Monday, July 31, 2023–10:07 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Georgia Power has announced that Plant Vogtle Unit 3 has entered commercial operation and is now serving customers and the State of Georgia.
Vogtle Unit 3 is the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in over 30 years and can power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses.
Once all four units are online, the Plant Vogtle site will be the largest generator of clean energy in the nation and support continued growth in Georgia as more industries, businesses, and families come to the state.
However, there is a cost.
Around $5 will be added to the average power bill.
In addition, Georgia Power had a rate case in January that added $3.60 to your bill and there was a fuel recovery case before the Georgia Public Service Commission in June that added $15.90 for the next three years.
Tony Ferguson with Georgia Power recently gave an update to the Rome City and Floyd County Commissions and told them he knows that affordability is a concern in the community.
“There are really four large customer groups we are focused on,” he said. “Those are senior citizens, those with special needs and circumstances, income-qualified, and those with that are displaced.”
There are options available for those having a hard time paying their power bills.
“In addition to the seven rate options that our customers can take advantage of, we also have a senior citizens discount that is up to $33.50 now, Ferguson said. “That’s for seniors over the age of 65 who meet the income threshold.”
Georgia Power also partners with the federal Low Income Energy Assistant or LIHEAP program.
“We work a lot locally with the Tallatoona Community Action Partnership to funnel these LIHEAP funds out,” Ferguson added. “LIHEAP actually allotted another $2 million earlier this year. So, our customer service organization partnered with Tallatoona and we identified a little over 3,900 customers in Floyd County who were eligible for this money.”
There is also Project Share with the Salvation Army that allows customers to donate to help others with Georgia Power matching those funds.
This past year, those funds equaled nearly $39,000 in Floyd County.
You can get more information on energy assistance on the Georgia Power website.