Watchdog Group: Ga. Public Service Commissioner Too ‘Cozy’ With Ga. Power

tim echols
Public Service Commissioners are elected by voters statewide, but must live in one of the five districts. Tim Echols (pictured), the District 2 Commissioner, is up for reelection to a six-year term this year,

Photo / WABE file

A utility industry watchdog group claims that emails between Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and Georgia Power suggest Echols is too “cozy” with the company that he regulates.

The Georgia PSC is a relatively obscure state agency, regulating natural gas, telecommunications and Georgia Power, but the decisions it makes have an impact on Georgians’ wallets.

The commission oversees Georgia Power’s progress on a nuclear expansion at Plant Vogtle. Georgia Power customers help pay for the project on their monthly bills.