By Jasmine Stark
Made with assistance from generative AI.
On November 4, 2025, Georgia voters will weigh in on two key races for the Public Service Commission (PSC)—the state agency responsible for regulating utilities such as electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications. The outcome of these elections could influence decisions on energy policy, utility rates, and renewable energy development across the state.
Voters will be deciding on District 2 and District 3, both of which are currently held by Republican incumbents. Challenging them are two Democratic newcomers with professional backgrounds in energy, healthcare, and public service. Though PSC races are technically partisan, the issues at stake often cross political lines—making candidate experience, priorities, and transparency key considerations for voters.
District 2: Tim Echols vs. Alicia Johnson
Tim Echols has served on the PSC since 2011, making him the longest-serving commissioner currently on the board. A native of Atlanta, he holds multiple degrees from the University of Georgia, including master’s degrees in mass communication and nonprofit management. Before joining the PSC, Echols spent 15 years in the private sector and founded “TeenPact,” a leadership training organization.
During his time on the commission, Echols has built a reputation for supporting nuclear energy development, electric vehicle expansion, and economic incentives for energy innovation. His critics, however, have occasionally raised concerns about transparency and ratepayer protections, particularly amid rising energy bills in recent years.
Challenging Echols is Alicia Johnson, a consultant from Augusta with a background in human services, economic development, and healthcare. She holds a Ph.D. from Northcentral University and has built a career advocating for underserved communities.
Johnson’s platform emphasizes fair and affordable energy rates, increased transparency in PSC decision-making, and a stronger push toward renewable energy development. She argues that the commission needs new perspectives to better represent everyday consumers and adapt to modern energy challenges.
District 3: Fitz Johnson vs. Peter Hubbard
Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2021, Fitz Johnson has served on the PSC for four years. A former military officer and business executive, he entered public service with a focus on infrastructure development, national security, and private sector innovation.
While on the PSC, Johnson has supported projects aimed at improving grid reliability and modernizing Georgia’s energy infrastructure. Supporters praise his experience in leadership and finance, but opponents question whether his business ties may affect impartiality when setting consumer utility rates.
He is seeking a full term after being nominated by Republicans earlier this year.
Running against Johnson is Peter Hubbard, a clean energy advocate and project director in the renewable energy industry. Originally from Ohio and now based in Georgia, Hubbard has focused his campaign on lowering utility costs, expanding clean energy options, and increasing accountability within the PSC.
Hubbard argues that Georgia needs commissioners with firsthand knowledge of modern energy systems and a willingness to challenge powerful utility companies when consumer interests are at stake.
Legal and Political Context
These elections are happening under increased public scrutiny following years of legal challenges related to Georgia’s at-large PSC election system, which critics claimed diluted the influence of Black voters. Originally scheduled for 2022, the elections for Districts 2 and 3 were delayed until the courts allowed them to proceed. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case earlier this year, clearing the way for the 2025 special elections.
Public attention has also intensified in response to recent decisions by the PSC that have directly impacted utility bills across the state. In the past three years, the commission approved six separate rate increases, resulting in the average Georgia Power customer paying roughly $43 more per month than in 2022.
These increases were driven by several factors:
- Plant Vogtle cost overruns: Billions in additional expenses from the long-delayed nuclear expansion were passed on to ratepayers.
- Rising fuel prices: Increased costs for natural gas and other fuels contributed significantly to rate hikes.
- Infrastructure investment: Modernizing the grid and meeting growing demand added to costs.
- Energy demand from data centers: The rapid expansion of energy-intensive data centers in Georgia has pushed up demand—and rates.
- Staggered adjustments: Increases were phased in between 2023 and 2025, including base rate hikes and fuel-related surcharges.
In an effort to provide some financial stability for consumers, the PSC approved a new agreement in July 2025 that freezes base electric rates through 2027. While this agreement offers some predictability, costs related to fuel price changes, storm recovery, and large customer energy use could still affect monthly bills.
Despite the freeze, electric rates are still expected to change next year depending on the costs associated with storm repairs from Hurricane Hellene and the scheduled review of fuel costs.
Critics also worry that the rate freeze will result in an even larger rate hike in 2028 as deferred costs add up.
Key Issues for Voters
Regardless of party lines, voters across Georgia are focused on several pressing issues:
- Rising utility costs: With bills up sharply since 2022, affordability has become a central concern.
- Energy diversification: Candidates differ on how quickly and aggressively Georgia should shift toward renewable sources like solar and wind.
- Transparency and accountability: Some voters feel the PSC needs more open deliberations and responsiveness to public input.
- Ratepayer protection from large users: Voters have also expressed concern about whether energy-hungry data centers are driving up residential rates.
To address this last issue, the PSC adopted a new rule in January 2025 aimed at protecting existing customers from the financial impact of serving large energy users. Under this rule, Large-load customers—defined as those consuming 100 megawatts or more—must now pay for their own transmission and distribution infrastructure. All new contracts with these customers require PSC review to ensure fairness and transparency.
The rule’s primary aim is to prevent rate hikes for residential and small business customers as data center energy consumption continues to grow. PSC commissioners said the rule was a direct response to concerns from consumer advocates who warned that the unchecked growth of data centers could lead to even higher electricity costs for everyday Georgians.
What’s Next
The outcome of the PSC elections will likely have long-term implications for how Georgia navigates the transition to cleaner energy, manages growth in demand, and balances ratepayer protections with utility investments.
With early voting beginning October 14, 2025, and Election Day on November 4, 2025, all Georgia voters are eligible to cast ballots in these statewide races. At a time when energy decisions are directly hitting household budgets, the choices voters make this November will shape the state’s utility landscape for years to come.
Sources:
- VOTEATL: 2025 Public Service Commission election. Center for Civic Innovation. (2025, July 16). https://civicatlanta.org/voteatl/2025-psc
- Georgia Public Service Commission election, 2025. Ballotpedia. (n.d.). https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia_Public_Service_Commission_election,_2025
- Jones, E. (2025, July 7). PSC freezes Georgia power rates, but bills could still increase. TheCurrentga.org. https://thecurrentga.org/2025/07/07/psc-freezes-georgia-power-rates-but-bills-could-still-increase/#:~:text=Under%20the%20agreement%20reached%20by,Some%20critics%20were%20less%20certain.
- Georgia Public Service Commission. (2025, January 23). PSC Approves Rule to Allow New Power Usage Terms For Data Centers. https://psc.ga.gov/site/assets/files/8617/media_advisory_data_centers_rule_1-23-2025.pdf
