Endorsement: Help Put The Public Back in The Public Service Commission
This is a ‘Throw The Bums Out’ area of electoral politics. The Public Service Commission oversees regulated monopolies and utility services in Georgia. They tried deregulating Natural Gas and everyone’s bills skyrocketed. People whom they regulate are allowed to donate money to their campaigns, so occasionally, you just have get new blood in there. Firing the old blood will even get us a new Commission Chair and Vice Chair!
David Burgess is the current chair and district 3 representative (Fulton, Dekalb, Clayton) and has supported many of the rate increases and expansions of fees sought by Georgia Power. While we do need more electricity, and while it is important for Southern Company to remain profitable, limiting junk fees on consumers is important. The price ought to be the price. Building another nuclear plant in Georgia may be the right thing, but a persuasive argument is yet to be made. Burgess, as chair of the commission, has not pushed for that. Instead, Voters should choose Chuck Eaton. Eaton will consider steps to lower natural gas costs, to improve the port of Savannah for improved fuel delivery, and require utilities to become more efficient. He’ll also have the chance to work in tandem with Bobby Baker to really have a consumerist approach to the commission and ask tough questions before giving Georgia Power the okay to issue the bonds to build a new power plant Georgians would have to pay for whether it ever runs or not.
In the district 5 race, Dawn Randolph represents some great new blood. First, she is not taking any Utility money nor donations from their executives. Second, she has a firm commitment to generated re-newable energy solutions in Georgia. Lastly, she has a firm commitment to an open process. Right now, deals are made in private meetings to which the Public is unwelcome. Randolph will end those. She has tremendous experience managing local government agencies and has a background in energy and environmental issues. She’s the right choice.