Georgia Public Service Commission Race Heats Up as Energy Bills Rise

The race for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission is heating up ahead of the May 19 primary, with early voting already underway. Ten candidates are vying for the positions, which oversee utilities like electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications.

The commission holds significant power over Georgians’ energy costs and the state’s climate future, as it regulates Georgia Power—the largest electric utility in the state. According to the PSC’s own description, “very few governmental agencies have as much impact on people’s lives as the PSC.”

Despite this influence, commission elections have historically received little attention. That changed in 2024, when rising energy bills frustrated voters, leading to the ousting of two Republican incumbents. Democrats won seats for the first time in 20 years, and now, with two seats up for election again, majority control of the commission is at stake.

Key Issues in the Race

Most candidates, regardless of party, agree on the top concerns:

• Keeping energy bills affordable for consumers
• Protecting ratepayers from the costs of powering data centers

District 3: A High-Stakes Reelection Battle

District 3, which includes metro Atlanta counties such as Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton, is a focal point of the race. Democrat Peter Hubbard, who won the seat in 2024, is running for reelection. Hubbard emphasized the need for a full six-year term to implement long-term changes, including expanding renewable energy and optimizing Georgia Power’s existing resources before investing in new infrastructure.

“There’s just a baseline to acting as a shield to imprudent spending. But I also think that a proactive commissioner can find even lower-cost solutions than what otherwise would be provided.”
— Peter Hubbard

Republican Fitz Johnson, who lost to Hubbard in 2024, is challenging him again. Johnson defended his record, stating that the commission has “100 percent, without doubt” protected ratepayers from data center costs.

“When it comes to the data centers and the large loads, we put the ratepayers first. We said we’re not going to put any burden on our ratepayers.”
— Fitz Johnson

During his tenure, Johnson supported a rate freeze and contract terms ensuring data centers bear their share of costs.