Latest news with #Muns
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Georgia Power bills have gone up. Now voters will choose who sets rates
ATLANTA - Electricity prices are on the ballot when early voting begins Tuesday for two seats on Georgia's powerful utility regulator, the Public Service Commission. The election has a direct impact on voters, especially Georgia Power's customers in metro Atlanta, where residential bills have risen about $43 because of six PSC-approved rate increases that have kicked in since the start of 2023. Just one of the PSC's five Republican commissioners is a Georgia Power customer, but the board has tremendous authority to decide how much the electricity monopoly can charge. Most of the commissioners - along with about half of all Georgians - get their power from electric membership cooperatives, which are member-owned, nonprofit utilities. Eight candidates are running - three Republicans and five Democrats - in the commission's first primary election since 2022, when the general election was canceled because of a court battle over the fairness of statewide PSC races that have elected just one Black PSC member in Georgia history. All voters are eligible to cast a ballot for both PSC seats, but the candidates for the two contested seats are required to live in their districts that cover metro Atlanta and east Georgia. Commissioner Tim Echols, a Republican on the board since 2011, said the PSC has been looking out for consumers. Last week, the PSC's staff made a deal with Georgia Power to keep the company's base rates in place through the end of 2028. "Freezing the rates for three years is the best thing we can do for ratepayers right now, and I have advocated for that incessantly," Echols said, citing discount programs for seniors and Georgians with low incomes. Echols, who lives in the east Georgia district, said being one of Georgia Power's 2.8 million customers shouldn't be a "litmus test" for election because the PSC also regulates gas companies, phone services, hearing aids and some aspects of the state's 41 electric membership cooperatives. But his opponents say Georgia Power customers are underrepresented while being forced to pay higher bills. "For too long, the Commission has rubber-stamped rate hikes that favor utility profits over people," said Alicia Johnson, a Democratic health care consultant who will face the winner of the Republican primary between Echols and Lee Muns. "Everyday Georgians - especially seniors, renters and working families - need a stronger voice at the table." Muns said he would seek to maintain affordable electricity rates if elected and scrutinize Georgia Power spending, including cost overruns at Plant Vogtle's new nuclear units, whose price tag rose from original estimates of $14 billion to about $35 billion. "If utilities are unable or unwilling to pursue genuine cost reductions, it may be necessary to consider adjusting the rate of return to ensure fair and sustainable rates for consumers," said Muns, the founder of engineering and welding companies. Georgia Power spokesman Jacob Hawkins called the deal to keep base rates steady "great news for customers" that will help "our state remain competitive and meet future energy demand." "This stipulated agreement is simply the latest example of how our regulated market structure benefits Georgia families and businesses," Hawkins said. Even critics of the PSC say they're pleased Georgia Power agreed not to hike rates for now, but they say the agreement smacks of politics by shielding commissioners from having to vote on another potential rate increase before this fall's general election. "It's just a blatant attempt to try to avoid accountability for having raised the rates on people relentlessly for years," said Brionté McCorkle, the executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters. "It's very clear they're doing this because it's an election year." A residential Georgia Power ratepayer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month pays about $171, according to the company's data. Incumbent Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson is also up for election this year, but he doesn't face a primary opponent. Johnson is the commission's lone Black member, and he hasn't ever been elected to office. Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him in 2021. Johnson, who didn't respond to a request for comment, will face the winner of a four-candidate Democratic primary. Johnson lives in the PSC's Atlanta-area district and is the lone Georgia Power customer on the Commission. "The most important decisions made by the PSC involve Georgia Power, yet only half of voters in the state are customers of that utility," said Robert Jones, a Democratic candidate and former utility executive. "The losers are Georgia citizens - Republican and Democrat alike - while the winners are Georgia Power and the Republican Party leadership in search of campaign donations." Former Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites, a Democratic candidate, said voters should pay attention to the PSC race. "Energy policy and environmental toxins may not be top of mind, but they are absolutely shaping those day-to-day struggles," Waites said. Democratic candidate Daniel Blackman characterized the PSC as being out-of-touch with Georgia Power customers. "Even though these voters pay some of the highest electricity bills in Georgia - about 25% more on average - they often cannot elect a commissioner who shares their values or prioritizes their needs because candidates are elected by voters statewide," said Blackman, an environmental consultant who lost a runoff for PSC in January 2021. Blackman is facing a challenge to his candidacy based on allegations that he doesn't officially live in Atlanta after he changed his address to a Midtown apartment last fall. Hubbard, a Democrat and clean energy advocate, said the PSC is to blame for rising electricity costs. "They clearly do not work for the people of Georgia," Hubbard said. PSC Chairman Jason Shaw said the agreement to hold Georgia Power's rates steady is a win for customers. "This is nothing but good news for Georgia Power ratepayers," Shaw said. Even if the PSC approves the deal, it may not be long before bills go up again. Next year Georgia Power is expected to ask the PSC to allow it to recoup damage costs from Hurricane Helene and other storms, along with its unpaid fuel tab. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Views sought on plans to boost wildlife recovery in Wiltshire
Bats, birds, woodlands and urban green spaces are the focus of a new plan to help wildlife recover to its former and Wiltshire councils have worked together to create a Local Recovery Strategy in response to the government's pledge to protect 30% of the country's land, water and seas for nature by two councils have now put the plan out to public councillor Dominic Muns, cabinet member for environment, warned: "The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, with one in six species threatened with extinction." 'Fairer and greener' Habitats which the plan focuses on include chalk and limestone grassland, woodland, heathland, acid bogs and acid grassland and strategy sets out that protecting and enhancing nature is not just an environmental imperative "but a social and economic one as well".It says individuals, businesses and communities all benefit from biodiversity, including from well-being, food, water security and flooding. Mr Muns said: "By focusing conservation efforts where they are most needed, the strategy will support wildlife to thrive and can also help to deliver wider environmental benefits such as cleaner air and waterways, reduced flood risk, and enhanced green spaces for local communities."Species the plan particularly hopes to help include bats, farmland birds, lapwing and stone curlew, the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, juniper and arable Watts, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: "The plan will help us achieve a fairer and greener Swindon by ensuring developers prioritise biodiversity net gain and that our communities benefit from a healthier natural environment."People can comment on the proposals until 19 April. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
