Political Pulse September/October 2025

POLITICAL PULSE

The Upcoming PSC Elections

CHRISTY TARALLO

Ask anyone what “PSC” stands for and you will likely get a dozen different responses. Pensacola State College. The Pet Sustainability Coalition. Product Service Code. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (I had to look that one up). Pre-stressed Concrete. Public Service Commission.

We’ll focus on the latter PSC here (partly because I still don’t know what Cholangitis is) and partly because the Public Service Commission is so incredibly important for Georgia’s citizens and businesses, even if they don’t realize it.

The Georgia Public Service Commission was originally established in the late 19th century as the Railroad Commission of Georgia, with the sole purpose of regulating passenger and freight railroad rates, services, and operations. The Commission’s role has evolved significantly since then, through statutory and legislative efforts, and now operates as a five-member board to oversee telecom, natural gas, and electric utilities and services.

The PSC regulates electric companies, like Georgia Power, gas providers like Gas South and Atlanta Gas Light, and telecom providers like Windstream, and Cox Communications. It also handles some disputes with EMCs and municipal services agreements.

According to the PSC’s website their purpose is to “make decisions that affect the lives of every Georgian each time a landline telephone is picked up, a light is turned on or a gas burner is used.” It goes on to say, “the [PSC’s] decisions affect how much people pay for such necessary services as their electricity, telephone and natural gas… very few governmental agencies have as much impact on peoples' lives.”

Given the utility commission’s oversight, it has authority to approve or deny electricity and natural gas rates proposals for consumers within the state and is largely in charge of the feasibility of our power and gas grids. Croy CEO Greg Teague told me that’s why “the PSC election this November is vital to our business outlook.” He continued, “dependability and reliability of our utility infrastructure is a key factor in Economic Development in Georgia. If Georgia can’t supply electricity, natural gas, and other essential services, businesses won’t come... As Engineers, our businesses depend on this economic growth to provide opportunities for our businesses to prosper.”

You may be wondering, with such significant authority, why have I not seen PSC members on my ballot during the past two elections?

Because this November, for the first time in five years, Georgians will have the opportunity to vote for two of the commissioners on the powerful utility governing board.

The Commission’s members are elected in statewide races but only represent districts—a fact that has held up elections for the members since 2022. Pending lawsuits have canceled three years of PSC elections as a challenge to the district-based representation but at-large voting status was litigated in the courts.

The lawsuit that has resulted in these delays has had a circuitous path to resolution. In 2022, a suit challenging the legality of statewide voting for members was filed. The crux of the suit was that the statewide system discriminated against Black voters and violated the Voting Rights Act, resulting in only one Black member being elected to the Commission throughout its history. The suit argued that a district-based election would be more representative of the population any given Commissioner represents.

In August of 2022, just 3 months before that year’s election, a US District Court judge canceled the election after agreeing

with the plaintiffs that the at-large status was a violation of the Voting Rights Act. Though, in the ruling, he lamented that his decision would, in fact, cause delays. The decision was successfully appealed, and in November of 2023 the 11th Circuit ruled in favor of the status quo and stated Georgia could continue with it’s previous at-large voting system, citing the state government’s authority to make district and at-large voting decisions. However, in March of 2024, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger paused the election again, citing pending challenges to the November 2023 ruling. Finally, in January of this year, US District Court Judge William Ray, dismissed the case.

Given the long-drawn out nature of the legal battle, the state passed a law last year extending the terms of the existing commissioners and setting a new election schedule. This has afforded the District 2 & 3 Commissioners cover for serving beyond their original terms, which legally expired in 2022, and has essentially reset the terms of all remaining Commissioners.

Despite the fact that the last election for a member of the PSC was held in 2020, the commission’s work hasn’t been delayed or canceled like the elections have. In fact, the PSC has handled six rate increase requests since the last election, the latest one resulting in an agreement by Georgia Power to hold base rates at the same amount for the next three years. The Commission has also heard and acted upon various power agreements, many of which are the result of the proliferation of data centers popping up throughout the state.

This November, incumbents Tim Echols (who has served since 2011), and Fitz Johnson (who has served since being appointed to the PSC by Governor Brian Kemp in 2021) will be up for reelection. Mr. Echols is being challenged by Democrat Alicia Johnson while Mr. Johnson is being challenged by Democrat Peter Hubbard.

This is a very important race that affects all Georgians, as well as our industry. With no other statewide races on the ballot, turnout will be low and a relatively small number of people will decide who holds these powerful positions. That makes it even more vitally important that you to let your voice be heard this November and go vote in the PSC election. You can also have a little fun asking your friends what they think PSC stands for.