The Public Service Commission heard testimony Monday morning from several groups opposed to Georgia Power's billion dollar rate hike request. The PSC's advocacy staff also says the amount is too high.

In pre-filed testimony, the PSC staff says Georgia Power should get less than half of what it's asking for.

The advocacy staff also opposed a new mechanism that would make it easier for the company to raise rates if profits go down or lower rates if they go up.

Jim Clarkson is with Rescource Supply Management - one of several groups speaking out against the proposed increase today.

Clarkson works with some colleges and manufacturing plants in the state.

"Every company needs to focus on cost cutting in order to maintain their profits and if their profits are automatic, well this removes that incentive and hence they become wasteful and inefficient."

Georgia Power says the rate increase which amounts to about $11 more on the average customer's monthly bill would cover infrastructure improvements.

Tags: Atlanta, Georgia Power, PSC, profits, Georgia Public Service Commission, GPB, rate hike, Jim Clarkson, cost cutting, infrastructure, advocacy staff, Resource Supply Management