This post is the fifth in a series of blogs examining where the 2018 candidates for state and federal offices in the Southeast stand on key energy and climate issues. To read the candidate profile for Democratic Nominee for Georgia Public Service Commission District 5, Dawn Randolph, click here.
Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.
Candidate: Tricia Pridemore
Tricia Pridemore was appointed to the Public Service Commission in February 2018. She has served on the Board of Governors for the Georgia World Congress Center Board, and was a member of the 2011 Transition team of Governor Deal. She also co-chaired Governor Deal’s Inaugural Committees in 2011 and again in 2015.
Renewables
During a Republican primary debate in May 2018, Commissioner Pridemore said “I am proud, as a member of the Commission, for the votes that I’ve taken for expanded solar projects both in Dougherty and Mitchell county just this year.” She has also noted the state’s opportunities around biomass: “Georgia leads in forestry, and new federal revaluation of biomass means more opportunities for clean energy!”
Energy Efficiency
We could not find any publicly available information regarding Pridemore’s views on energy efficiency.
Fossil Fuels
At a North Georgia Power Connectors luncheon, Commissioner Pridemore touted coal’s role in Georgia energy production, “Lots of folks tend not to be as crazy about coal as I am, but I see an entire nation that has been built off of coal energy,” and “And I see an entire nation in an ecosystem that is around coal that touches so many different aspects of our lives.” When asked about what areas of new generation technologies she would like to see Georgia lead in she said, “One of the areas of new technologies that I’m most excited about is actually around coal.”
Climate Change
We could not find information regarding Pridemore’s views on climate change.
Nuclear
Pridemore is supportive of nuclear energy and has said the following regarding her views of its benefits: “Nuclear is clean, it is carbon-free and it burns 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.” She also supports the continued construction of Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant under expansion in Georgia: “A lot has been invested, not just in money, but also in time,” and “These projects have sort of crested to where we’re on the other side of the hill in terms of building them. We’ve kind of gotten to the point where they’re so close to being finished within two and a half, three and a half years, let’s just go ahead and see them on to completion.”
Clean Transportation
We could not find information regarding Pridemore’s views on clean transportation in general or electric vehicles specifically.
We encourage you to register and then vote this November. Click here for voting resources provided by the Georgia Secretary of State. If you are inspired by this blog and have questions for the candidate, please contact her campaign here.