The Georgia Public Service Commission (Commission) today unanimously approved a decrease in the Fuel Cost Recovery rate for Georgia Power Company customers that will save the average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours about $5.00 a month for a total reduction of 14 percent on their monthly bill. The Commission approved an agreement between the Company and the Commission Public Advocacy Interest Staff that increased the reduction from the Company’s original filing on September 18, 2015. The Company’s filing indicates the falling price of natural gas is a key reason for the decrease.
 
“We are pleased we can lower Georgia Power customers’ rates and give consumers a price break, especially at this time of year,” said Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton.
 
"Keeping rates low, making our military bases more resilient, growing solar in Georgia without a subsidy, protecting our gas pipelines, and providing needed services for the hearing impaired--all important duties of the Georgia PSC," said Commissioner Tim Echols. "It is my honor to serve my fellow citizens in this capacity."

Under state law Georgia Power’s cost of fuel used for electric generation is passed along to customers on a dollar for dollar basis but the Company is not allowed to make a profit on the cost of fuel. The Docket Number in this proceeding is 39638.
 
In other action, the Commission approved a Procedural and Scheduling Order  (PSO) in Docket Number 39971 that provides a timetable for filing testimony and briefs and conducting hearings in the proposed Southern Company acquisition of AGL Resources, the parent company of Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC). The Commission has regulatory authority over AGLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources.
 
The PSO also outlines the issues that the parties should consider as they file testimony and briefs. Those issues include but are not limited to:

-Whether the merger is in the public interest.
-Whether the merger will result in synergies, and if so, what is the appropriate allocation of any savings realized by such synergies?

-Whether the merger of AGL Resources with Southern Company will adversely affect Georgia ratepayers and/or competition among gas marketers, competition in the provision of electricity to consumers or commercial end users, competition in the transportation of gas, increase the costs of transmission of electricity, competition in the provision of electricity and gas to consumers or commercial end users, or among electric generation sources.
 
The schedule of review and hearings is as follows:

December 17, 2015         Joint Petitioners file direct testimony
March 15, 2016  Commission hears direct testimony of parties
March 30, 2016  Staff and other parties file testimony
April 14, 2016                     Commission hears testimony of Staff and other parties
April 22, 2016                     Joint petitioners file rebuttal testimony
May 3, 2016                        Commission holds hearing on rebuttal testimony
May 17, 2016                      Briefs due from all parties
May 24, 2016                      The Commission issues its decision