With temperatures pushing into the upper 90s and heat index readings topping 100 degrees across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, air conditioners are working overtime — and many households are seeing the consequences when their electric bills arrive. But the amount customers pay for that electricity can differ substantially depending on which utility serves their home. Both Georgia Power and North Georgia EMC serve customers in the local area, and a comparison of their current residential rate structures helps explain why two households using the same amount of electricity may not receive similar bills. The comparison also comes as Georgia Power continues to face criticism from consumer and environmental advocates over the cumulative effect of rate increases in recent years and concerns about who will ultimately pay for the company’s massive expansion of its electric system. Georgia Power’s standard residential rate becomes considerably more expensive as electricity consumption increases during the summer. Under rates in effect beginning June 2026, Georgia Power’s standard residential energy charge for June through September is approximately: Those figures are only the basic energy charges. Georgia Power customers also pay a fuel-cost rider — currently about 3.81 cents per kWh during the summer — along with environmental compliance costs and other applicable charges and fees. That tiered summer structure is particularly important during a heat wave. Once a household…
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