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Georgia Power extends, expands customer assistance programs following Hurricane Helene

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Georgia Power has extended and expanded customer assistance programs following Hurricane Helene, the most destructive hurricane in its history. The company has suspended disconnections, waived late fees, and paused collection activities for residential and business customers through December 15, 2024. Georgia Power has restored power to over 1.5 million customers, representing 99% of those impacted by the storm.

The company offers various programs to help customers manage energy costs, including the Project SHARE program with the Salvation Army and the Income-Qualified Discount. Georgia Power encourages customers to use online tools like My Power Usage to track and manage energy use. The Southern Company system, including Georgia Power, has pledged $3 million to support recovery efforts.

Georgia Power ha esteso e ampliato i programmi di assistenza ai clienti dopo l'uragano Helene, il più distruttivo della sua storia. L'azienda ha sospeso le disconnessioni, annullato le penali per ritardi e interrotto le attività di recupero per i clienti residenziali e commerciali fino al 15 dicembre 2024. Georgia Power ha ripristinato l'elettricità per oltre 1,5 milioni di clienti, che rappresentano il 99% di quelli colpiti dalla tempesta.

L'azienda offre vari programmi per aiutare i clienti a gestire i costi energetici, incluso il programma Project SHARE con l'Esercito della Salvezza e lo sconto per reddito qualificato. Georgia Power incoraggia i clienti a utilizzare strumenti online come My Power Usage per monitorare e gestire il consumo energetico. Il sistema della Southern Company, che include Georgia Power, ha promesso 3 milioni di dollari per sostenere gli sforzi di recupero.

Georgia Power ha ampliado y extendido los programas de asistencia al cliente tras el huracán Helene, el más destructivo de su historia. La empresa ha suspendido desconexiones, renunciado a cargos por demora y pausado las actividades de cobro para clientes residenciales y comerciales hasta el 15 de diciembre de 2024. Georgia Power ha restaurado la electricidad a más de 1.5 millones de clientes, lo que representa el 99% de los afectados por la tormenta.

La empresa ofrece varios programas para ayudar a los clientes a gestionar los costos de energía, incluyendo el programa Project SHARE con el Ejército de Salvación y el Descuento por Ingresos Calificados. Georgia Power alienta a los clientes a utilizar herramientas en línea como My Power Usage para rastrear y gestionar el consumo de energía. El sistema de Southern Company, que incluye Georgia Power, se ha comprometido a 3 millones de dólares para apoyar los esfuerzos de recuperación.

조지아 파워는 역사상 가장 파괴적인 허리케인인 헬렌 이후 고객 지원 프로그램을 연장하고 확장했습니다. 이 회사는 주거 및 비즈니스 고객의 단절을 일시 중지하고, 연체료를 면제하며, 징수 활동을 중단했습니다 2024년 12월 15일까지. 조지아 파워는 150만 고객에게 전력을 복구했습니다, 이는 폭풍에 영향을 받은 고객의 99%에 해당합니다.

회사는 구세군과 함께하는 Project SHARE 프로그램소득 자격 할인을 포함하여 고객이 에너지 비용을 관리할 수 있도록 돕기 위한 다양한 프로그램을 제공합니다. 조지아 파워는 고객이 My Power Usage와 같은 온라인 도구를 사용하여 에너지 사용량을 추적하고 관리할 것을 권장합니다. Southern Company 시스템(조지아 파워 포함)은 복구 작업을 지원하기 위해 300만 달러를 약속했습니다.

Georgia Power a étendu et élargi ses programmes d'assistance aux clients à la suite de l'ouragan Helene, le plus destructeur de son histoire. L'entreprise a suspendu les coupures, renoncé aux frais de retard et interrompu les activités de recouvrement pour les clients résidentiels et commerciaux jusqu'au 15 décembre 2024. Georgia Power a restauré l'électricité pour plus de 1,5 million de clients, représentant 99 % de ceux touchés par la tempête.

L'entreprise propose divers programmes pour aider les clients à gérer les coûts de l'énergie, y compris le programme Project SHARE avec l'Armée du Salut et la réduction de tarifs pour revenus qualifiés. Georgia Power encourage les clients à utiliser des outils en ligne comme My Power Usage pour suivre et gérer leur consommation d'énergie. Le système de la Southern Company, y compris Georgia Power, a promis 3 millions de dollars pour soutenir les efforts de récupération.

Georgia Power hat nach dem Hurrikan Helene, dem zerstörerischsten Hurrikan in seiner Geschichte, die Unterstützungsprogramme für Kunden erweitert und ausgeweitet. Das Unternehmen hat die Abschaltungen ausgesetzt, verspätete Gebühren erlassen und Inkassotätigkeiten pausiert für Wohn- und Geschäftskunden bis zum 15. Dezember 2024. Georgia Power hat die Stromversorgung für über 1,5 Millionen Kunden wiederhergestellt, was 99% der von dem Sturm betroffenen Kunden entspricht.

