The Georgia Public Service Commission began hearings Monday on a proposed deal by Georgia Power to raise monthly customer rates to further finance the company’s nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta.
Georgia Power announced the deal in August and if approved by commissioners, customers could see a $9 increase to their monthly power bills. The two reactors are the first built from scratch in the United States in decades but are currently $17 billion over budget and seven years late. Unit 3 went into operation in July and the completion of Unit 4 is expected next spring.
The hearings will continue through Wednesday and a vote is scheduled for the $7.5 billion proposal on December 19.
