Major Takeaway for Georgia Residents
Georgia families are facing rising power bills due to massive infrastructure costs (like the $36.8 billion Plant Vogtle overruns). The core principle of this fact sheet is that customers should pay only for electric service, not for utility lobbying, political influence campaigns, or corporate image advertising. The document proposes a new Georgia law to ensure these millions in expenses are paid by shareholders, not by Georgia families and businesses.
Rising Pressure on Georgia Power Bills
Georgia families face significant bill increases, largely driven by the roughly $36.8 billion cost of Plant Vogtle—the most expensive power project in U.S. history—which contributed to a 24% rate increase in 2024. Future rates remain under pressure from AI-driven demand growth, new infrastructure investments, fuel volatility, and ongoing capital recovery approved by the Georgia PSC. Consequently, Georgia should adopt the principle that customers pay only for electric service, not for political influence or corporate branding.
Utilities spend substantial sums on lobbying and image advertising
Investor-owned utilities spend heavily to influence policy and public perception. Nationally, the industry has spent over $3.2 billion on lobbying since 1998. Locally, Georgia Power spent nearly $150 million on goodwill advertising over the last decade, the highest in the country. In a monopoly system where customers cannot switch providers, these activities should be funded by shareholders rather than captive ratepayers.
Other states have already passed these protections
States like Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and California have already enacted laws to prohibit utilities from recovering the following through customer rates:
- Lobbying and political advocacy expenses.
- Trade association dues tied to political activity.
- Public relations, institutional advertising, and corporate sponsorships.
Why these laws are fair and effective
- They protect customers without restricting speech. Utilities retain their right to free speech but must use shareholder funds to pay for it.
- They reinforce conservative ratemaking principles. Lobbying is not a “used and useful” cost of providing essential electric service.
- They improve transparency. Mandatory reporting ensures transparency regarding nonrecoverable political spending.
- They can reduce customer costs. Removing these charges directly reduces the total expenses passed on to customers.
- They increase public trust. Restricting rates to legitimate service costs helps restore public confidence in the utility system.
A common-sense Georgia reform
A Georgia law should prohibit utilities from charging customers for:
- Lobbying and political advocacy.
- Political contributions.
- Trade association dues tied to lobbying.
- Corporate image advertising and public relations campaigns.
- “Educational” advertising intended to influence public opinion or policy.
- Investor-relations and shareholder communications.
The law should also require:
- Annual public disclosure of these expenses.
- PSC auditing authority.
- Financial penalties for improper recovery of political costs.
Bottom line
Georgia customers are already paying more for electricity and face continued upward pressure from major infrastructure and growth-related costs. The PSC should be looking for every reasonable way to protect ratepayers.
Making customers pay for lobbying and propaganda is not one of them.
Utilities can engage in politics if they choose — but shareholders, not Georgia families and businesses, should foot the bill.