Federal Cuts, Local Power: Why Georgia’s PSC Election Could Make or Break Clean Energy Progress
By Leslie Palomino, Poder Latinx’s GA State Director
When you open your power bill this month, you might not realize that a little-known group of officials in Atlanta has the power to decide how high that bill climbs—and whether your electricity comes from clean, affordable sources. They’re called the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), and this November, two seats are on the ballot.
Back in 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the most ambitious clean-energy law in U.S. history. Thanks to its incentives, Georgia families have already saved nearly $150 million on home solar installations and energy-efficiency upgrades. The law’s 30% Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit helped thousands of homeowners cut costs while cutting pollution. Georgia’s own Senator Jon Ossoff played a key role, introducing the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act to boost U.S. production. That investment brought a $171 million expansion and 470 new jobs to the Qcells solar plant in Dalton, making Georgia a national solar leader.
But now those gains are at risk. The federal government has begun freezing key tax credits and dismantling IRA programs, threatening to slow new projects and raise costs for working families. This is where the PSC becomes Georgia’s frontline defense. Commissioners regulate Georgia Power and other utilities. They decide:
How much you pay for electricity.
How quickly Georgia adds more solar and renewable energy.
Where new energy infrastructure gets built.
Even with federal rollbacks, the PSC can still approve new renewable projects, keep Georgia’s solar momentum alive, and protect ratepayers from unfair hikes. That’s why the upcoming PSC special election matters more than ever. Your vote will decide whether Georgia doubles down on clean energy jobs, or lets others pull the plug.
Election Day: November 4
Georgia has already proven that clean energy can create jobs, cut bills, and power a stronger future. Now is the time for all of us to take action, because our power is on the ballot. Check your voter registration, learn about your PSC district, and make a plan to vote. Also, talk to your neighbors. Share this post, remind three friends to check their registration, and help your community show up at the polls
We can keep Georgia’s energy future in the hands of the people—not the power companies. Let’s keep the lights on—and the progress going.
Leslie is a Georgia native who grew up in Gwinnett County. Leslie has a background in political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and community grassroots organizing. Leslie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in Journalism from Georgia State University. Leslie is a champion for change in her community. She is passionate about increasing the civic participation of Latinxs in Georgia. Through her work, she strives to engage the next generation of leaders to become civically engaged and politically empowered changemakers.