Georgia PSC approves new data center rates to safeguard residential customers

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has unanimously approved new rules for Georgia Power regarding billing for large data centers, which consume significant amounts of energy. Under the new regulations, any data center using more than 100 megawatts of energy will be charged separately from standard customers, ensuring that residential customers are not burdened by the additional costs of these high-load users. The rules also introduce longer contract lengths, potentially extending from five to 15 years, with all contracts needing PSC approval. This decision comes amid the rapid expansion of data centers in Georgia, driven by the growth of cloud computing and AI, which has raised concerns among residents about economic and environmental impacts. PSC Chairman Jason Shaw emphasized that the changes aim to protect existing Georgia Power customers from cost shifting, while also accommodating the growing demands of data centers. As of now, over 50 major data centers are already operating in the state, with more expected to follow as demand increases.