Protesters disrupt PSC hearing as Georgia Power pushes massive energy expansion

The Georgia Public Service Commission hearing started in turmoil Wednesday morning as protesters were removed for not following proper procedures. 

The hearing was the first for the public to show their dissent or support for the Georgia Power request to expand its capacity by nearly 10,000 megawatts. 

PSC Chairman Jason Shaw was drowned out as he started the meeting by a group chanting, “Power to the people, not Georgia Power,” among other things, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Once the protesters were removed from the hearing, the proceedings began with public comments regarding the proposal.

Dr. Preeti Jaggi, a pediatrician in DeKalb County, said the commission is failing to uphold its charges to ensure Georgians have safely generated electricity.

“The burning of coal, methane gas, oil and biomass is not safe for Georgians. The only safe prescription for all Georgians is clean and renewable energy,” she said.

State Rep. Robert Flournoy, D-Hampton, said Georgia is growing, and the state needs to ensure energy reliability across the state.

“I’m urging a balanced, disciplined approach to modernization. Yes, we must build a stronger grid,” he said. “Yes, we must prepare for the stronger demands of such things as electric vehicles and an expanding economy, but we must do so in a way that does not saddle Georgians with exorbitant costs or unchecked hikes that outpace wages and household budgets.”

Louis Gordon, founder of the nonprofit Veve, woke up at 4 a.m. to drive from Valdosta for the hearing. He said the deep red Lowndes County showed out at the 2025 election to oust the current commissioners.

“You see me because so many people in the reddest part of Georgia are sick and tired of y’all, and people can only be sick and tired for so long,” he said. “I want you to know, at the beginning of this year, they didn’t know who you were… I want you to know they see you now.”

Why are people so upset?

The commission released a deal reached with Georgia Power 90 minutes before the hearing, according to the AJC. The deal would essentially give Georgia Power all that they initially requested with the stipulation to put at least $8.50 per month in “downward pressure” to typical residential customers in 2029, 2030, and 2031. 

“Downward pressure” is not the same as a rate cut, and PSC staff conceded at the hearing that there is no guarantee customers will ever see a decrease in their bill.

The request from Georgia Power is unprecedented, amounting to the energy production of almost five Hoover Dams. The buildout would cost at least $16 billion and would mostly supply large-load data centers.

PSC staff originally recommended that the PSC approve an increase of only 3,125 megawatts of capacity because the predicted increase in load was merely speculative. The staff testimony also warned that consumers could see an increase of $20 a month in their bill.

The PSC is expected to make its final decision on the request Dec. 19.

Advocacy groups previously requested a delay in the vote so that the newly elected commissioners could take their seats. However, the current members denied the motion.