This piece is part of a series of articles examining where 2026 Southeastern candidates for state and federal offices stand on key energy and climate issues, such as data centers, energy costs, and other relevant topics.
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.
In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Fitz Johnson, the Republican candidate running to represent District 3 on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Also in this series, we profile Democratic candidate Peter Hubbard. All eligible Georgia voters can vote in this election, no matter where they live. Election Day is November 3.
Fitz Johnson is a former District 3 Georgia Public Service Commissioner (PSC). He held the position for four years from 2021 to 2025. Johnson served in the United States Army for 20 years. After retiring, he led multiple businesses as an owner and CEO before he was appointed to the Commission by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Johnson supports an “all of the above” approach to make up Georgia’s energy resources mix, including nuclear, methane gas, coal, and renewables.
Climate Change
Fitz Johnson states on his campaign website that he has worked to stop the Green New Deal, he has characterized his opponent’s positions as “costly climate mandates,” and has posted on social media that “As a state, we cannot turn over the keys to Georgia’s grid to out-of-state climate activists who give no concern to your job, your monthly power bill, energy supply, or national security concerns.”
Electric Transportation
In December 2022, the PSC voted to approve a $1.8 billion rate increase requested by Georgia Power. Included in the utility’s request was $81 million for their electric vehicle charging programs Make Ready and Community Chargers. After PSC staff recommended only 10% of the original amount be approved, Fitz Johnson introduced an amendment to increase the amount to 65% of the original ask.
Energy Equity and Energy Burden
Fitz Johnson’s campaign website emphasizes that his priorities include “defending ratepayers” and delivering “affordability and reliability for every Georgia ratepayer.”
As commissioner, Fitz Johnson voted to increase the annual disbursement amount of Universal Service Funds for selected nonprofits to help fund bill assistance and home energy appliance upgrade programs, which help low-income utility customers.
Energy Affordability
Johnson voted for all six Georgia Power rate increases and a three-year freeze on customer base rates.
High-Risk Energy: Nuclear, Coal, Methane Gas
In December 2025, Fitz Johnson voted to approve Georgia Power’s plan to spend tens of billions of dollars on new power plants primarily to serve data centers. In the last five years, Johnson has voted in favor of all of Georgia Power’s proposed plans to greatly increase their number of fossil gas plants.
In July 2022 and 2025, he voted with his fellow commissioners to extend the life of a handful of Georgia Power’s coal units that were previously slated for retirement.
As part of a unanimous vote, Fitz Johnson approved Georgia Power’s request to shift $7.6 billion in nuclear plant Vogtle’s cost overruns onto the utility’s customers in December 2023.
Data Centers
Fitz Johnson voted in favor of a 2025 PSC rule that increased PSC oversight of Georgia Power contracts with large load customers like data centers. As a candidate this year, he has defended that rule from criticism, stating “Georgia’s large-load customer protections are among the strongest in the country, and many other states have looked to our framework as they develop their own policies.”
Voting Information
All eligible Georgia voters can vote in this election, no matter where they live. Election Day is November 3. Here are important dates and deadlines to consider:
- Oct. 5, 2026: Voter registration deadline
- Oct. 13, 2026: In-person early voting period begins
- Oct. 23, 2026: Absentee ballot request deadline
- Oct. 30, 2026: In-person early voting period ends
- Nov. 3, 2024: General Election Day
- Nov. 3, 2026: Absentee ballot return deadline
- Nov. 6, 2026: Vote-by-mail ballot return deadline for military and overseas citizen voters
Find additional important election information here.
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