Protect Georgians. During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Public Service Commission let Georgia Power shut families’ air conditioning off during deadly heatwaves. They risked thousands of people’s lives.
Diversifyour energy. With more solar, wind, and storage, we can increase grid reliability and make sure every family can afford the energy they need.
Upgrade and fortify our power lines and other energy infrastructure, so we can ensure safe, reliable power for Georgians during a crisis.
Bring Clean Tech Jobs to Georgia
Ensure that new job generating clean energy technologies like solar, wind, and battery storage are the first choice for Georgia’s energy growth, rather than the 20th century approach of building large power plants in which consumers have no say.
Adopt 21st century programs like peak energy rebates, community solar, and rooftop solar so people can participate in any way they choose and save money. In other states these programs save consumers hundreds of dollars per year, reduce air and water pollution, and prevent the need to build costly new power plants.
Ensure Energy Justice
Studies show that poorer people and people of color are charged more because of poor construction practices and lower building code enforcement in their communities. I will adopt programs to retrofit homes with updated efficiency standards and bring Georgia up from 45th place for energy efficiency spending.
Adapt successful environmental justice programs from neighboring states like North Carolina to our unique needs. Such programs must ensure equal access to clean air, water, and energy for all. Ensure programs are identified, prioritized, and led by local community leaders.
Give Georgians access to their energy data. This will allow consumers and third party businesses to work together to innovate and lower prices.
Lower Energy Bills
Reduce rates without building expensive new power plants. Programs such as demand response and energy efficiency similar to Maryland and D.C. prevent the need for large rate increases. We can do the same here and save Georgians money.
Prevent GA Power from overcharging compared to other utilities of comparable size. The current commission has never seen a rate increase they didn’t like. I will end the practice of rubber stamping GA Power’s endless rate increase requests
Free the Solar Energy Market
Remove barriers limiting the adoption of rooftop solar. South Carolina has half the population of Georgia but more than 20,000 solar customers; Florida has 60,000; and Georgia has only 4,300. That’s less than one-half of one percent of Georgia Power customers, meaning 99 out of 100 people Georgia Power serves are denied the chance to choose where their energy comes from and save money because of a fake, utility-imposed limit.
Customers with solar save about $800-$1200 per year on electricity costs and anyone who wants to should be able to participate in such savings.
Address Climate Change
Adopt a carbon pollution measuring system similar to states like Illinois and North Carolina and set a target to attain carbon neutrality by 2035.
Require utilities to factor in pollution, extreme weather vulnerability, and damage to the climate when estimating the costs and benefits of energy sources.
Remove barriers limiting the adoption of rooftop solar. South Carolina has half the population of Georgia but has more than 20,000 customers with solar; Florida has 60,000; and Georgia has only 4,300. That’s less than one-half of one percent of Georgia Power customers, meaning 99 out of 100 people Georgia Power serves are denied the chance to choose where their energy comes from and save money because of a fake, utility-imposed limit. We can and should do better. Customers with solar save about $800-$1200 per year on electricity costs and anyone who wants to should be able to participate in such savings.
Bring Honesty to the Commission
End secret commissioner meetings with lobbyists during rate increase hearings. This is illegal in 49 states.
Provide public access to secret utility reports. Utility reports are currently redacted or labeled a “trade secret” to block the public from holding them accountable.
Provide free transcripts for public hearings. The Ga PSC is a state agency funded by taxpayers. Yet transcripts cost .40¢ per page and run into hundreds of dollars, blocking public participation & transparency.
Rein in Corporate Waste at Plant Vogtle
Plant Vogtle needs a budget, not a blank check. Any costs exceeding that budget must be paid by Georgia Power shareholders and not customers. Even if all work stopped today, Georgians are on the hook for $30 billion – a 100% cost overrun. That makes Vogtle the most expensive power plant ever built on earth.
Vogtle caused rate increases are expected to begin in 2022 and are likely to make GA Power customers pay the highest bills in the nation.
Vogtle needs effective leaders who ensure safety. Multiple safety violations mean it’s time for new leaders.
Deliver High Quality Internet for All
Remove barriers to quality, reliable, affordable internet. The pandemic exposed gaping holes in Georgia’s internet coverage. The internet is required in order for people to work from home, attend virtual classes, look for work, and engage in their community. Over 10% of the state lacks high quality internet. The Ga PSC has authority to help fix that.
Establish reasonable rates for internet pole attachment fees.
Work with Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives to assist them in expanding into rural communities that private providers like Comcast do not find profitable to serve.
