Just got a client statement showing a new "System Reliability Rider" at 1.2% of base charges. Georgia Power didn't send any notice that I can find. The tariff shows it was approved back in June but I'm just now seeing it hit bills. Anyone else in Georgia territory catching this? My client's August bill jumped $47 just from this rider alone on their 150kW demand.
Georgia Power's new infrastructure rider - anyone seeing this?
Derek - I'm seeing the same thing here in Birmingham on Alabama Power bills (same parent company). They call it a "Grid Modernization Surcharge" but it's essentially the same 1.2% hit. No advance notification to customers that I saw either. Pretty sneaky rollout if you ask me.
This is exactly why I tell all my clients to flag ANY new line items immediately. These Southern Company subsidiaries love to slip in riders without fanfare. Ed here in Nashville - we don't have Georgia Power but TVA pulls similar stunts with their fuel cost adjustments.
Val and Ed - exactly my point. The PSC filing shows they requested this back in March, got approval in June, but first bills didn't hit until August. Three month delay with zero customer notification. I'm challenging this with the client - might be worth a complaint to the PSC about the lack of transparency.
You guys are lucky it's only 1.2%. FirstEnergy here in Ohio has been pushing through infrastructure riders at 2-3% annually. Their "Distribution Modernization Rider" alone added $89 to my biggest client's July bill. At least they give 30 days notice, but that's cold comfort when the rates keep climbing.
Jim - 2-3% is brutal. The Southern Company subsidiaries tend to be more subtle but they add up. Between the reliability rider, fuel adjustments, and their ongoing "Storm Recovery Surcharge" from 2014, we're looking at 4-5% in total extra charges beyond base rates. Death by a thousand cuts.
Update: Filed a complaint with Georgia PSC about the notification issue. Their response was basically "30 days notice isn't required for riders under 2%." Convenient interpretation of their own rules. Still worth pushing back when you see these - sometimes the squeaky wheel gets results.