GUEST EDITORIAL: Why Georgia’s Power Bill Investigation Must be Independent and Transparent

By State Representative Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain)

(567 words)

Electricity isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. Yet, for too many Georgians, what should be a straightforward utility bill has become a source of confusion and frustration. When I began examining my own Georgia Power bills, I discovered troubling inconsistencies between the fixed "budget billing" amount and the actual cost of electricity I used. That prompted me to call for an independent, third-party investigation into Georgia Power's budget billing program, an issue now under formal review by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).

But recently, I was asked by a state regulator to share my personal Georgia Power account number directly with a Southern Company employee, the parent company of Georgia Power, so they could "check" my bill. On the surface, this might seem harmless. In reality, it raises deep concerns about how consumer complaints are handled when the very company under review is asked to investigate itself.

That's why I have made it clear: independence and transparency must guide this process.

Public trust in government depends on impartiality. If a company being investigated is given direct access to customer data or control over how that data is analyzed, the line between oversight and influence becomes dangerously blurred.

There are three key concerns here:

• Conflict of Interest: The utility company cannot be both the subject of the investigation and the investigator. Oversight only works when those being regulated are not the ones holding the evidence.

• Data Privacy: Utility account numbers are linked to sensitive financial and personal information. That information should be protected by law and reviewed only under the supervision of regulators or an independent auditor.

• Public Confidence: When complaints are routed back through the same company that's under scrutiny, it erodes confidence in the fairness of the process. Even the appearance of bias can do lasting damage to public trust.

This is not about attacking Georgia Power or the PSC. It's about strengthening the integrity of oversight and ensuring that every Georgian can believe in the process, no matter their income or zip code.

In my recent letter to the Public Service Commission, I urged the creation of clear safeguards to protect consumers and ensure independence throughout this investigation:

1. Establish written protocols that prevent regulated companies from accessing personal consumer data tied to active complaints or investigations.
2. Appoint an independent auditing firm to analyze billing data and identify systemic overcharges or discrepancies.
3. Clarify communication boundaries between commissioners, staff and utility representatives while an investigation is ongoing.

These are common-sense measures, not accusations, but protections. They are about accountability, not confrontation.

Earlier this month, the PSC opened a data request, STF-PIA-36, requiring Georgia Power to provide detailed information about its budget billing program, including customer enrollment, marketing practices and billing balances. That is an important first step. Now, we must ensure that the process stays independent and that the results are transparent to the public.

To further protect consumers, I am introducing the Georgia Fair Utility Billing and Consumer Protection Act, which will require fair crediting of overpayments, consistent billing transparency and stronger consumer safeguards in all regulated utilities across our state.

Every Georgian deserves a fair and honest utility bill and a system of oversight that puts people before profits. True accountability doesn't weaken our institutions; it strengthens them.

Rep. Davis includes the letter she sent to the Georgia PSC regarding her request for an independent study, which can be found here.

*Editor's note: a photo of Rep. Davis is included below.

Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Insurance, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.

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The views expressed above and information shared are those of the author.