic demands in growth by relying more on renewable energy sources like solar.
“(Yates) units will have a 46-year life span, potentially locking in Georgia’s reliance on fossil fuels for decades,” Whitfield said. “The agreement also includes buying energy from Georgia Power’s sister company Mississippi Power, a move that will delay the retirement of Plant Daniel, a coal-burning power plant.”
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A large Heat Dome will dominate the weather pattern for South Georgia this week. A Heat Dome is directly related to a large ridge, or a northward bulge, in the jet stream. Underneath this upper-level ridge, air sinks and warms as it drops to the surface.
This creates a sprawling surface high pressure, underneath the ridge, as hot air is continually reinforced at the surface. This will drive temperatures into the mid 90s through the rest of this week with lots of sunshine and slim chances for rainfall.
To stay updated on all the latest forecasts and weather, follow WALB News 10 Weather on Facebook and X (Twitter).
Click here to see all the latest weather headlines and here to view the First Alert Radar. To keep up with all things South Georgia weather, click to download the WALB First Alert Weather app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.
Georgia
First Alert Forecast: Heat advisory issued for parts of east Georgia amidst building heat wave
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Heat will be the main story over the next week with highs in the 90s every day.
TODAY: MID-90S WITH HEAT INDEX NEAR 105
Heat advisory for Jasper, Putnam, Greene, and Morgan counties from Noon – 8 p.m.
High temperatures will reach the mid-90s across most of the area, with the combination of heat and humidity creating heat index values near 105 in east-central Georgia counties under the advisory. Those in the advisory area should limit outdoor activities, drink plenty of fluids, and take frequent breaks in air-conditioning or shade.
REST OF THE WEEK: PERSISTENT HEAT
Hot temperatures will persist through Saturday, with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values remaining above 100 degrees most afternoons. Overnight lows in the mid to upper 70s will provide little relief.
Chance for Afternoon Storms
While the heat will dominate the forecast, there is a chance for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms each day, with the best opportunity Monday through Wednesday. Any storms that develop could produce frequent lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds. These storms may provide brief relief from the heat, but most of the week will remain hot and humid.
Heat Safety Reminder
Extended time in this heat can be dangerous. Stay hydrated, take breaks in air-conditioned spaces, and check on elderly neighbors and family members. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heating hours, typically between noon and 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
-
World5 minutes agoShipping giant warns Strait of Hormuz chaos is ‘new normal’ as Tehran shifts 4M barrels
-
Politics12 minutes agoJacob Frey praises Somali community as Minnesota faces renewed scrutiny over fraud investigations
-
Sports20 minutes agoJ.T. Poston posts a 12 on a single hole at Travelers Championship in stunning meltdown
-
Technology27 minutes agoMidjourney’s wild body scanner scans you in water
-
Business30 minutes agoWhy tech stocks are getting hammered
-
Entertainment35 minutes agoSigh. Again? ‘Love Island USA’ confirms another contestant fired over apparent use of racial slur
-
Politics45 minutes agoCommentary: This California bill is so bad it has me agreeing with a Trump Republican
-
Sports57 minutes agoWife, kids of Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas in Caracas when earthquakes hit Venezuela
