Georgia voters will head to the polls to elect Public Service Commissioners (PSC) this year, with the elections shaping up to be a critical referendum on the rising cost of electricity in the state, particularly for Georgia Power customers. Consumer advocates are raising concerns that the utility company will continue to increase rates on residential customers to meet the ever-growing energy demands of data centers.
Incumbent Republican Commissioners Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson are facing challenges from a diverse field of candidates, all vying for a seat on the powerful commission that regulates Georgia Power. Echols will face Lee Muns in the June 17th Republican Primary for District 2. Echols, seeking his third term, is a vocal supporter of Georgia Power’s investments in clean energy initiatives and highlights affordability programs aimed at seniors and low-income Georgians. However, challenger Muns is focusing on the need for cost-effective energy capacity decisions, citing the aging infrastructure and expressing concern over cost overruns at the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project.
Fitz Johnson, also seeking reelection, is facing intense scrutiny from Georgia Power customers struggling with higher utility bills. He maintains that balancing the needs of ratepayers while addressing the growing demand from data centers is a crucial task. Meanwhile, Alicia Johnson, running unopposed in the Democratic primary, is a strong advocate for sustainable energy and has been critical of the PSC’s approval of recent rate hikes.
The November 4th election ballot will feature the PSC races, marking the first time since 2020 that these critical elections have been included on state ballots. Beyond the primary races, other candidates including Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones, Daniel Blackman, and Keisha Sean Waites are also in the running. These candidates are proposing a range of reforms to address energy rates, promote clean energy initiatives, and emphasize the need for greater transparency and consumer protection in energy decisions made by the PSC.
With rising energy costs impacting households across Georgia, the upcoming PSC elections are poised to be a pivotal moment in shaping the state’s energy future. Voters will need to carefully consider the candidates’ platforms and their visions for a more affordable and sustainable energy landscape.
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