4 PM Power Outage Update

20,000 metro Atlantans and north Georgians are still without power right now after snow and ice damage yesterday and overnight. Hardest-hit are Jackson and Madison counties, where up to 7 inches of snow fell. At the height of the storm, approximately 45,000 customers were without power due mainly to the weight of snow and winds causing trees to fall on power lines. The Georgia Electric Membership Corporation has 70 crews working around the clock to restore power. It could take well into tonight to restore all power. Students in at least 50 school districts across central Georgia are enjoying a snow day.

Near-record power rate hikes

Customers who use Tennessee Valley Authority power are expected to see their largest rate increase in three decades. Starting tomorrow, TVA rates will jump by 20%. That will average $16 to $20 a month per residential bill. Virtually all of TVA's distributors in Georgia are expected to pass the higher rates on to their customers.

Southeast sets power record

High temperatures yesterday helped set record-high power usage levels in the Southeast. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that the demand for electricity from Southern Company peaked yesterday afternoon at 39,000 megawatts. That’s nearly 1,000 megawatts more than the previous record set last August. Southern Co. has 4.3 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity.