Albany community talks high utility bills, solutions at town hall meeting

Yahoo

05-03-2025

ALBANY – The fight to see change regarding Albany's high utility costs is an ongoing one.
An 'Energy Justice Town Hall' meeting, hosted by 9to5 Georgia, a grassroots organization working to advance economic justice, added more fuel to the fire. About 40 Albany residents gathered at the C&H Event Center on Gordon Avenue to discuss solutions to the widespread issue of expensive utility bills that has spanned about a year.
Albany Utilities customers are complaining about steep bill increases, limited transparency, and inconsistent support and response when it comes to paying these bills – or not being able to pay. Most of these complaints began around the time the city began to install its new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) about one year ago. Some customers have reported bills as high as $1,000.
These concerns became so great that some residents joined 9to5 at the Georgia Capitol on Feb. 18 to vouch for Senate Bill 94, which would reinstate the Consumer Utility Council, which advocated for utility-paying customers to the state's Public Service Commission that sets utility rates.
Gwen Bridges, who has been an advocate for those facing high utility bills, spoke during Tuesday night's meeting. Bridges has been researching and collecting Albany Utilities customer testimonials for about a year.
'I know tenants who are suffering right now, losing everything they have because they can't make enough money,' Bridges said. 'We have to do something, and we have to do it now.'
Bridges said many of Albany's residents live in older homes that haven't seen updates as far as new roofs or HVAC systems, which can lead to higher utility bills. With the installation of the new meter system came estimated costs on bills, and many customers saw their bills spike.
Albany Utilities board members claim the city has a goodwill policy in place for those behind on bills, but Bridges said not everyone receives the same help or ease at accessing relief.
Manni Hayes, a Washington, D.C., resident, attended Tuesday's meeting for family members who are Albany residents struggling with high utility bills. Hayes said she has three senior sisters who live in Albany.
Hayes told her family's stories through tear-filled eyes. Her 82-year-old sister, she said, has early onset dementia and requires oxygen around the clock.
'She's not eating properly, and she doesn't have an oxygen tank that can travel with her,' Hayes said. 'She can't afford it because of an $800 utility bill just to keep her house cooler. It's just her. And I've got my 78-year-old sister killing herself to help her.'
Hayes said she traveled to Albany from D.C. to try to help her family and figure out the cause of her sisters' costly bills.
Hayes said seniors are important, and they deserve to do more than just survive.
'Families are struggling to keep their lights on, to keep their homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer, all while trying to put food on the table, raise our kids and enjoy some quality of life, and yet, what options are we getting?' Miranda Mathis, the civic engagement coordinator with local nonprofit SOWEGA Rising, said.
Attendees called on the city to exercise a consistent goodwill policy and to use the more than $1.5 million in utilities rebate funds to relieve Albany Utilities customers. Corey Morgan, a Camilla councilman and 9to5's climate justice manager, pointed to Camilla, where a majority of the council voted Monday to issue a round of $100 utility credits to all residential customers.
'It can absolutely happen,' he said. 'Let's all join together and make this happen.'
Mathis said Tuesday's meeting was about more than just utility bills.
'It's about power, and not just the kind that keeps our homes running, but the kind that we have as a community, the power that we have, which is our right to ask questions, to demand solutions and stay with leaders who we hope will fight for us,' she said.
Speakers urged Albany's Ward VI residents to go out and vote in the special election, which will fill the spot left vacant by late Commissioner Demetrius Young. Turnout during the first week of early voting was low, and only 45 voters had cast ballots as of Tuesday.
The Ward VI special election is scheduled for March 18. Early voting began the week of Feb. 24. Qualified candidates include Samuel Wright, Samuel Gaines and Diana Brown. Brown attended Tuesday night's Energy Justice meeting.
Bridges urged those with utility bill complaints to contact Albany Utilities at [phone] and to confront Albany Utilities Board members at meetings, scheduled the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
'One voice can be heard, but 1,000 can't be ignored,' she said.