ATLANTA -- Four Republicans and two Democrats are vying in the July 15 primary for a shot at two seats on the Public Service Commission, which sets rates on electricity and telecommunications, and oversees the delivery of natural gas to home and businesses.
Two Republicans seek the nomination in the PSC's first district, which encompasses most of the state's southern end, and two Democrats and two Republicans are campaigning for their party's nod to run for the fourth district spanning some 20 northern counties.
Two Libertarians are also in the race, but will only be on the November ballot since there is no primary for that party.
While they represent districts, commissioners are elected statewide. They earn $117,452 a year.
The following is a list of candidates and their biographical information, as well as their responses to pertinent questions facing the future of energy in Georgia.
District One
H. Doug Everett, incumbent
Party: Republican
City: Albany
Age: 70
Occupation: Commissioner of Public Service Commission
Political experience: Albany city commissioner, state legislator
Rick Collum
Party: Republican
City: Moultrie
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Colquitt County magistrate judge
John H. Monds
Party: Libertarian
City: Cairo
Age: 43
Occupation: Home Maker
Political experience: Did not respond
District Four
Bob Indech
Party: Democrat
City: Norcross
Age: 53
Occupation: Engineer
Political experience: Candidate for state House District 51 in 2004
Jim Powell
Party: Democrat
City: Hiawassee
Age: 59
Occupation: Retired regional director for U.S. Department of Energy
Political experience: None
Brandon Givens
Party: Libertarian
City: Gainesville
Age: 29
Occupation: Teacher
Political experience: Attempted to qualify as candidate in General Assembly election
Pam Davidson
Party: Republican
City: Blue Ridge
Age: 45
Occupation: Renewable Energy Consultant
Political experience: None
Lauren W. "Bubba" McDonald Jr.
Party: Republican
City: Clarksville
Age: 69
Occupation: Businessman
Political experience: Jackson County Commissioner, state legislator, public service commissioner
Q: What does this week's court ruling invalidating permits for a coal-fired electrical plant over carbon dioxide emissions say about the future of power generation in Georgia?
District One
Collum: Basically, since the Supreme Court ruling that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, that played heavily into the judges decision to stop the plant in Early County. All the plant has to do is meet the proper requirements to get the permit, and then they can proceed.
Everett: In my opinion, coal-fired plants with new technology are a safe and cheap form of energy, but it underscores the problems we have with coal-fired plants placing more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That underscores the need for safer and cheaper energy, which is nuclear power.
District Four
Powell: I think it will probably slow it down. Coal is still the most cost effective source of energy we have. I hope it will make Georgia think about diversifying the fuel mix.
Indech: The major thing it says is lets just take a step back and reconsider what we're doing. For an out-of-state company to have a contract to construct a major power facility without a true concern for the environment of Georgia is unconscionable.
Davidson: I think that was a prudent ruling, because soon we're going to have some carbon legislation, and most likely that will be a cap and trade, and we'll be on a carbon diet because we already have more coal and more carbon liability than most states. There will be a premium or tax on the utility company for violating the law, and that will be passed on to ratepayers.
McDonald: My gut feeling is that it will be overturned. I am very pro-nuclear. It is more expensive in the initial construction process, but over time, in my opinion, you have cleaner production.
Givens: It's a good decision in the end because the price of coal is going up, and we need to be looking for alternatives. They like to build these plants because they are relatively cheap to get going, but they are not the best as far as carbon emissions.
Q: Critics say that building new nuclear power plants is a costly solution to reduce greenhouse gasses and that new plants will take too long to build to be effective. What do you think?
District One
Everett: I do not believe that it isn't too costly when you consider the carbon tax coming down on coal. Coal has tripled in value,. We have the highest cost ever in natural gas and it is continuing to rise. It will be 2016 until we can actually start depending on the nuclear plant, but it is an option we must take.
Collum: Right now we have to think in the long term, as well as in the present day. Nuclear power plants are a large piece of the overall puzzle. But today, we have the technology to incorporate biomass energy and other renewable that we can use today while we're waiting for the new power plants and the nuclear power plants to come online.
District Four
Davidson: We must consider nuclear, but it is a long term solution that has an undetermined price tag. We need to maximize our energy efficiency and renewable energy potential in the meantime.
McDonald: I disagree with that. We know the time frame that we've got to have as far as a plant is concerned. If a nuclear plant is authorized by the state of Georgia in the next few months it will be online by 2016.
Givens: I'm not against building nuclear power plants. What I'm more concerned about is the intention of charging the Georgia ratepayers before they are built.
Powell: It's a long, lengthy, drawn-out process. I don't think we should take any fuel off the table, including nuclear. I think we need to plan for the long term, and if nuclear is part of the mix, that's fine.
Indech: In the very long-term nuclear plants are probably the answer. I can't say definitely because the pace of technology is accelerating so fast that it's very difficult for people to plan in the very long term.
Q: Gas prices aside, what is the most pressing issue facing consumers in today's energy market? What will you do about it if elected?
District One
Collum: If elected, I am going to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. That means the consumer will be charged a reasonable rate. That has to be balanced with the company making a reasonable profit for its investors.
Everett: If I am elected, I will continue to do what I've done in the past and that is to strike a balance between the consumer and the provider. We have continually made sure rates were affordable to the consumer while at the same time making the providers financially viable.
District Four
Davidson: I think a federal mandate on mandating a percent of renewable energy, because we have virtually no renewable energy and we have a huge potential for it.
McDonald: In my opinion, the most pressing issue is getting a nuclear plant going in the state to meet the demands for tomorrow, tomorrow being the next 15 years.
Indech: The most pressing issue in today's energy market is the loss of control America has over its energy supplies. We are fighting a war and losing lives of our good youth to pursue an energy policy in the Middle East. We don't need that. We need to bring it back home.
Powell: "I think the price of energy ... We need to make sure we keep quality sources of energy and low and affordable rates for Georgia, but I think we also need to realize that investor-owned utilities need to make a profit, so there needs to be balance."
Givens: The most pressing concern for Georgia is the lack of competition among energy providers. We need to find more ways for energy producers to enter the market, as well find new ways to allow ratepayers to generate power themselves.
Q: What issue is most important in your campaign?
District One
Everett: To make sure energy is provided at a low cost, but with good reliability.
Collum: The incorporation of renewable energy sources with traditional energy sources.
District Four
Powell: I would like to be known as the consumer advocate ... I would like to be the voice of the consumer so that when rate cases are submitted they get a fair and balanced hearing.
McDonald: It is planning for the energy needs of Georgia for the next 15 to 20 years.
Davidson: Ethics. For example, accepting political donations from people affiliated with the entities that we regulate. I'm not accepting any such donations.
Indech: The issue is to be able to provide a vision for the Georgia Public Service Commission beyond simply approving rates. To be able to provide guidance and to be able to provide expertise to move Georgia into the 21st century in energy production and use.
Givens: The central issue of my campaign is ex-parte communications. All things should be open and in public, especially with energy policy where a monopoly is involved. There should not be any closed door meetings, especially between a commissioner and the people they are regulating.
*Note: Candidate John Monds did not respond to interview requests.
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