Georgia Power Rates Explained ?
Get ‘N Your Business Podcast — Bonus Episode
Guest: Tim Echols, Georgia Public Service Commissioner (District 2)
Host: Alison Shores, Camden County Chamber of Commerce
Episode Summary
Alison sits down with Commissioner Tim Echols to demystify what the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) actually does and how its decisions touch everyday life and local business. Echols explains Georgia’s utility territory system (why you can’t “choose” your power company), how the PSC sets rates based on the true cost of building and maintaining the grid, and why reliability outranks everything—especially in storm-prone coastal communities. He breaks down summer vs. winter rates, the state’s 26% reserve margin and tree-trimming policies, and gives a homeowner’s view of rooftop solar (real costs, savings, and why panels shut off during outages without a battery). He also talks battery backups for multi-day resilience, limited PSC oversight of EMCs, hydrogen developments (Plug Power, Hyundai’s Class 8 hydrogen trucks), and how local zoning will shape future data-center opportunities in Camden County. The conversation closes with Echols’ candid advocacy against human trafficking—and his “Batman Commissioner” nickname—plus where to learn more.
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⏱️ Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:37 Meet Commissioner Tim Echols
1:20 PSC 101 — What it does and why it matters
2:35 Why you can’t pick your utility in GA (territories)
5:00 Water: who regulates what?
6:11 How rates are set (the real “cost pie”)
10:21 Coastal reliability & storm readiness
11:58 Tree trimming, substations, and outages
13:38 Reserve margin vs. rolling blackouts
14:08 Solar at home: cost, savings, and payback
16:24 Batteries vs. generators (hurricane season tips)
17:25 What PSC regulates for EMCs
18:18 Pole-attachment rates (cable/telecom)
18:24 Hydrogen & Plug Power; Hyundai’s Class 8 trucks
21:07 Keeping costs predictable; 3-year base-rate freeze
22:57 Why summer bills feel higher
24:22 Zoning, data centers, and local decisions
27:23 GA Power vs. national average; global gas markets
29:00 Human trafficking advocacy (“Batman Commissioner”)
33:05 Wrap-up & where to learn more
Summary Highlights
PSC 101 — What it Regulates:
From its railroad roots to today’s oversight of electric, gas, and right-of-way utilities; counties/cities handle most water.Why You Can’t Pick Your Utility:
Georgia’s legislature established service territories in 1973; customers take the provider assigned to their location.How Rates Are Set (Not “Warm & Fuzzy”):
Rates reflect a cost pie (plants, lines, storm repair, fuel, compliance like coal-ash monitoring) ÷ number of customers, with different rate plans for homes, businesses, data centers, and solar customers.Three-Year Base-Rate Freeze:
PSC and Georgia Power agreed to hold the per-kWh base rate steady for three years; summer bills can still be higher because more (and costlier) generation runs in peak heat.Reliability Above All:
Georgia maintains ~26% reserve margin to avoid rolling blackouts; trade-off is slightly higher cost vs. risking 8+ “at-risk” days each year.Storm & Grid Resilience:
Importance of tree trimming, understanding substations and distribution, plus deploying utility-scale batteries.Solar, Simply Explained:
Echols’ 8-panel setup (~$6,200, ~$35/mo savings; ~8-year payback with tax credit). Panels shut off in outages for worker safety unless paired with home batteries.Battery Backup > Generator (for many):
Home battery walls can keep essentials running for days without refueling—useful in hurricane season.EMCs vs. Georgia Power:
PSC’s EMC oversight is limited (financing approvals, pole-attachment rates for telecom/cable).Hydrogen & Industry in GA:
Hyundai is piloting Class 8 hydrogen trucks for supplier “milk runs”; Plug Power is part of Georgia’s growing clean-tech scene even though the state didn’t land the federal hydrogen hub.Local Growth & Data Centers:
Camden’s land position could invite data center proposals; outcomes hinge on county zoning and community priorities.Energy Prices & Global Events:
Natural-gas markets (e.g., Europe’s LNG demand) ripple into Georgia bills; historically below U.S. average, Georgia moved closer after recent increases.Public Safety Advocacy:
Echols highlights his work fighting human trafficking, including awareness tours and support for law-enforcement efforts.Resource:
Learn more at timEchols.com — and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the show!
