Georgia Voters to Elect Public Service Commission in 2026
The upcoming election for state utility regulators may determine the future direction of Georgia Power energy rates.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Utilities
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Should concerns about rising energy costs influence how you vote in local utility regulator elections?
Georgia voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to elect representatives for the Public Service Commission. The results of this election have the potential to shift the current Republican 3-2 majority to the Democratic party.
Why it matters
The outcome is critical as commissioners regulate Georgia Power and oversee major decisions regarding generation capacity and energy pricing. Residents are increasingly frustrated following average monthly residential bill increases of $43 between 2023 and 2025.
The commission currently manages 16 GW of committed large energy loads and recently approved 10 GW of new generation capacity in December 2025. This includes a 3.2 GW allocation for an Open AI data center.
The players
Georgia Public Service Commission
This state regulatory body is responsible for overseeing public utility companies like Georgia Power.
Georgia Power
This is the primary electric utility provider operating across the state of Georgia.
Fitz Johnson
He is a candidate seeking election to represent District 3 on the Public Service Commission.
Peter Hubbard
He is a candidate running to represent District 3 on the Public Service Commission.
Shelia Edwards
She is a candidate contesting the seat for District 5 on the Public Service Commission.
The details
The commission has frozen Georgia Power base rates through 2028, though it continues to navigate pressure to approve between 2 and 6 GW of additional generation capacity. Candidates for District 3 include Fitz Johnson and Peter Hubbard, while District 5 features Shelia Edwards and Josh Tolbert.
Timeline
Georgia Power implemented rate hikes from 2023 to 2025.
The commission approved 10 GW of new capacity in December 2025.
The Public Service Commission election occurs in November 2026.
Newly elected commissioners take office on December 31, 2026.
The base rate freeze expires in 2028.
Market Landscape
The state's regulatory environment is currently defined by the Georgia Public Service Commission's base rate freeze, which impacts long-term utility planning. The 2026 election will determine whether the body continues this trajectory or shifts its approach toward generation oversight.
Residents are directly impacted by commission decisions that influence monthly power bills, which rose by an average of $43 between 2023 and 2025. The election results will shape the regulatory approach toward future rate hikes and the expansion of large-scale data center energy contracts.
The takeaway
Voters should track how commission candidates plan to balance the massive energy demands of data centers with the cost of service for residential users. Monitoring pending requests for additional capacity will provide insight into how energy rates might evolve after the 2028 rate freeze ends.
What happens next
Newly elected commissioners are scheduled to assume their official roles on December 31, 2026, following the November general election.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's energy landscape on our Georgia Utilities page.
Live Poll
Should concerns about rising energy costs influence how you vote in local utility regulator elections?
