Ga. Power rate hike hearing is Tuesday

ATLANTA (AP) - The Georgia Public Service Commission's hearing on a proposed Georgia Power rate increase is Tuesday.

Commission spokesman Bill Edge said last week the hearing will feature a public comment session on the utility's plan to increase rates beginning in January 2014.

Edge says Georgia Power filed a request in June to increase rates by $280 million - which translates to a monthly fee of about $4.55 for residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

In an alternate three-year proposal, the company requested the commission to approve a plan to allow the utility to increase its retail rates by $482 million - which would be an increase of about $7.84 per month for customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

Edge says public testimony may continue Wednesday.