Democrats take control of Georgia’s powerful utility regulator

Beginning in January, Democrats will hold three of the five seats on Georgia’s Public Service Commission, giving the party control of the powerful utility regulator for the first time in 30 years. The change follows two election cycles in which rising electricity bills and the energy demands of data centres became prominent campaign issues. The new majority says it will focus on affordability, clean energy and closer scrutiny of Georgia Power.

Commissioner Peter Hubbard plans to propose hearings on the causes of high bills and ways to reduce costs, while also examining Georgia Power’s requests to produce more energy and change rates. Any effect on household bills may take time, though observers expect decisions to change sooner. Georgia Power says data-centre revenue will put downward pressure on rates, including a claimed $15 a month for a typical customer under its OpenAI data-centre deal; this means it may offset increases, not necessarily lower bills. Advocacy groups have criticised the utility’s temporary rate freeze, saying it was announced before a commission hearing could test the company’s financial claims.