Bigger-than-expected storm damage is causing Georgia Power to seek more money from customers for repairs.

The Southern Company subsidiary wants to collect about $37 million annually over a three-year period to cover the cost of repairing its electricity system after storms.

That's a doubling of the current collections.

Power company officials say Georgia suffered a series of expensive storms. Ice storms in January 2011 reeked havoc with power equipment. An outbreak of tornadoes in April 2011 also caused extensive damage.

Regulators on the Public Service Commission are considering the request as part of a larger rate plan.

A decision is expected in December.

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