Debate heats up over Georgia Power's data center power plan
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Georgia utility regulators will decide Friday whether to green-light Georgia Power's plan to massively increase its energy generation to accommodate a wave of data center development and AI's growth.
Why it matters: The Georgia Public Service Commission vote comes as political leaders and the utility navigate increasing voter concerns about electric bills.
- Clean energy groups and consumer advocates who oppose the plan say Georgia Power and agency officials are making a big bet on tech that could fail to live up to its world-changing hype, leaving customers on the hook.
Catch up quick: A tentative proposal hammered out last week between Georgia Power and PSC staff allows the utility to generate 10,000 megawatts of new electricity — enough to power 8.3 million homes, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Zoom in: Georgia Power's more than $15 billion plan to meet the increased demand includes new methane gas-burning units at Plants Bowen, McIntosh, and Wansley, stored energy, solar and electricity purchased from other power plants.
- However, the final price tag could be several times higher after factoring in financing and fuel costs, Bobby Baker, a Republican former PSC commissioner, told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
The other side: Georgia Power, which this summer agreed to halt base rate hikes for three years, plans to use revenue from data center energy usage to put "downward pressure" on ratepayers' bills.
Yes, but: Critics note the rate hike freeze comes after years of increases to power bills, and say the estimated benefit — a roughly $8.50-a-month reduction — isn't guaranteed and won't become available for several years.
The intrigue: Opponents say the public needs more time to digest the deal. They want the PSC to delay the vote until two newly elected commissioners — the first Democrats on the five-member commission in two decades — take their seats next month.
Zoom out: Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson's surprise statewide wins over GOP incumbents in last month's elections showed Georgia Republicans and Georgia Power that voters are feeling pinched by rising energy bills.
- In addition, rural communities are increasingly skeptical about uber-thirsty data centers replacing agricultural land to power a technology that even ardent supporters acknowledge could render some jobs obsolete.
What's next: Watch the proceedings starting at 9:30am.