SB 94, bipartisan legislation aimed at giving families a stronger voice in decisions about their power bills, passed the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee by an 8-3 vote. 

The bill is now headed to the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senator Matt Brass, 6th District - Newnam

Why Do We Need This Bill?

Our power bills are too high. Georgia’s Public Service Commissioners have consistently approved proposals that increase your power bill by nearly $43 a month, and consumers have had no voice in the decision-making. 

It is time to balance the scales and give utility customers representation!

What is a Consumer Utility Counsel (CUC)?

• Georgia is one of only four states with no CUC, a state agency designated to represent ratepayer interests in utility regulatory proceedings. 
• Business and utility interests invest heavily in rate proceedings to achieve their desired outcomes because lobbying works. Consumers have no lobbyists. 

What is Georgia’s CUC history?

• Georgia’s CUC was a department that existed in the state Consumer Protection Division from the 1970s until it was defunded in 2008 by Governor Perdue as part of the Great Recession. 
• At the time of its repeal in 2010, every PSC Commissioner was quoted in an AJC article as saying the role the CUC had was of critical importance.

Why have a CUC – doesn’t the Public Service Commission protect ratepayers?

• The PSC is responsible for regulating public utilities. To fulfill that mandate, the PSC must weigh evidence presented by both utilities and third parties similar to a court proceeding. 
• The PSC cannot be responsible for both weighing evidence (as the utility regulator) and supplying that evidence (via an internal function like PIA Staff). 
• The results tell the story: since 2010, consumer rates have increased nearly 9 times faster than industrial rates have increased, and twice the rate of inflation.
• In 2024, nearly 190,000 GA Power households were disconnected for inability to pay, about 18,000 every month. This is almost 9 times the national disconnect rate of 1%. 
• GA Power pushes hard for new generation because the state of Georgia richly rewards them for building new generation, a legacy of 20th-century priorities. Until the state adopts a new utility business model that aligns with modern goals, a state-funded CUC is a critical voice in the regulatory process.

What Can You Do?

Contact members of the Senate Rules Committee and ask them to balance the scales at the PSC — Vote Yes on SB 94. An email and phone script is provided for your convenience. Click the name of the Senator for contact information.