Public Service Commission candidates debate data centers
Candidates for the Georgia Public Service Commission debated how the state should manage rising utility costs due to a major increase in electricity demand, largely driven by data centers. Key topics included who should bear the costs of new energy infrastructure for data centers and the potential for a moratorium on new data center development. The PSC's role in regulating Georgia Power and its long-term energy plans was central to the discussion.
Three candidates for the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) debated the state's approach to managing rising utility costs and increasing electricity demand from data centers during a forum in Atlanta. Democrat Shelia Edwards, Republican Josh Tolbert, and Democratic Commissioner Peter Hubbard, who are competing for two seats on the five-member commission, presented their differing views.
Georgia Power's projections for future electricity demand have risen sharply, with the PSC approving 9,900 megawatts of new energy resources, approximately 80% of which is anticipated to serve data centers. This surge in demand raises questions about who should fund the necessary power plants and transmission infrastructure. Tolbert argued that data centers should be responsible for all costs their demand creates, including a return on investment for ratepayers. Edwards advocated for an aggressive response to rising bills, including no more rate increases without a plan to reduce them, and supported a longer pause on new data center development to allow communities more input on their impacts.
Hubbard, who joined the commission in January, emphasized a multi-faceted approach to affordability, including scrutinizing utility costs and making better decisions on energy resources. He also suggested requiring data centers to have load flexibility to reduce the need for one-to-one megawatt expansions of power plants. The PSC's role focuses on regulating utilities and energy infrastructure, while local governments handle data center land-use decisions. The commission is also investigating whether large customers, including data centers, are shifting fuel costs onto residential customers.