Georgia Power includes new, surprise stipulations in last minute contract with City

As previously reported by WNEG News, Georgia Power recently advised city officials that Toccoa’s 6 million gallons per day, or MGD, permit – which historically has run the city between $6,000 and $7,000 per year, – will now cost $167,000 per year – beginning with a payment due by the end of this year.  

Early this month, City Commissioners made the official decision to retain the city’s 6 MGD Permit, paying the $167,000 permit fee, and City Manager Fredda Wheeler advised Georgia Power of the decision. However, as of Dec. 18, Georgia Power had yet to provide the necessary documents for Toccoa officials to sign to finalize the 6 MGD permit, despite Georgia Power’s own Dec. 31 deadline.

WNEG News learned yesterday afternoon that Georgia Power, just yesterday, provided City of Toccoa officials with the contract that the city requested more than two weeks ago. 

However, in contrast with what Georgia Power had assured city officials, the contract they supplied the city with yesterday, was significantly different than the draft contract they submitted to the city last month, City Manager Fredda Wheeler told WNEG News.

Wheeler said the current agreement for the withdrawal from Lake Yonah is still set to expire at the end of the month, and the city has asked city attorney John Dickerson to request for additional time from Georgia Power to allow city officials time to review the new information in the contract.

WNEG News will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available.