Tuesday’s Georgia Public Service Commission meeting was like many others the powerful state utility regulator holds each year.
In just 90 seconds, the PSC breezed through an agenda that was likely of little concern to most Georgians. It fined a handful of companies for breaching state rules that protect underground infrastructure and approved some telecommunications service changes.
But what the meeting lacked in length, it made up for in historical and political significance. For the first time in roughly 20 years, there were two Democratics seated on the PSC’s dais.
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
The session was the first for Commissioners Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson, the two Democrats who overwhelmingly defeated Republican incumbents Fitz Johnson and Tim Echols in November’s PSC elections.
On Tuesday, Hubbard, wearing a brown sport coat, checkered button down and tie, and Johnson, donning a denim-collared shirt and gold hoop earrings, assumed the seats their former political opponents had held for years.
There were the kinds of first-day hiccups employees of all kinds can relate to. Neither Hubbard’s nor Johnson’s name placards were displayed yet, though Johnson said she’d been assured they’ve been ordered.
Still, the pair received a warm, in-person welcome from Vice Chairman Bubba McDonald, while the PSC’s two other Republicans, Chairman Jason Shaw and Commissioner Tricia Pridemore, joined the proceedings remotely.
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
The commission they are now part of has been in the spotlight lately, mainly because of its decision-making around the state’s largest electric utility, Georgia Power.
The PSC sets the electricity rates paid by Georgia Power’s 2.8 million customers, but also decides how it generates power and how much the monopoly utility can profit from its investments. A series of six rate increases approved by the commission when it was composed of all Republicans has pushed many Georgia Power residential customers’ rates up sharply.
Both Hubbard’s and Johnson’s successful campaigns blamed the incumbents for the higher power bills, while promising to provide relief and greater access to clean energy.
Their victories sent shock waves across the state and nation, helping to thrust “energy affordability” into the center of the political conversation.
Despite the November defeats, Republicans will still maintain a 3-to-2 edge on the PSC for now. But Hubbard and Johnson give Democrats a foothold, one they’ve lacked for most of this century.
Before their victories, Democrats had not captured a PSC seat since 2000, when David Burgess won and became the commission’s first Black member since its inception in 1879.
Burgess was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting, sitting at the back of the hearing room next to his daughter and some utility lobbyists. But before the proceedings started, he approached the dais to introduce himself to Johnson.
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
He said he wanted to “wish her the best and congratulate her on being elected.”
Like Burgess’ election years ago, Johnson’s ascent is also steeped in history. Johnson, a health care consultant and community advocate, is the first Black woman to serve on the PSC. Although Black women have served in and won statewide judicial seats, Johnson is the first elected to a statewide executive office in Georgia. She will serve a five-year term.
Hubbard, meanwhile, will have to switch back into campaign mode almost immediately. After court battles postponed the past few PSC election cycles, he was elected to serve an unusual one-year term.
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com
The new commissioners may not have much opportunity to rein in power bills in the short term. Last year, the Republicans voted to keep Georgia Power’s current rates steady through 2028.
Still, Hubbard said he will seek other avenues to deliver on his promises to secure cheaper, cleaner power for Georgians.
The Georgia General Assembly begins meeting next week, and Hubbard says he expects to have an active presence there. He said he’s spoken to lawmakers about providing expert testimony and plans to push for any bills he thinks could tamp down energy costs.
“I want to be proactive, in that sense, in talking about what can be done now and what can be done with more levers of power,” he said.
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