Democrats take Georgia Power regulator for first time in 30 years

Democrats win Georgia's energy regulator

Beginning in January, three of five Georgia Public Service Commission officials will be Democrats. It will be the first time the party has controlled the powerful energy regulation board in thirty years.

Rising bills and data centers drive scrutiny

The commission regulates utilities including Georgia Power, the state's largest electric provider. It has come under more scrutiny in recent years due to rising power bills and the high energy demands of data centers.

Democrats plan affordability hearings first

Democratic commissioner Peter Hubbard, who won reelection this week, said one priority will be launching an affordability docket. This series of hearings would investigate reasons for high power bills and ways to save customers money.

“There's a long laundry list of things that need to be looked into.”

Changes will take time, expert warns

Emory University associate professor Kristin Phillips, who studies energy burden and the PSC, said immediate effects on power bills may not come. But she expects immediate change in the types of decisions that are made.

“We may not be able to expect immediate effects on our wallets.”