Two seats on the powerful Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) are on the ballot this election season, with the potential for Democrats to gain control of the commission for the first time in decades. For residents of Valdosta, Lowndes County, and across South Georgia, the outcome could significantly impact how much they pay for electricity and how the state's largest utility, Georgia Power, generates energy. These are statewide elections, meaning all registered voters in Georgia can cast a ballot for both commission posts.
The PSC is responsible for regulating utilities, including Georgia Power, giving commissioners the final say over the methods used to produce energy and the rates customers pay for it. In recent years, the commission has faced increased scrutiny due to a series of rate hikes and the urgent need to secure enough energy to meet a massive spike in demand that Georgia Power is predicting, largely driven by the boom in data centers. Frustration over rising power bills contributed to two Democrats winning seats on the commission in a landslide last year. If Democrats can hold onto the District 3 post and win the open District 5 seat this year, they would secure a majority.
The District 3 seat is currently held by Commissioner Peter Hubbard, a Democrat who won the post last year. Hubbard, a former advocate and solar consultant, emphasized the stakes in the Atlanta Press Club’s debate. He focused on clean energy as a way to lower power bills and called for accountability, stating that the election offered a chance to "flip the commission to a Democratic majority" to lower bills and hold Georgia Power and data centers accountable.
Hubbard's opponent for the District 3 seat is Republican Fitz Johnson, who did not participate in the Atlanta Press Club debate. Johnson previously served four years on the commission before losing his seat to Hubbard last year. During his prior term, Johnson voted to approve six rate hikes, which were a major focus of last year’s election, though he also approved a temporary rate freeze that began last year. He also voted to approve Georgia Power’s ongoing expansion plans, which rely heavily on fossil fuels. At a campaign event this spring, Johnson told WABE that he has "unfinished business" on the commission, explaining his plans to ensure the commission is on track to take care of ratepayers and to promote economic development if he regains the seat.
The second contested seat is for District 5. This post was previously held by Tricia Pridemore, who opted to run for Congress this year and lost, then stepped down early for a job with a corporation that builds data centers. Governor Brian Kemp appointed former Commissioner Stan Wise to temporarily fill the seat until the term ends in January. Competing for this open seat are Republican Josh Tolbert and Democrat Shelia Edwards.
Republican Josh Tolbert has highlighted his background as an engineer who has worked on power plants. During a debate, Tolbert argued that "Ratepayers need a voice" on the commission, one that knows something about energy when it comes to utility decisions and power bills.
Democrat Shelia Edwards contends that the commission already has engineers and energy experts among its advisory staff. She stated during the debate that the commission already has engineers, asserting that what is needed is "a commissioner who will stand up for families, seniors and veterans." Edwards points to her prior experience working with Lockheed and NASA in the aftermath of the Challenger shuttle disaster as evidence of her ability to collaborate with engineers and navigate complex technical material.
The winners of these two races will oversee several critical issues with substantial implications for future power bills and Georgia’s long-term climate trajectory, given that burning fossil fuels for electricity is a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. Georgia Power is expected to submit its next long-term plan for generating and delivering energy in 2028. This plan will offer an opportunity for the commission and various interest groups to influence decisions on power plants, transmission lines, and other key infrastructure. A subsequent rate case, where the utility, the commission, and interest groups will negotiate customer electricity costs, is anticipated to follow — this will be the first such case since 2022. Current commissioners have also indicated that they expect Georgia Power to file another update to its long-term plan next year, similar to an update filed in 2023, as part of its ongoing efforts to supply energy to the growing number of data centers.