Das Unternehmen bietet verschiedene Programme an, um Kunden zu helfen, die Energiekosten zu verwalten, darunter das Project SHARE-Programm mit der Heilsarmee und den Einkommensqualifizierten Rabatt. Georgia Power ermutigt die Kunden, Online-Tools wie My Power Usage zu nutzen, um den Energieverbrauch zu verfolgen und zu verwalten. Das Southern Company-System, zu dem Georgia Power gehört, hat 3 Millionen Dollar für die Unterstützung von Wiederherstellungsmaßnahmen zugesagt.

Positive
  • Extended customer assistance programs through December 15, 2024
  • Restored power to 99% of impacted customers (over 1.5 million)
  • $3 million pledged by Southern Company system for recovery efforts
  • Offering various energy cost management programs for customers
Negative
  • Extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene across Georgia
  • Potential revenue impact due to suspended disconnections and waived late fees

Insights

Georgia Power's extension of customer assistance programs following Hurricane Helene demonstrates a proactive approach to customer relations but may have short-term financial implications for Southern Company (SO). The suspension of disconnections, waiving of late fees and pausing of collection activities until December 15, 2024, could temporarily impact cash flows and revenue recognition.

However, this customer-centric strategy may enhance long-term brand loyalty and customer retention, potentially offsetting short-term financial impacts. The $3 million pledge for recovery efforts, while significant, is manageable given SO's $98 billion market cap. Investors should monitor the balance between customer support and financial performance in upcoming quarterly reports.

The company's ability to restore power to 99% of impacted customers quickly is a positive operational indicator. This efficiency in disaster response could mitigate regulatory risks and strengthen the company's position in future rate case discussions with regulators.

The extensive customer assistance programs implemented by Georgia Power in response to Hurricane Helene reflect a growing trend in the utility sector towards increased social responsibility and customer-centric practices. This approach aligns with evolving regulatory expectations and could potentially improve the company's regulatory relationships.

The company's diverse generation mix, including nuclear, coal, natural gas and renewables, positions it well for future energy transitions. However, investors should monitor how the costs associated with storm recovery and customer assistance programs might impact future rate cases and capital expenditure plans.

Georgia Power's response to Hurricane Helene, mobilizing over 20,000 personnel, demonstrates strong operational capabilities and inter-utility cooperation. This efficiency in disaster response could become increasingly valuable as extreme weather events become more frequent, potentially providing a competitive advantage in the utility sector.

Company continues suspension of disconnections, waives late fees and pauses collection activities for customers through December 15

ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the devastation from Hurricane Helene became apparent in the days following the historic storm, Georgia Power moved quickly to suspend disconnections as emergency response efforts ramped up. The company announced today that it has further extended and expanded customer assistance programs with disconnections suspended, late fees waived, and overall collection activities paused for residential and business customers through at least December 15, 2024.

"Our commitment to customers goes beyond reconnecting power following a storm of this magnitude – we're focused on helping many of our neighbors as they essentially rebuild their lives and communities," said Latanza Adjei, senior vice president of Customer Experience for Georgia Power. "We encourage customers to continue paying their bills on their usual billing cycle and avoid falling behind. However, we recognize that times are challenging for many Georgians even without the impacts of Helene and we want to do all we can to support them. Every Customer Experience team member is dedicated to working with customers who may need assistance to help find a solution that works best for them."

Georgia Power's response to the most destructive hurricane in its history involved more than 20,000 personnel, including Georgia Power's full workforce as well as crews from dozens of other companies around the country. As of October 7, the company has safely restored power to more than 1.5 million customers, or 99% of all impacted customers, following the storm. Hurricane Helene spared virtually no part of the state and severely impacted areas such as Augusta, Savannah, Valdosta and many other communities.

The Southern Company system, including Georgia Power, also continues to coordinate and contribute to restoration and relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. On October 4, multiple charitable foundations across the system pledged $3 million to support the recovery effort. Read more here.

Programs to Help Customers Manage Energy Costs, Obtain Assistance
Georgia Power partners with nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations to offer assistance programs to those in need year-round. Popular initiatives include the longstanding Project SHARE program with the Salvation Army, as well as the recently expanded Income-Qualified Discount, which may amount to $33.50 per month for qualified customers. Other programs include Energy Assistance for Savings & Efficiency (EASE), and continued partnerships with community action agencies across Georgia that offer services such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), emergency assistance, home weatherization and more. Georgia Power encourages customers to use online tools such as My Power Usage to track and manage energy use, and visit GeorgiaPower.com/MyEnergy to explore all of the tools and resources available from the company to help predict and lower their bill.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

How long has Georgia Power extended its customer assistance programs following Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power has extended its customer assistance programs through December 15, 2024, following Hurricane Helene.

What percentage of customers has Georgia Power restored power to after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power has restored power to 99% of impacted customers, which is over 1.5 million customers, following Hurricane Helene.

What financial support has Southern Company (SO) pledged for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts?

The Southern Company system, including Georgia Power (SO), has pledged $3 million to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

What customer assistance measures has Georgia Power implemented after Hurricane Helene?

Georgia Power has suspended disconnections, waived late fees, and paused collection activities for residential and business customers through December 15, 2024.

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