Georgians Unlikely to See Six Figure Utility Bills, But Freak Weather Could Still Bring Surprises
Posted February 25, 2021
External Article: WABE 90.1
Marilyn Brown, Regents and Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems and interim chair of the School of Public Policy, was interviewed about Georgia's electricity rate structure and the potential for "sticker shock" seen recently after the winter storms in Texas on WABE 90.1's "All Things Considered" on Feb. 24, 2021.
Brown spoke to the dynamics induced by "demand-side billing," which can reduce electricity use and emissions by tying a consumer's bill to their consumption at the peak period. However, that plan is structured in a manner that allows consumers to control their bills better than Texans would have been able to during the storms and accompanying deep freezes. Furthermore, Georgia is less likely to experience the supply shortages that also contributed to skyrocketing prices in Texas.
Excerpt from Brown's segment:
"The lessons that I think both Texas and Georgia can learn are how to better manage the demand side of the equation. I'm not sure anyone has talked about that. The ability to manage demand so the customers can reduce their consumption and still meet critical needs can help both Georgia and Texas ride through events like they've just experienced."
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