Public Service Commission

www.psc.state.ga.us

Through a substantial investment in research, expert testimony and skilled attorneys, GTMA has successfully mitigated increases in electric rates sought by Georgia Power Company. GTMA has also registered success in reducing the impact of fuel cost recovery increases requested by Georgia Power Company. In addition, GTMA has been able to win Public Service Commission approval of the Association's proposals to re-design existing or implement new tariffs intended to reduce the cost of electricity for manufacturers. The collective impact of GTMA's efforts at the Georgia Public Service Commission during the past several years can be measured in savings in the tens of millions of dollars.

GTMA has successfully mitigated increases in electric rates sought by Georgia Power Company.

GTMA was also a leading advocate for natural gas deregulation, which has brought manufacturers substantial savings in natural gas costs. The Association's continued vigilance and efforts at both the Public Service Commission and at the General Assembly have been, and will continue to be necessary to preserve the advantages of deregulation for manufacturers.

 

General Assembly

www.legis.state.ga.us

  • Successfully promoted legislation to cap the process of various energy fuels used in manufacturing in which state sales taxes are charged;

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  • Ensured that legislation to provide funding for "construction work in progress" for Georgia Power Company's proposed new nuclear power units at Plant Vogtle did not disadvantage industrial customers and required them to pay only their fair share of the costs consistent with previously established principles of ratemaking;


  • Secured passage of legislation to expand the sales tax exemption for the machinery and equipment (and spare and replacement parts) used in manufacturing;


  • Led business advocacy for legislation that will slash state income taxes for Georgia manufacturers by nearly $1 billion;


  • Drafted and secured passage of legislation that resolved complicated tax matter for carpet industry, saving the industry million of dollars;


  • As a long-time member of the Advisory Council to the State Board of Workers' Compensation, developed and achieved passage of legislation that brought Georgia employers meaningful savings in workers' comp costs;


  • Successfully promoted passage of legislation that significantly cut employer unemployment insurance taxes;


  • Working with other like-minded business advocacy groups, helped to write and pass major civil justice reform legislation that provides businesses protections against frivolous lawsuits and unjustified and unreasonable awards in civil lawsuits; and


  • Successfully lobbied against legislation that would have increased utility costs, workers' compensation insurance premiums and unemployment insurance taxes; burdened businesses with unreasonable environmental regulations; and eroded employers' ability to set hiring, discipline and termination standards and enforce workplace safety and health policies. Savings to manufacturers resulting from these successes amount to millions annually.


    • Legislative Agenda:


    Enactment of legislation that:

    1) Legislation that eliminates the state sales tax on energy used in the manufacturing process;

    2) Adequate funding for Georgia's system of technical colleges and "Quick Start" for existing businesses;

    3) Preserving recent enhancements to Georgia's tax code that benefit manufacturers;

    4) Assuring that industrial property owners are treated identically to residential property owners in any proposed Constitutional amendment that caps increases in property assessments or freezes such assessments;

    5) Achieving passage of legislation that makes some improvements to the workers' compensation law; and

    6) Defeating legislation that if passed would undermine manufacturing competitiveness by adding to the costs of production or employment.