Solar industry spends to flip control of Georgia utility commission
Georgia’s Public Service Commission race could shift control to Democrats, with solar industry spending $250,000 to support clean energy-friendly candidates amid rising utility bills and gas plant expansions.
Georgia voters will decide in November whether to flip control of the state’s Public Service Commission, a body that sets utility rates and approves infrastructure projects. The commission’s decisions directly impact household energy costs, which have risen following recent approvals of rate hikes. Democrats gained two seats last year, but one incumbent faces re-election while another seeks an open seat, drawing attention from clean energy advocates. The race is also tied to Georgia Power’s plans to build new gas plants to serve AI data centers, raising affordability concerns.
The solar industry is investing $250,000 in digital and streaming ads to support Democratic candidates Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards. This marks SEIA’s largest election expenditure since federal tax credits for renewables were slashed in last year’s budget law. The group aims to counter fossil fuel lobbying by strategically targeting races where small investments can yield significant policy shifts. SEIA’s approach reflects a shift toward building political influence after setbacks in federal clean energy policies.
A separate coalition of clean energy investors and entrepreneurs launched a $15 million effort to target lawmakers who opposed renewable energy policies in the federal budget process. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition PAC claims success in the primary, with five targeted candidates losing and one pro-renewables Republican winning. SEIA has distanced itself from this more confrontational strategy, focusing instead on supporting allies in winnable races like Georgia’s PSC contest.
The outcome of the PSC race could shape Georgia’s energy future, as regulators decide whether to approve more gas plants or prioritize solar and battery storage. The current commission approved six rate hikes since 2023 and last December authorized 10 gigawatts of new gas plants, estimated to add $20 per month to household bills. A Democratic majority could push for cheaper, cleaner alternatives, while recent ethics concerns involving a departing commissioner have fueled skepticism about the commission’s priorities.