Fresh Loaf

Georgia Public Service Commissioner Angela Speir, who opted not to run for another term on the state agency that regulates utilities and telecommunication in the state, will join consumer watchdog group Georgia Watch as its deputy director in January.

“I am honored to become the deputy director of Georgia Watch, our state’s leading consumer watchdog organization,” Speir said in a press release. “It has been a blessing to serve the people of Georgia on the Public Service Commission for the past six years. I worked hard to represent Georgians on the commission and I will continue to be a hardworking advocate for Georgians at Georgia Watch.”

Speir will also launch the group’s Consumer Energy program. She’ll serve as senior program director on that initiative.

According to a press release, the Consumer Energy program will:

analyze and develop positions on legislative and regulatory proposals that affect utility pricing, energy efficiency and renewable energy. The program will also work to raise awareness of the functions of the Public Service Commission (PSC), to increase public access to the PSC, and to encourage public involvement in important legislative and regulatory decisions that affect energy cost and availability.

During her six-year term, Speir has been heralded as a consumer advocate and a voice for Georgians. She was the first woman elected to the PSC. Her notable work includes banning private communications between commissioners and the industries they regulate.

“Ultimately, our goal with this newest Georgia Watch program is to establish a credible consumer voice in Georgia on energy cost, efficiency and conservation issues,” Georgia Watch Executive Director Allison Wall said. “There is no more knowledgeable and respected advocate to shape and direct this program than former PSC Commissioner Angela Speir.”

Speir’s spot on the commission will be filled by Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, the Democrat-turned-Republican she unseated in a surprising 2002 election. McDonald defeated Democratic opponent Jim Powell, a first-time political candidate who fought a residency challenge all the way to state Supreme Court, in the Dec. 2 runoff election.

UPDATE: The AJC’s Margaret Newkirk attended Speir’s final meeting as a commissioner and paints a really beautiful scene of the moment.

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Angela Speir, the Public Service Commissioner who’s stepping down after her current term ends and is widely considered an advocate for everyday Georgians, is endorsing Democratic candidate Jim Powell for her soon-to-be-open seat.

“In this time of skyrocketing energy costs and with the elimination of the Consumers Utility Counsel, it’s more important than ever to elect a good person to the Public Service Commission,” Speir said. “Jim Powell has my vote,  endorsement, and prayers for his success.”

Powell, a former official with the U.S. Dept. of Energy, has been fighting a back-and-forth residency battle with Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel. Even after being booted from the ballot just days before the primary, he was granted a stay by a Fulton County Superior Court Judge and went on to garner 85 percent of the vote. The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case but has not yet set a date.

Speir, a Republican, urged voters to look past ideology and partisan affiliation  and vote for Powell in what many believe is going to be a top-down ballot. “Doing the right thing transcends political parties,” she said.

Speir also stressed a need for voters to be aware of the differences between Powell and his opponent in the race, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald. Speir unseated McDonald on the commission in 2002.

(more…)

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I hope that Grant Park couple kept their receipts.

Gov. Sonny Perdue put the pen to the paper today and signed what one environmental lobbyist says is the first renewable energy bill with teeth that the state has seen.

HB 670, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Sims, R-Ambrose, would offer income tax credits for energy-efficient and clean energy purchases, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy for residential and commercial properties. Although the legislation favors the latter, it’s a big step toward enticing Georgians to pursue clean energy.

But like everything in Georgia, there’s no such thing as totally great news. The total tax incentive cap is tiny — $2.5 million per year — and the bulk of that could go to commercial properties who stand to benefit as much as $500,000 per solar installation. If five companies get five solar installations next year, then it’s kaput for 365 days. But something’s better than nothing, and this here is definitely something.

Among the benefits for homeowners are income tax credits up to $2,500 for solar thermal systems, up to $10,500 for solar equipment used for electricity and heating, and up to $10,500 for wind power. (Click here for a good take by CL Editor Ken Edelstein on what clean-energy system might be appropriate for your home.) Credits have also been approved for Georgians who invest in geothermal heat pump systems.

The incentives expire Dec. 31, 2012. Click here to view a simple description of the income tax credits offered.

Pam Davidson, an environmental consultant who is running for the soon-to-be-open seat on the PSC after Commissioner Angela Speir steps down, lobbied heavily for the bill along with Jason Rooks of the Georgia Conservancy.

For more information about HB 670, click here. Click on “Current version” for the legalese-laden ins-and-outs of the bill.

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