The state Public Service Commission approved a $1.8 billion rate increase requested by Georgia Power on Tuesday that embraced most of an agreement between the agency’s staff and the company presented last week.

Veteran Georgia Public Service Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald withstood a challenge from Democrat Daniel Blackman Tuesday, winning reelection to a six-year term.

Georgia Power can recover $7.7 million it spent on COVID-19 safety expenses, but drew criticism over the message that it sends when it sticks customers...