PSC hopeful criticizes rate hikes, touts energy reform in Macon stop

Early voting for two state Public Service Commission seats kicked off Oct. 14 in Bibb County — and one candidate recently appeared in Macon to rebuke an incumbent commissioner’s record and tout his own plans.

Peter Hubbard, the Democratic candidate for the commission’s District 3 seat, spoke about his plans for making power more affordable, bringing in new energy solutions, and data center growth and regulation. 

A small crowd of community members, local Democratic officials — including state Rep. Miriam Paris and state Sen. David Lucas — and party members gathered in Carolyn Crayton Park around Hubbard as he made remarks and took questions from the audience.

Hubbard is facing off against Republican Fitz Johnson, who has held the seat since 2021. The Democratic nominee said Johnson and his commission colleagues are responsible for several rate hikes over the past two years. He added that the hikes added up to about $600 for the average Georgian’s electric bill.

Hubbard — who founded the Georgia Center for Energy Solutions, a nonprofit organization advocating for green energy — also said he wants to limit building expensive fossil fuel infrastructure and instead turn to clean energy sources.

“There’s so much sun here in the state,” he said. “Right now, the thumb is on the scale for fossil fuels, with respect to this data center build-out and all of that.”

Twiggs County commissioners approved plans for a data center in the rural county in September, and officials in Jones County are discussing approving a center in that area. 

Hubbard said the state utility regulator has set up a “sweetheart” energy deal for data centers.

“They could contribute and help to lower our power bills by paying their fair share, but that’s not what’s happening,” he said.

The other commission seat up for grabs in the November election — District 2 — is currently held by Republican Tim Echols. He has held the seat since 2011 and is being challenged by Democrat Alicia Johnson.

Hubbard’s press conference took place near the Elaine Lucas Senior Center at 132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, one of three early voting locations in Bibb County. Registered voters can also complete early ballots at the board of elections office — 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite MB101 — or at the Theron Ussery Park Community Center at 815 North Macon Park Drive.

As of Oct. 15, 558 residents have voted.

Lucas, a Democrat who has represented Macon in the state Senate since 2013, said members of his party will mitigate rate hikes, and locals need to vote and exercise their “precious right.”

“I don’t care if you’re laying in bed — put on some overalls and go vote,” he said.