New Dem regulators plan to take on Georgia Power’s data center gas boom
Georgia’s newly elected Democratic Public Service Commission members plan to challenge Georgia Power’s planned gas-fired power expansion for data centers, citing rising bills and unproven demand forecasts.
Georgia’s Public Service Commission flipped to Democratic control after statewide elections, with new members vowing to address rising electricity costs linked to Georgia Power’s fossil fuel expansion. The utility’s December 2025 plan, approved by Republicans, includes nearly 10 gigawatts of new gas plants and batteries to serve proposed data centers, despite staff recommendations to limit capacity. The new commissioners argue the buildout risks locking in decades of high costs and emissions, while alternatives like solar and efficiency could save billions.
Georgia Power faces criticism for six recent rate hikes totaling over 33% for residential customers, averaging more than $500 annually, while profits rise. Commissioner-elect Shelia Edwards and reelected Peter Hubbard, both Democrats, have pledged to scrutinize the utility’s gas-heavy strategy and demand greater transparency on contracts with data center developers. Their opposition reflects public frustration over affordability and environmental concerns tied to the expansion.
The PSC’s new Democratic majority can now revisit Georgia Power’s December plan and a subsequent April request for up to 6 gigawatts of additional capacity, which critics fear will further prioritize gas over cleaner resources. Hubbard, a former utility planner, has proposed a cost-optimized portfolio using solar, batteries, and efficiency to meet demand at lower expense. Environmental groups argue the gas buildout could cost customers $50 billion to $60 billion over its lifespan.
Georgia Power disputes claims of customer burden, asserting that data center contracts and growing sales will offset costs. However, critics highlight a lack of transparency in these agreements, including OpenAI’s 3.2-gigawatt data center contract approved by Republican commissioners in August without full disclosure of financial safeguards. Advocates urge the PSC to prioritize flexible, lower-risk resources like virtual power plants instead of long-lived gas plants.