Georgia Magazine - February 2025 - 26

COOPERATIVE Concerns
By Meredith Stinson
Ensure your voice is heard
on energy policy in Georgia
O
ther states envy Georgia's electricity
market because it has remained a
dependable, well-planned asset
supporting business development, thanks to
the regulated structure of Georgia's Territorial
Electric Service Act (TESA), passed by the
state legislature in 1973. Because of the
TESA's success, state leaders have enabled
Georgia's utilities to prioritize reliable and
affordable electricity while ensuring that all
Georgians have access to power, no matter
where they live.
This structure, which considers
electricity a necessity for consumers, has
helped Georgia keep electricity rates below
the national average and recruit new
businesses to the state. These low rates and
availability of electricity have become key
factors in the state's economic development
success. For more than 50 years, Georgia's
regulated electricity market structure has
protected consumers and promoted
economic development by allowing utilities
to plan for long-term growth while ensuring that every Georgian
is served.
To maintain this success, Georgians must continue to
support public policy that safeguards the TESA and promotes
efficiency and reliability. The Georgia General Assembly has
done exceptional work over the years to ensure protection of the
electricity market, but it is critical to continue to educate
policymakers about potential threats that could dismantle our
successful market structure and increase the price of electricity.
This is where you-electric cooperative memberconsumers-can
play a vital role. When evaluating any policy
decision, legislators want and need to hear from their
constituents about how an issue will impact their communities
and the state.
In recent years, legislation has been introduced that could
threaten the TESA's role in ensuring reliable power and
affordable rates. As a member whose power bill would be
affected, you are an important voice and a key advocate for safe,
reliable and affordable electricity.
When legislation is introduced that could dismantle
Georgia's electricity market structure, disrupt the way your
electric membership cooperative (EMC) does business and
raise rates for customers, it is important for you to share your
concerns and make your voice heard. The easiest way to receive
the latest information about policies that can affect your power
bill is to sign up for Plugged In Georgia, a platform designed
26 Georgia Magazine February 2025
PLUGGEDINGEORGIA.COM
specifically for EMC member-consumers.
To learn more about how you can protect reliable and
affordable energy in Georgia, visit pluggedingeorgia.com or
scan the QR code (above right) and register on the site.
After you subscribe, you will receive email updates from
Plugged In Georgia when a critical energy issue arises and learn
where it stands in the legislative process. You'll also receive a
link to send messages directly to your elected officials to share
your opinion about proposals that could impact your power bill
and access to reliable service.
Thank you for joining your local EMC to prioritize reliable,
affordable electricity!
Meredith Stinson is a government relations representative
for Tucker-based Georgia Electric Membership Corp.
The Territorial Electric Service Act (TESA) provides a
comprehensive regulatory framework governing retail electric
service in Georgia. It avoids duplication of distribution facilities
and establishes defined service territories in a structure that
values reliability.
The TESA has helped keep rates low. Currently, the state
average is 12.95 cents per kilowatt-hour (kwh), compared to the
national average of 16.1 cents. The TESA requires utilities to
provide electric service to all, even the hard-to-reach " last mile. "
And it provides certainty for consumers with better rate stability,
creates healthy competition for businesses when choosing an
electric provider and allows utilities to plan their long-term
investments in generation and transmission infrastructure.
GEORGIA EMC
ROBIN HENSON
http://www.PLUGGEDINGEORGIA.COM http://www.pluggedingeorgia.com
Georgia Magazine - February 2025

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