The PSC voted this morning, by a vote of 3 (Everett, McDonald and Wise) to 2 (Baker and Eaton), to give the chairman of the regulatory agency a two-year term instead of a one-year term.
OCGA §46-2-5 is very clear that the chairman of the PSC may only serve a “one-year term of office.” As Atlanta Unfiltered points out, the legislation to change this law did not pass the Georgia General Assembly during the 2009 session and this is likely a move to setup Bubba McDonald, who is currently facing fines for violating state ethics laws, to chair the PSC in 2011.
Word is that Chuck Eaton wanted an opinion from Attorney General Thurbert Baker before voting. Stan Wise apparently said that he is “just an attorney.”
{ 19 comments }
The legislature renders the PSC redundant, and the PSC in turn ignores the legislation that governs it. That’s just how Georgia rolls.
Glad Eaton did the right thing this time… This should really be an appointed position to get rid of suckups to the utilities like Wise, McDonald and Everett
The Georgia Constitution simply states that: “A chairman shall be selected by the members of the commission from its membership.”
GA Republicans have apparently invented a time machine. So far, it seems like they’ve turned the clock back to 2005, but in the process, they turned themselves into Washington Republicans.
Pride and arrogance before a fall. That’s how Georgia rolls.
Just like the fellas in DC, those in power here are tone deaf and can’t hear much of anything except praise from their staff on how awsome they are. I predict lots of tears on election night… sweet sweet tears.
The real question is, will those tears be on primary night or general election night?
Whatever happened to Angela Speir?
You have to understand the humor, when you hear these decisions. The 3 who voted for it and their reasonings, clearly shows signs of the Neopoleon complex. They want to be tall, important, and noticed. Those who suffer from this complex, don’t care who they insult along the way. Don’t take it personal Mr. Attorney General! The public must remember, how short our memories are. Oh, that’s right, you can’t remember. Those 3 fight for the Utilities, not the consumer, yet we continue to vote them in. Republicans are having a hard time, these days, with the complex. All I can say is, you little guys hang in there as long as you can. Find ways get your worthless messages out and keep yourself in office. Remember, time tells on everyone. The people do eventually get tired of hearing the crap.
She opted not to run again and has gone into the private sector.
Something Stan Wise should have done a long time ago…except he gets too many perks from the utility companies to sit where he sits.
I can’t wait until Obama’s Carbon Tax get passed and utility customers are forced to pay $35 per ton of CO2 emissions for coal and nat gas electricity.
Customers will be begging PSC to approve more Nuclear Power Plants and be really pissed that they take 8 years to build.
Coal still proves 70% of states generation fuel.
Since Ga has low chances of significant meaningful wind power generation other than our beautiful Federal Forest mountain tops or protected barrier islands and oceans.
http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/ewea_documents/documents/publications/reports/Economics_of_Wind_Main_Report_FINAL-lr.pdf
In South Carolina coal and nat gas are used to only generate 35% of power so their citizens will only be charged HALF [per KWhr] the effective Carbon tax rate of Georgians.
Which state’s PSC looks smarter and customer friendlier now.
What does S. Carolina use for the rest of the power?
It’s been a while since the PSC has voted for a coal plant. The decisions to build coal generation are 60 year decisions. The PSC has recently voted for major environmental modifications, such as scrubbers, to existing facilities.
It’s doubtful that I would vote to approve a coal plant in today’s political environment. Nevertheless, if Obama and the Democrats want to go full steam ahead with 30%-50% tax on coal generation, in a down economy, the responsibility for rate increases and manufacturing job losses will rest squarely at their feet.
It’s convoluted reasoning to say, “because Obama and the Democrats want to raise electrical rates on consumers and manufacturers, the states that depend on coal for affordable electricity are responsible for the increases.” I don’t know whether our manufacturers and those that are on limited or fixed incomes can withstand such a massive increase to their electrical rates.
South Carolina currently gets the rest of power from Nuclear [54%]and hydro [3%]. Nat gas 5%
SC has 7 nuclear reactors vs Georgia 4 with 2 more recently approved for both states.
Since electricity is ~$1000+ per year or $60,000 over lifetime one should spend an hour per month studying it.
Electric base rates vary from 5 cents to 22 cents depending on which state
Start here: US avg is ~ 9 cents GA is ~ 7.8……………..HI is ~ 22 cents
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html
Life is good with Marietta Power
http://www.psc.state.ga.us/electric/surveys/2008/allprosum08/allprosum08-1000.asp
I suspect most of PSC would jump for joy if 10,000 new Georgians actually spent some time and became involved in helping them help you.
Bill,
Have you come across anything indicating that Angela Speir was “convinced” not to go for re-election?
Just asking.
The utility lobbyists are working on congressional Democrats to get exempted from the tax. If they succeed in doing so, and they probably will, then how equitable or competitive is the carbon tax on those remaining?
Technocrat,
It seems unlikely that your average consumer will be too put out, given that the so-called CO2 tax will be revenue neutral; whether they go with some form of rebate program (a la Alaska oil revenue-sharing) or a corresponding reduction in federal payroll or state sales tax, there shouldn’t be much, if any, added cost to consumers.
Harry,
I believe she would have had no problem getting re-elected, so, no, I have neither heard anything like that, nor would I think she could be…pushed out.
I agree she’d not have a problem so what would have de-motivated her into not seeking another term? For example, outside positive or negative reinforcement? Pure speculation, I know.
Law? Who cares about the law? http://www.bibbrepublicanparty.com Heck, politicians all over find unique ways to skirt the laws. In Bibb County, I’ve been told, Commissioners have forbidden their clerks from bringing digital recorders into the meeting room to record their minutes. Outrageous! Spoke with a reporter about this and simply got a yawn….
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }