The Georgia Public Service Commission is holding a hearing next week on a proposed Georgia Power Rate Increase.

Commission spokesman Bill Edge said Tuesday that the Oct. 1 hearing will feature a public comment session on the utility's plan to increase rates beginning in January 2014.

Edge says Georgia Power filed a request in June to increase rates by $280 million — which translates to a monthly fee of about $4.55 for residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

In an alternate three-year proposal, the company requested the commission to approve a plan to allow the utility to increase its retail rates by $482 million — which would be an increase of about $7.84 per month for customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

Edge says public testimony may continue Oct. 2.

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