Georgia voters changed who regulates the state's largest utility at the moment that utility is in the middle of one of the biggest generation buildouts in the country. Democrat Shelia Edwards won a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission in the Nov. 3 elections, and Commissioner Peter Hubbard, also a Democrat, won reelection. Canary Media reported that the results give Democrats three of the commission's five seats. Fortune, republishing Grist, reported that the majority takes over in January and that it is the first time in 30 years Democrats will control the body that sets Georgia Power's rates.

The new majority does not start from a blank slate. The outgoing commission has already certified a large portfolio of new resources meant to serve forecast data center demand, and Georgia Power has another major capacity request pending. Below is what has been decided, what is still open, and what the incoming commissioners have said they plan to do.

What the commission already approved

On Dec. 19, 2025, the PSC acted in Administrative Session on Dockets 56298 and 56310 and adopted a stipulation granting certification, according to the commission's order. According to the order, Georgia Power sought certification of 7,999 MW of resources from its 2029–2031 All-Source request for proposals. That total included four power purchase agreements totaling 1,195 MW, along with company-owned thermal, battery energy storage and battery-plus-solar projects. The company also sought a 1,886 MW supplemental portfolio.

The order lays out the demand case behind the request. It cites forecast peak load growth of 9,354 MW, from 16,236 MW in winter 2024/25 to 25,590 MW in 2031/32. The order says the RFP was issued in June 2024 for an estimated need of 8,500 MW and drew about 14,902 MW of offers across 54 proposals.

The order also included conditions. It directs Georgia Power and commission Staff to examine large-load flexibility and to report back within 120 days. It also provides for an additional $2.65 per kW-year to be collected on the certified PPAs.

Canary Media described the outcome as nearly 10 GW of gas plants and batteries, approved even though commission staff had recommended approving about one-third of that amount. Canary cited an estimate from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) that the five new gas plants in the package could cost customers $50 billion to $60 billion over their lifespans. Canary also reported that a motion to reconsider the decision failed on a 3-2 vote in February 2026.

The request still on the table

Canary Media reported that in April 2026 Georgia Power filed for an additional 2 to 6 GW of dispatchable capacity.

Georgia Power argues that data center growth helps other ratepayers. Canary reported the company's position that its broader customer base is insulated from data center costs and that growth puts "downward pressure" on rates. Fortune/Grist reported Georgia Power's statement that a data center deal with OpenAI would bring $15 per month in downward pressure for a typical residential customer. Fortune/Grist also reported that the OpenAI contract was redacted.

Bills and the affordability argument

Electricity costs dominated the campaign, and the outlets measure recent increases somewhat differently. Canary Media reported that six rate increases raised typical residential bills by 33%, or more than $500 a year. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the six increases added about $43 a month to bills.

According to Fortune/Grist, Hubbard said one of his first priorities will be an affordability docket of hearings, along with close scrutiny of Georgia Power's upcoming requests.

Fortune/Grist reported that any changes to power bills will likely take time. Kristin Phillips of Emory University told Fortune/Grist that the shift in control would not have immediate effects on customers' wallets.

The utility's side of the ledger

The election results came the same week Georgia Power's parent company reported earnings. The AJC reported that Southern Co. earned $2 billion in the third quarter, up from $1.7 billion a year earlier. CEO Chris Womack said data center growth was up 52% from a year ago, according to the AJC. The AJC described Georgia as the No. 1 state for data center construction.

CFO David Poroch said the company's five-year capital plan of $85 billion could reach $100 billion if its utilities build new generation themselves, the AJC reported. Whether generation is utility-owned or bought from third parties under PPAs is a question the commission weighs in certification proceedings like the December 2025 case, which combined both.

Policy pressure on data centers is also coming from outside the commission. The AJC reported that Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms campaigned on a temporary statewide moratorium on data centers. The governor does not set utility rates.

What it means for developers and communities

The December 2025 order describes a load forecast driven by a surge in large-load data center developers. Three items bear directly on developers and communities:

  • The 2-to-6-GW dispatchable capacity request Georgia Power filed in April 2026, as reported by Canary Media.
  • Large-load flexibility, which the December 2025 order directed the company and Staff to examine.
  • Cost allocation, including Georgia Power's claim that broader customers are insulated. Hubbard has proposed an affordability docket of hearings, per Fortune/Grist.

For residents of communities where campuses are proposed, the commission is where generation needs and cost recovery are decided. Siting and zoning decisions for individual data centers remain with local governments.

What Happens Next

According to Fortune/Grist, the Democratic majority takes office in January, when three of the five commissioners will be Democrats. Hubbard told Grist that one of his first priorities will be launching an affordability docket, a series of hearings, and that Democrats plan close scrutiny of upcoming Georgia Power requests. Georgia Power's April 2026 filing for 2 to 6 GW of additional dispatchable capacity is pending before the commission, according to Canary Media. None of the sources reviewed for this article gives dates for the affordability hearings or a decision schedule for the capacity request.

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