PSC Candidate Keith Moffett to Voice Distress Against Proposed Utility Rate Increase

Online, September 21, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Georgia Public Service Commissioner candidate Keith Moffett suits up for battle at the upcoming Georgia Public Service Commission meeting in Rome, GA on Wednesday. The issue at hand: utility rate increases for Georgians.

In July, Georgia Power proposed an increase that would raise utility bills in excess of $10 a month - or $120 a year - starting as early as January. More rate hikes could be expected in 2012 and 2013. Atlanta Gas & Light Company (AGLC) has also proposed increases that will be heard in this meeting.

"I have met senior citizens on fixed budgets that cannot afford another increase in their bills. They are having to choose between buying much needed medication and paying the power bill. This is simply unacceptable," expresses Moffett.

According to Moffett, senior citizens are not the only segment of the population that would find it difficult to afford the higher monthly expense. With 10% of Georgians currently unemployed and more families being supported by single income, a rate increase during the current economic crisis poses challenges for all Georgians.

"Instead of raising rates for struggling customers, this is the perfect opportunity for utility companies to explore alternative energy sources such as biomass and solar energy," Moffett says.

The meeting will be at the Rome Civic Center, 400 Civic Center Drive, Rome, Georgia 30161. The hearing will start at 6pm with a short presentation and followed by comments on the proposed Georgia Power and AGLC requests. The commission will make a final decision on the Georgia Power case on December 21.

Keith Moffett is the Democratic candidate running for Public Service Commissioner. His plan for Georgia is to keep energy rates affordable, champion energy independence, and promote sustainability.

For more information, visit http://www.votemoffett.com.