ATLANTA — Georgia voters elected Shelia Edwards and incumbent Commissioner Peter Hubbard to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), sending a clear message that they’re done paying more on power bills while Georgia Power rakes in record profits. Together with Commissioner Alicia Johnson, elected last year, the three clean energy leaders will now hold a majority on the five-member body that decides what Georgia Power customers pay for electricity.
In response, Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said, “Georgians sent a clear message tonight that they’re done paying more so Georgia Power can reap record profits. Voters chose commissioners who will put families’ bills ahead of the monopoly utility’s bottom line. In just a year of service, Commissioner Hubbard has already shown he’ll stand up to Georgia Power’s costly gas building spree, and Commissioner-elect Edwards will make sure data center developers pay their own way. For the first time, Georgia has a commission majority that will advocate for customers over utility executives and shareholders while advancing affordable clean energy.”
Dr. Smith continued, “For far too long, utility regulators have rubber-stamped whatever the power company executives wanted, which has left consumers with sky-high utility bills, an infestation of data centers throughout communities, and increased environmental damage. Voters sent a clear message that they want change and demand accountability from their public service commissioners, whose job is to protect utility consumers from the excesses of corporate greed. These election results deliver a clear message rejecting Trump’s misguided energy dominance agenda that has increased costs for consumers, enriched utility and fossil fuel executives, all while rolling back environmental and health protections in our communities. The Georgia Public Service Commission can now get to work on lowering people’s bills with smarter, cleaner energy choices like solar, storage, and energy efficiency.”
Power bills were a top concern for voters across the state. The commission approved six Georgia Power bill increases between 2023 and 2025, and Georgia families are now paying on average $476 more per year. Meanwhile, Georgia Power’s parent company has reported billions in earnings, with 23% of each bill payment going to corporate profit. Two in three Georgians say their power bill has gone up recently, and 43% name corporate greed from the power company as one of the top two reasons.
Voters’ frustration crosses party lines. Georgia Power is viewed more unfavorably than favorably by Republicans (39% to 29%), Democrats (48% to 22%), and Independents (53% to 23%). Three in four Georgians are worried about data centers coming to the state, including 69% of Republicans, 82% of Democrats, and 72% of those with no party affiliation. Nearly two in three are concerned about data centers’ impact on their electricity bills, and 80%, including majorities of every party, want data centers required to bring their own clean power.
As we look ahead to the work before the Public Service Commission in 2027, we urge citizens to make their voices heard in the forthcoming “affordability docket,” Georgia Power’s integrated resource plans in 2027 and 2028, and the rate case in 2028.
The work now turns to delivering results for the future. SACE will engage with every commissioner to stop Georgia Power from rigging the system in favor of expensive, risky gas, keep data center costs off families’ bills, and put clean, affordable energy first.
Media contact: Amy Rawe, 865-235-1448, amyr@cleanenergy.org
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About the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible and equitable energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.
