Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos says her city's $1.2 million Georgia Power bill is too high and she has asked city staff to find ways to lower it.
One solution is to have a group of cities pool resources and negotiate lower energy rates.
At a recent city council meeting, the mayor pointed out that Sandy Springs once had a reduced rate for its streetlights, which are primarily used in off-peak hours, but for reasons unknown that's not the case anymore.
If Galambos' efforts gain traction, and more cities than Sandy Springs benefit, it's still unclear what level of savings could occur.
Alpharetta, similar to Sandy Springs, leases most of its 4,458 street lights, which means its annual cost of $900,000 covers more than electricity. Johns Creek, served by Georgia Power and Sawnee EMC, pays $651,000 per year, and Decatur spends $240,000. Atlanta paid $7.5 million for power to city-owned lights last year.
Governments pay a flat off-peak rate for street lighting, a charge approved through the Public Service Commission, Georgia Power officials said. The price can fluctuate only when the supplier wins approval for a rate increase. Any negotiated discount would likewise go through the PSC.
Municipal street lights that share a meter with a building's power supply are not granted the reduced rate.
Georgia Power, which serves nearly every municipality in one form or another, grants discounted rates to some associations, usually large business groups with large energy needs, company spokeswoman Christy Ihrig said.
"There are a lot of associations that work together to get the best deals for their customers, whether it's large industrial customers or whatever the case may be," she said. "It's entirely possible [the cities] could come together to get a different rate plan."
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