Historic Victory: Affordable Clean Energy Champions Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards Win Georgia Public Service Commission Races

ATLANTA — Tonight, Democrats Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards defeated Republicans Fitz Johnson and Josh Tolbert in decisive victories for Georgia families across the state. With Commissioner Hubbard re-elected and Edwards joining Commissioner Alicia Johnson, affordable clean energy champions now hold a majority on the Public Service Commission for the first time in 30 years. For the second year in a row, Georgians turned out to reject costly rate hikes and a commission that answered to Georgia Power instead of the families paying the bills. In recent polling, gas prices (46%) and utility bills (37%) ranked among voters’ top three issues, behind only groceries. 

For years, the Republican majority on the PSC approved rate hike after rate hike. Georgia Power has raised bills six times since 2023, costing families more than $500 a year. Meanwhile, Georgia Power’s parent company, Southern Company, reported $2.8 billion in earnings in the first six months of this year, and nearly 25 cents of every dollar Georgians pay on their power bill goes to shareholders. Fitz Johnson voted for Georgia Power bill increases and its multibillion-dollar expansion to serve data centers, and nearly 70% of his large contributions came from people and companies tied to the corporations he would regulate. Tolbert called himself “pro-data center” on his campaign website until July, then quietly changed it, while a dark money group tied to coal mining spent nearly $50,000 to elect him.

“Georgians sent a clear message tonight: they’re done paying more so Georgia Power’s shareholders can cash in,” said Climate Power’s Georgia State Director Mark McLaurin. “Fitz Johnson and Josh Tolbert sided with utilities and data centers over ratepayers, and voters held them accountable. Commissioner Hubbard, Shelia Edwards, and Commissioner Alicia Johnson will stand up for Georgia’s working families, put affordable clean energy first, and hold Georgia Power accountable.”

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