Power rates going up

Rates are going up for Georgia Power's 2.3 million customers.

The deal approved Tuesday by the Georgia Public Service Commission would mean about $5.24 more on the average monthly household bill of $94.55.

Rate increases would be frozen for about three years after.

"It will help us maintain competitive rates for our customers," says Lynn Wallace, a Georgia Power spokeswoman. "It will also help us with the critical infrastructure that we need."

The new rates will generate about $323 million, and will take effect in January.

Industrial groups and the governor's office agreed with the deal.

But a group of major retail businesses refused to sign off on it.

Georgia Power had initially asked for a rate increase that would have generated $407 million, with more in the following year.

That would have potentially doubled the increase for consumers.

You can view public documents related to the rate increases at www.psc.state.ga.us/media/ratecase.asp