Georgia's largest provider of electricity says retiring coal will have to wait due to massive energy needs from new manufacturing but mainly from internet data centers.

At the onset of Georgia Power’s rate case on Tuesday, lawyers advocating for the public’s interest pressed company officials to disclose whether future plans beyond the 2022 rate case could drive up customers’ bills by 45% over the next several years.

Georgia Power’s proposal for a $200 increase to the average household’s yearly electricity costs is set to kick into high gear with a series of public airings before state regulators beginning Tuesday.

Inflation eased slightly in August thanks to falling gasoline prices, but the cost of many essentials continues to climb, including soaring power bills that are straining family budgets.

Unpaid electric bills ballooned during the pandemic to more than $27 billion, and many now face the risk of having their power shut off.

Veteran Georgia Public Service Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald withstood a challenge from Democrat Daniel Blackman Tuesday, winning reelection to a six-year term.

With lights out in many offices and millions of people plugging in at home, residential power bills are soaring, even as overall electricity consumption slumps during the recession.