Georgia’s New Public Service Commissioner Says She Will Put Affordability and Transparency First

Alicia Johnson, the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Georgia and one of the first two Democrats to join the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) since 1998, is focused on bringing affordability and transparency to the state's energy sector. She seeks to reverse the trend of rate increases and fossil fuel expansion approved by previous commissions, which have led to rising electric bills for many Georgians. Johnson, who holds a PhD in business administration, emphasizes her background in community development and public policy. She plans to scrutinize utility decisions more rigorously, noting that energy costs represent over 19 percent of income for some working families in Georgia. A key part of her strategy is to enhance public understanding of the PSC's functions and ensure information is accessible to all residents, including those with disabilities or language barriers. Regarding the state's energy future, Johnson is committed to factoring long-term climate and environmental impacts into her decisions. She specifically mentioned supporting the decertification of Plant McIntosh due to its inefficiency. While acknowledging the inevitability of data center expansion in Georgia, Johnson insists on implementing "guardrails" to regulate their impact. She plans to collaborate with cities and counties to establish zoning policies that protect residents from environmental and public health concerns associated with large-load customers like data centers. Despite serving on a five-member commission often split along party lines, Johnson believes consensus can be built on "people policy" rather than partisan divides. She highlighted the significant voter turnout that led to her and Peter Hubbard's historic victories, signaling a public desire for change at the PSC.