Setting the first hearing and decision schedules for a busy 2019, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved the hearing, filing and decision schedule for the Georgia Power 2019 Integrated Resource Plan(IRP) in Dockets 42310 and 42311 and the expected Atlanta Gas Light Company base rate in Docket 42315. All hearings will begin at 9 a.m. in the Commission hearing room, Room 100, 244 Washington Street, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30334.

As required by law since 1992 (O.C.G.A §46-3A-1), the IRP is the utility’s long-range plan for and forecast of the state’s electric power needs for the next three years. Georgia Power filed its IRP with the Commission last week on January 31, 2019.

The schedule for these proceedings is a follows:

January 31, 2019                               Georgia Power filed its IRP plan

March 14, 2019                                 Georgia Power files direct testimony

April 8-10, 2019                                 Commission hears Georgia Power direct testimony

April 25, 2019                                     Staff and Interveners file direct testimony

May 13-16, 2019                               Commission hears staff and intervener direct testimony

May 30, 2019                                      Georgia Power may file rebuttal testimony

June 11-12, 2019                               Commission hears any rebuttal testimony

June 24, 2019                                     Parties file any briefs and proposed orders

July 11   , 2019                                    Advisory Staff presents recommendations

July 16   , 2019                                    Commission issues decision

O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-2 (c) establishes the statutory deadline for an IRP review as 120 days after the utility remits the fee pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 46-3A-5(c).  Assuming that Georgia Power Company remits the fees in Docket Nos. 42310 and 42311 on March 31, 2019, the statutory deadline for decision in this docket will be July 29, 2019. 

“2019 will be a record-busy year for the Public Service Commission,” said Commission Vice-chair Tim Echols. “We will approve a 20-year energy plan as well as set rates for both the gas and power company— all of which impacts every citizen in the state.”

In other action, the Commission also approved the hearing and filing schedule for the expected Atlanta Gas Light Company rate case. The Company is expected to file its case on June 3, 2019 in Docket 42315. The schedule is as follows:

June 3, 2019                                        Atlanta Gas Light files its request for increase in rates

September 10-12, 2019                  Commission hears Atlanta Gas Light presents direct testimony

September 20, 2019                        Public Interest Advocacy Staff and interveners file direct testimony

October 23-24, 2019                        Commission hears PIA Staff and intervener direct testimony

November 6, 2019                            AGLC may file rebuttal testimony

November 21-22, 2019                   Commission hears AGLC rebuttal testimony

December 9, 2019                            Proposed orders and brief are due

December 19, 2019                          Commission issues decision

The statutory deadline in this proceeding is five months after the effective date of proposed rate changes. O. C. G. A. § 46-2-25 which is January 1, 2020.