What Is the Georgia Public Service Commission? (And Why It's On Your Power Bill)

The short version

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) is a five-member elected body that regulates the state's investor-owned utilities — setting the rates most Georgians pay for electricity and natural gas, and overseeing telecommunications and some transportation. If your power is from Georgia Power, the PSC has a direct hand in what you pay.

Why a sleepy race hits your wallet

PSC races get little attention, but few offices touch your monthly budget as directly. The commission has exclusive authority to decide what counts as a 'fair and reasonable' rate for the utilities it regulates — balancing reliable service and affordable bills against utilities earning a return on investment. When your electric bill goes up, a PSC decision is often behind it.

How the five commissioners are elected

The PSC has a chairman, vice-chairman, and three commissioners. Each must live in one of five districts, but — importantly — they're elected statewide, in partisan elections, by all Georgia voters. So even though a commissioner represents a district, every voter in Georgia helps choose them. They serve staggered six-year terms.

What it does — and doesn't — regulate

The PSC regulates electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and certain transportation services. Unlike utility regulators in some other states, the Georgia PSC does not regulate water and sewer service — those are handled locally. So a water-bill complaint goes to your city or county, not the PSC.

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