Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Commission Districts
To Approve the Continuation of the Governing Authority of DeKalb County as a Member of the “Local Government Coalition” and to Intervene in Georgia Power's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update Process
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward C. “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
On August 6, 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Commission approved agenda item 2022-1949, the Continuation of the Governing Authority of DeKalb County to Intervene in the 2022 Public Service Commission Rate Case, as a Member of the “Local Government Coalition.” This coalition consisted of DeKalb County and four other jurisdictions (City of Atlanta, City of Decatur, Athens-Clark County, and City of Savannah) and was the first ever municipal coalition to intervene on behalf of ratepayers in an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Rate Case before the Public Service Commission.
This agenda item seeks to reaffirm DeKalb County’s participation as an intervenor with our coalition partners (City of Atlanta, City of Decatur, Athens-Clark County, and City of Savannah) in Georgia Power's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update Process and any subsequent Rate Case requests for the purpose of being able to fully participate in all proceedings before the Public Service Commission.
NEED/IMPACT:
Georgia Power has submitted a 2023 IRP Update before the Public Service Commission to seek multiple additional thermal resources to meet newly projected power demands that were not projected in 2022.
The Local Government Coalition seeks to intervene, and believes that this proceeding will be an opportunity to:
• Advocate and advance more roof top solar and possibly “Net Metering”.
• Allow for a larger role for “Demand Side Management” technology such as smart thermostats
• Support lower rates for “energy burdened’ consumers, especially low income, seniors, handicapped and medically burdened residents.
DeKalb County seeks to continue its participation in the “Local Government Coalition” during Georgia Power’s 2023 IRP Update to achieve the goals listed above for DeKalb residents.
On December 4, 2023 Georgia Power’s first notice of filing with the Georgia Public Service Commission for its 2023 IRP Update was published in the AJC. Those wishing to intervene must file an application within 30 days of first notice, making the deadline January 2, 2024. This agenda item confirms DeKalb County’s intentions to rejoin the Local Government Coalition partners in intervening to ensure declaration is met by the deadline of January 2, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact would be nominal if any. In the previous intervention, the coalition hired an expert witness (a utility rate specialist), and the cost was split amongst the coalition members. The cost to DeKalb County was approximately $200.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the continuation of the Governing Authority of DeKalb County as a Member of the “Local Government Coalition” and to Intervene in Georgia Power's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update Process and authorize the chief executive officer or designee to execute all necessary documents.