Georgia Power makes deal for more electrical generation, pledging downward rate pressure [Video]

Georgia Power Co. announced a deal with regulatory staff to build and buy more electrical generation ahead of schedule on Wednesday, pledging that the deal will reduce rates for existing customers.

“We expect the revenues associated with energy sales to incremental large load customers will put downward pressure on rates for all customers,” Aaron Abramovitz, Georgia Power’s chief financial officer, testified Wednesday before the Georgia Public Service Commission.

But environmentalists and customer advocates questioned a plan that would let the unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co. buy power and build new fossil fuel plants without going through a competitive process. Using those sources would mean that Georgia Power emits more climate-altering carbon dioxide than using solar generation, other renewable sources and conservation.

“This is a fossil fuel bonanza that skips the regulatory processes in place to protect billpayers,” Jennifer Whitfield, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said in a statement. “Not only …