Statewide energy bills are largely determined by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), a five-person committee with the power to approve rates proposed by the state’s main energy supplier, Georgia Power. And after a nearly five-year election hiatus, state voters can decide who fills two of its seats.
Georgia is one of 10 states that elects its PSC commissioners, each with staggered six-year terms representing one of five districts. But the PSC hasn’t seen an election since 2020. A lawsuit filed against the state by four Fulton County residents alleged that state elections weakened black voter representation, resulting in a series of court-ordered election delays.
On the Nov. 4 ballot are the PSC commissioners for Districts 2 and 3. District 3 covers Dekalb, Fulton, and Clayton counties, represented by Governor Brian Kemp-appointed Fitz Johnson and now challenged by Democrat Peter Hubbard. District 2 spans nearly 40 counties in east Georgia from Chatham to Banks County, represented by 15-year incumbent Vice Chair Tim Echols.
Since he was first elected in 2010, Echols has promoted nuclear and solar energy projects, hosted annual clean energy roadshows, and been credited with helping Georgia rise to 7th in the nation for its solar and storage market, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
«Georgians know me,» wrote twice-elected Echols in an email, and «my commitment to sustainability.»
Still, some are unsatisfied with Echols and the PSC’s recent rate hike approvals, an average monthly increase of $43 this year, and demand more transparency into Georgia Power’s expansion of coal and gas plants for a surge of data centers. Many are therefore endorsing new blood, Democratic nominee Alicia Johnson, a community development and health services director. Without a background in energy work or policy to stand on, Johnson relies on a shared sentiment among ratepayers.
«I’m a Georgia Power customer, meaning that I pay the same bills they do,» said Johnson. Echols, meanwhile, belongs to an electric membership corporation (EMC) with limited oversight from the PSC. Whether an EMC or Georgia Power serves a commissioner’s residence, however, is «irrelevant» as all customers can vote, wrote Echols.
So how do Johnson and Echols square against each other when it comes to monitoring Georgia Power and the future of our energy bills? While Johnson sees potential for improvement in cost cutting, alternative solutions and transparency, Echols restates the laws and limitations when it comes to bills and clean energy.
«It would be my preference to start five more nuclear units right now—instead of building more natural gas,» wrote Echols. Until someone in Washington can pass a bill to cover cost surpluses for nuclear plants, «I don’t think Georgia will build anything but gas plants.»A not quite frozen rate freeze
A three-year series of rate hikes can be partially blamed on Plant Vogtle’s $32 billion expansion, earning its status as the nation’s largest and costliest nuclear energy plant. Part of the reason why it was so expensive was the fallout of former contractor Westinghouse that contributed to a seven-year construction delay and a tab $16 billion over budget.
Despite the drag, «Plant Vogtle is critical to our reliability,» wrote Echols. Along with nuclear Plant Hatch, they provide about 30% of the electricity used in Georgia, according to Georgia Power.
But why did a $7 billion burden fall on Georgia rate payers?»Our commissioners felt the bankruptcy of Westinghouse was beyond Georgia Power’s control,» wrote Echols, who referred to a 1991 law that guarantees certain utilities the recovery of «prudently incurred costs.»
To make up for the bill surge, the PSC unanimously approved a three-year freeze on base rates in July.
«I have just frozen the rates for three years when no other state is taking such action,» wrote Echols.
But the freeze occurred after «you’ve already raised the rate six times since 2023,» said Johnson.
Still, bills won’t be protected from costs wrought by damage from Hurricane Helene, «requiring significant rebuilding (not just repair) efforts» across 53 counties, wrote former Georgia Power spokesperson John Kraft in an email. Neither will the freeze cover natural gas price increases, passed to consumers via a 1997 deregulation act.
«More than likely there will be increases in 2029 after the rate freeze expires,» said Echols, unless the Russia-Ukraine war ends.Johnson seeks alternatives
While the rate freeze is already in place, it doesn’t mean Johnson is willing to give up on revisiting it.
«We need proof of prudence,» said Johnson. The PSC should apply more scrutiny on Georgia Power via third-party audits, ensuring competitive price procurement, and seeking storm insurances and support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), she said.
«Georgia Power’s financial statements are audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm each year,» wrote a Georgia Power spokesperson in an email. The PSC and an independent evaluator also oversee its request for proposal process for «reliable and economical resources required to meet our customer’s energy needs.»
As for disaster recovery funds, «Georgia Power does not qualify for FEMA assistance,» said the spokesperson. «Georgia Power did not receive any significant storm damage insurance.»Georgia’s grid gains
To accommodate the incoming data centers projected to make up about 90% of new energy in the next six years, Georgia Power will build out natural gas plants and extend the lifetimes of certain coal and natural gas units through at least 2034.
Despite concern from environmental and other advocacy groups of increased costs and emissions, it’s not up to the PSC how expansion gets fueled, Echols said.
«Coal still lives because Congress is too slow in providing incentives for states like Georgia to build more nuclear power,» wrote Echols. «Because nuclear incentives are not in place right now, we are forced to choose other resources in order to serve customers.»
Can Johnson do much to overcome that obstacle?
«I think transition is feasible,» said Johnson. While she admits it will take time, «I’m not willing to say that I would be seeking to slow [energy expansion] down.»
As for how she might handle the incoming data centers, «I think that they should be required to line their roofs with solar… so that they can return those energy credits back to the grid,» said Johnson. «Our Public Service Commission hasn’t been the least bit innovative, or even asked or made a demand on data centers moving into our community.»
While Georgia Power’s load demand announced this year did come as a surprise, «we don’t make the decisions on how many are allowed into Georgia and where large loads are located,» wrote Echols. «Our priority is on making sure data centers and large load customers pay more than their fair share in order to protect existing customers.»
Public transparencyDespite assurance of ratepayer protection from Echols, watchdogs like the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) have criticized the PSC’s lack of transparency when it comes to data centers and means of grid expansion.
«We’re building for a redacted list of companies, most of which haven’t signed any contracts at all,» said SELC lawyer Bob Sherrier. As of now, one contract between Georgia and a major data center did not receive objection from the PSC upon review, wrote PSC Spokesperson Tom Krause in an email. A second contract filed on Sept. 29 for another major data center awaits its fate.
«Everything was still very much in the public and in the open,» said Echols. «We transcribe every word that is said in hearings, and we virtually never go into executive session.» PSC’s requests for information from Georgia Power and responses can be found under «Docket Search» at https://psc.ga.gov/, and recordings of hearings on Youtube.
But Johnson asserts that these transcriptions and videos aren’t enough.
«For me, transparency also means accessibility,» said Johnson. «Maybe we don’t just have these meetings in Atlanta… so that people in other districts are able to testify or participate virtually.»