Hubbard re-elected, Edwards wins open seat; new majority faces immediate test on bills, data centers and Georgia’s energy future
ATLANTA – Georgia voters re-elected Commissioner Peter Hubbard to a full term and elected Shelia Edwards to the Public Service Commission’s open District 5 seat, giving Democrats a 3-2 majority on the Commission for the first time since the 1990s. Edwards won despite more than $2.5 million in pro-industry spending supporting her opponent, much of it from groups that do not disclose their donors.
The election comes after years of organizing over rising utility costs, as Georgians have grown increasingly concerned about electricity bills and rapid data-center growth. Recent statewide GCV polling found that 66% of voters say their electric bills have gone up, 61% view data centers negatively, and Georgia Power’s standing has fallen sharply, with just 24% viewing the company favorably and 47% unfavorably.
“Georgians didn’t flip this Commission by accident. This has been years in the making. In communities across Georgia, people have organized around high power bills and demanded more accountability from the people and corporations making decisions about their energy future,” said Brionté McCorkle, Executive Director of Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund. “Tonight, voters changed who has the power to make those decisions. Now the test is what happens next.”
Data centers have been part of Georgia’s infrastructure for years. What has changed is the extraordinary scale of new development and the amount of electricity, water, land, and public infrastructure that growth can require. Georgia can grow without making families and communities pay the price.
“We ran against the idea that Georgians should finance Big Tech’s electricity,” McCorkle said. “That question reaches across party lines because people understand fairness. If a company needs enormous amounts of new infrastructure to make money, families and small businesses should not be left carrying the costs and risks.”
Commissioners Hubbard, Edwards, and Alicia Johnson will form a governing majority in January. Their first responsibility is clear: protect customers from unnecessary costs and risks, scrutinize the power company’s unprecedented demand forecasts before locking customers into billions in new power plants and grid infrastructure, and meet real demand with the cleanest, lowest-cost, reliable energy available.
The new Commission will have significant power to protect customers and shape Georgia’s energy future, but the PSC cannot solve these challenges alone. The General Assembly controls statewide protections and tax policy, while local governments and development authorities shape where projects go and what communities receive in return. And beginning in January, Georgia’s next governor will have enormous influence over the state’s economic-development strategy, energy priorities, and the agencies responsible for managing growth.
Following the historic victories at the Georgia Public Service Commission, Georgia is celebrating another unprecedented milestone as former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms claims victory in the race for governor, becoming the first Black woman ever elected governor in United States history. Her election represents a transformative moment for Georgia and an opportunity to chart a new course for the state’s future. Alongside the newly elected PSC commissioners, Governor-elect Bottoms has the opportunity to advance meaningful progress on clean energy, climate action, and energy affordability. Together, these victories create renewed momentum for policies that prioritize Georgia families, expand access to affordable and reliable clean energy, hold utility providers accountable, and build a healthier, more sustainable future for all Georgians.
GCVAF will host a virtual press briefing Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. ET on the election results, what they mean for Georgians and communities, and the accountability agenda for 2027. This will take place virtually, over Zoom. Click here to RSVP.
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Georgia Conservation Voters Action Fund (GCVAF) is a Section 527 political organization whose mission is to campaign for candidates who will advance climate and environmental justice. GCVAF is part of the Georgia Conservation Voters family of organizations, which also includes Georgia Conservation Voters, Inc., a 501(c)(4) organization, and GCVictory Fund, a political action committee.