Georgia Power controversies

Georgia Power Data Breach Affects About 300,000 Customers

Issue disclosure

Georgia Power is notifying approximately 300,000 customers after hackers gained access to personal information through the utility's online customer portal. The company says it recently detected suspicious activity and determined an unauthorized third party had accessed certain information associated with customer accounts, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, basic account information and the last four digits of Social Security numbers; it says bank account numbers, payment card numbers and driver's license numbers were not accessed. Georgia Power says it took steps to stop the unauthorized activity, contacted law enforcement, conducted an investigation that found no evidence of continuing unauthorized access, is notifying affected customers by email or U.S. mail, and is offering free credit monitoring. The incident was part of a larger security breach affecting Southern Company utilities, with approximately 400,000 customer accounts affected overall, including additional customers of Southern Company utilities in Alabama and Mississippi.

Plant Scherer coal-ash contamination litigation

Residents near Plant Scherer alleged that coal ash had contaminated well water and contributed to illnesses. Georgia Power disputed the claims and maintained that its closure plans complied with applicable law. In late 2024, the company reached confidential settlements with dozens of plaintiffs, while a county judge had separately found that water samples did not support the asserted contamination claims.

Oil-spill-prevention audit violation

The EPA assessed a $1,906 penalty after an Atlanta Georgia Power facility failed an oil-spill-prevention audit. The cited deficiencies included the absence of a method for predicting potential spills, inadequate containment planning, and insufficient drainage controls.

Coal-ash closure cost recovery dispute

Environmental advocates challenged the Georgia Public Service Commission’s decision allowing Georgia Power to recover an estimated $525 million in coal-ash closure costs from customers. Critics argued that the company should bear more of the cost and objected to leaving ash in place at certain sites. The Georgia Court of Appeals upheld the commission’s decision, and the Georgia Supreme Court declined review.

Vogtle cost escalation and credit-rating downgrade

Escalating construction costs at Plant Vogtle contributed to a Moody’s downgrade of Georgia Power’s credit rating from A3 to Baa1. The episode intensified scrutiny of the project’s financing, construction management, and future customer-rate effects.