Georgians are about to get hit with another utility rate increase.
Channel 2 Action News reported earlier this week about Georgia Power’s rate increase. Now, your gas bill is going up, too.
The increase will impact more than 1.5 million gas customers.
“It’s unfortunate they happen right at the same time, and of course in the perfect world we would never have to increase the rates,” said Chuck Eaton, commissioner with the Georgia Public Service Commission.
[READ MORE: Georgia Power electric bills to increase starting in January]
This year the Public Service Commission increased gas and electricity rates in the same week.
Starting in January, you'll pay $6 a month more for electricity and now $2.50 more a month for gas.
Eaton said mandates from federal lawmakers is one reason for the increase.
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"We’re dealing with more and more regulations out of Washington. They’re putting more and more mandates on us. Those cost money. It cost money to expand the system. It cost money for safety," Eaton said.
Eaton said Atlanta Gas Light wanted a $3.80 increase, but was forced to compromise.
"We definitely lowered what they asked for. Nobody gets everything they want in these situations, but as I said before, I think we struck a healthy balance," Eaton said.
Consumer groups, like Georgia Watch, aren't happy with the double rate hike in one week, but are pleased the utility companies didn't get the full amount they asked for.
"As a consumer advocate, we prefer no rate increase ever but we're pleased that the size of the increase they approved will be lower than the company originally proposed," Georgia Watch’s Liz Coyle said.
Atlanta Gas Light wanted an overall $90 million a year increase, but the commission lowered it to $65 million.
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