This coverage is Grist and Grist WabeNPR Station in Atlanta.
The Democratic primary, a seat representing part of the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Metro Atlanta, appears to be heading for leaks. In another competitive race in the PSC primary this week, Republican incumbent Tim Echoles won the party primary in East Georgia’s second district.
The committee oversees utilities, including Georgia Power, the state’s largest electrical provider and a subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest utilities. The PSC commissioner has a final say in Georgia’s power plan and fees. This means how the nation responds to climate change by making decisions that affect the finances of millions of Georgia households.
State utility commissioners across the country have a major impact on climate action as they oversee power companies and have a final say in how those utilities generate energy.
State such as Georgia, dominated by exclusive utilities, is expanding the power of commissioners.
This year’s election was the first in five years, and at that point it was more scrutiny than usual as Georgia’s electricity bill for consumers increased repeatedly with the approval of the current committee. This year was also the only statewide race in Georgia’s vote.
Two of the five seats on the committee have been voted this year.
Democrats won 50% of the vote in a crowded competition with party nominations in District 3, representing the Atlanta Capital Region.
Top energy advocate voter Peter Hubbard and former state legislator Keisha Shawn Ways compete in the scheduled leak elections July 15th.
The winner will face in November against incumbent Republican Fitz Johnson.
In District 2 in East Georgia, Echols defeated challenger Lee Mans in the Republican primary. In the general election, he faces Democrat Alicia Johnson, a community advocate with a background in nonprofit work.
The race is Georgia’s first PSC election after voting rights delayed two election cycles.
Three commissioners, Echols, Fitz Johnson and Tricia Pridemore, continue to vote for key decisions on Georgia Power’s fees and energy planning, despite not facing initially planned voters. Pridemore will be re-election next year.
PSC has signed off as Georgia’s electricity bill has risen six times in the past few years.
Next week, the commissioner will break the possibility of an increase in the bill next year to cover damages from Hurricane Helen, but the commissioner will consider a freeze proposal by increasing the fees further.
The committee is also currently considering Georgia’s long-term energy plan to suspend plans to close coal-fired power plants, upgrades to nuclear and hydroelectric facilities, build more solar power plants, and upgrades to energy infrastructure.
