Noticed Georgia Power started adding an "Environmental Compliance Charge" of $0.83 per MWh to some of my Savannah clients' bills starting in June. This wasn't on bills before and I can't find any tariff filing or PSC approval for this charge. Has anyone else seen this fee showing up? Seems like it might be unauthorized. The amounts are small individually but add up across multiple accounts.
Georgia Power adding mystery environmental fees
Ray, I'm seeing the same thing on Atlanta area accounts. Started appearing in late June on about 60% of my clients' bills. The fee varies by rate schedule - I'm seeing $0.83/MWh on Schedule PL accounts but $1.12/MWh on Schedule PLM. Called Georgia Power customer service and they claim it's related to coal ash remediation costs but couldn't provide any PSC docket number.
Same charge appearing on Birmingham area accounts served by Alabama Power (Southern Company subsidiary). They're calling it "Environmental Recovery Fee" instead. This smells like Southern Company rolled out an unauthorized charge across multiple subsidiaries hoping no one would notice. I've filed complaints with Georgia PSC and Alabama PSC.
Good catch Val. I searched the Georgia PSC docket system and can't find any recent approval for environmental charges like this. Filed a formal complaint today citing unauthorized charges. If this is hitting multiple Southern Company territories simultaneously, it's definitely coordinated and likely improper.
Update: Alabama PSC issued an order requiring Alabama Power to cease the environmental fee and provide refunds. Georgia PSC might follow suit. Keep documenting these charges everyone - looks like we've got a multi-state unauthorized billing situation.