Senate panel backs bill to require large electric customers to bear their own costs; amendment to extend rule to co-ops fails

Senator Hufstedler, chair of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, opened debate on Senate Bill 34, saying the bill would ‘‘codify the law that those responsible for the cost will pay for the cost’’ of electricity used by large new customers such as data centers and would stop those costs from being shifted to residential and small-business ratepayers.

The bill’s author and multiple witnesses framed the issue around recent rule changes adopted by the Georgia Public Service Commission and the growth in demand from data centers. Robert "Bobby" Baker, a former Public Service Commission member who testified in favor of SB 34, told the committee the PSC’s January 23, 2025 rule changes give utilities ‘‘complete discretion’’ and contain ‘‘numerous loopholes’’ that leave existing customers unprotected. He said the rules allow a utility to require additional contract terms for customers with expected peak demand of 100 megawatts or more but do not mandate recovery from the large customer.

Georgia Power told the committee the company’s approach will protect existing customers. Aaron Mitchell, vice president of pricing and planning for Georgia Power, said the…