Working on a Georgia Power commercial account and finding charges that don't seem to match the published Schedule PL tariff. There's something called Environmental Compliance Cost Recovery showing up for $347 last month. Anyone know where this comes from? - Kevin T.
Hidden fees in Georgia Power Schedule PL tariff?
Kevin, that's one of their riders. Georgia Power has about fifteen different riders and adjustment clauses that aren't always obvious in the main rate schedule. Environmental Compliance is PSC-approved for coal plant retrofits and other EPA compliance costs. Check the back pages of the tariff book - all the riders are listed there. - Leslie N.
Leslie's correct about the riders. Georgia Power is notorious for this. You'll also see Nuclear Construction Cost Recovery, Demand Side Management charges, and several others. The PSC approves these separately from base rates so they change at different times. Always download the complete tariff book, not just the rate schedule page. The rider section is usually 30-40 pages in. - Randy Dawson
Found it! You're both right - there's a whole section of riders I missed. The Environmental Compliance rider is currently at $0.00456 per kWh. That explains the $347 charge on 76,000 kWh usage. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! - Kevin T.
Alabama Power does the same thing. These Southern Company utilities love their riders. Just when you think you understand the rate, there's another adjustment clause hiding somewhere. - Val M.
Mississippi Power too. I keep a spreadsheet of all the current rider rates because they change so frequently. Environmental Compliance, Storm Damage, Coal Ash remediation - it never ends. - Cora J.