Georgia energy regulators have signed off on a 3.5% rate increase for customers of Georgia Power. Members of the state Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved the increase Tuesday, which will raise average residential customer bills by $5.48 per month.

Georgia may have a comparatively mild winter, but we are notoriously bad at cold weather.

Summer electric bills are expected to be nearly 8% higher this year than they were last year. Higher-than-usual temperatures will keep air conditioners working overtime.