$26.5B Loan Cuts Power Bills for Georgia, Alabama Families

Millions of families in Georgia and Alabama just got some of the best news they'll hear all year: their electricity bills are about to get significantly cheaper.

The U.S. Department of Energy just closed a record-breaking $26.5 billion loan package that will save customers over $7 billion on their power costs. It's the largest loan in the department's history, and it's aimed squarely at making energy more affordable for working families.

The funding will flow to two subsidiaries of Southern Company, one of the region's major utilities. They'll use it to build or upgrade more than 16 gigawatts of reliable power generation across both states.

That means 5 gigawatts of new natural gas plants, upgrades to 6 gigawatts of nuclear facilities, modernized hydropower systems, and over 1,300 miles of improved transmission lines. Battery storage systems will also help keep the lights on during peak demand.

The math works out beautifully for customers. The favorable loan terms will save Southern Company over $300 million per year in interest costs alone. Those savings will get passed directly to consumers through lower monthly bills.

Southern Company has already committed to multiyear rate freezes as part of the plan. That means families can budget without worrying about surprise increases eating into their grocery or gas money.

Beyond lower bills, the projects will create thousands of construction and maintenance jobs throughout Georgia and Alabama. Workers will be needed to build new facilities, upgrade existing plants, and expand the transmission grid connecting communities.

The Ripple Effect

Lower energy costs don't just help families keep the lights on. They make everything more affordable, from the groceries at the store to the products manufactured in local factories.

Reliable electricity also means fewer outages during storms or heat waves. Businesses can operate without disruption, hospitals can serve patients safely, and schools can keep their doors open.

The upgraded grid will serve these communities for decades, meaning children growing up today will benefit from more stable, affordable power throughout their lives. That's the kind of infrastructure investment that builds generational prosperity.

Other utilities are already watching this success story closely. The Department of Energy says it's setting a new standard for how government financing can deliver real results for everyday Americans.

Families across two states are about to see their biggest household expense shrink, while their communities get stronger and more resilient.