Biography and Personal Message

The cost of energy is on the rise. Public Service Commission District 004 and the State of Georgia deserve a candidate who is interested in thrift, and who is outside of the influence of lobbyists. Georgia deserves a candidate willing to face the realities of modern economics and to anticipate the challenges ahead. I have a history of working in both the private and public sectors, having been a social worker, public and private school teacher, and the owner of a local weekly paper. The central theme of my campaign is to continue the fight against ex parte communications while promoting the ability of clean energy producers to enter the market and provide the foundation for a future free market. I hope to maintain transparency in government and ensure that the taxpayers of Georgia pay only fair and appropriate rates for utilities.

Brandon Givens M. A. Ed.

Policy

Empowering the People of Georgia

The price of energy is a product of supply and demand. To increase supply, and thereby help lower the cost of energy, I encourage our legislature to expand present Georgia income tax credits for all individuals and businesses purchasing environmentally friendly solar panels or windmills for their homes or businesses. These tax credits should also be available for builders who include solar panels on new homes, office buildings or apartments. Imagine how the service industry of a community would benefit if half of a town's residents had electric bills 30% to 70% less expensive because their homes were prebuilt with solar panels. Where would they spend that money each month? What would be the long term economic benefit? I greatly prefer solutions which empower the individual. This has been done in many other States. Georgia should lead the way.

A Future Free Market

What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I am the only one interested in laying the groundwork for a future free market in energy. There can be no free market in energy production until there are a large number of energy producers. I would like us to make it possible for small energy producers to enter the market. At present green energy producers supply energy to our present monopolies on a contract basis. It is paid for by customers who choose to pay a little extra for "green" power. I'd rather allow the green energy producers to market and bill individually to the residents of Georgia who are environmentally concerned. As more people are willing to pay for green technologies more eco-friendly producers will enter the market. This is a more direct way to pay for "clean" energy than at present where someone simply pays Georgia Power or one of the EMCs a little bit extra per month for the concept that they are subsidizing a green energy facility. Later, once there are numerous energy providers, the people of Georgia can decide if they want to keep the present system or open the market up for the producers to compete. There are green energy producers willing to enter the market as competitors but the present regulated monopolies would rather keep the system as it is. The other candidates are not interested in changing things.

Present Commission Issues

Soon the Commission will vote on whether or not to allow Georgia Power to build two more nuclear reactors. I am sympathetic to the use of nuclear power for our energy needs. However, I do not believe that the ratepayers of Georgia should pay for reactors before they go online, as Republican candidate Lauren McDonald has indicated. I understand that despite the great cost, nuclear energy was one of the cleanest, most reliable and efficient forms of energy. However, there are some problems. At present there is no standard facility for the storage of nuclear waste. Nuclear power plants hold the waste onsite. This problem will not be solved in the near future. Nuclear power plants also require copious amounts of water. At present water is not a commodity Georgia has in ready supply. Also, there have been great advances in solar power technology. Solar Power is a more viable option than it was ten years ago. In light of the water shortage Georgia is facing, the expensive cost to build a nuclear facility, the lack of a nuclear disposal waste site, and the strides made in other energy productions methods; these other energy options such as solar and wind should be investigated. The Commission should research the possibility of using solar, wind or wave energy with consideration of the newest technology before making a decision on allowing the two nuclear reactors to be built.

The Public Service Commission 

The Commission is made up of five members representing five separate districts. Though the Commissioners represent a specific district, they are elected in statewide elections. All Georgia voters may vote for all Commission slots, regardless of PSC district. The Commission regulates companies providing electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications. As of 2005 the Commission also regulates household goods movers, luxury limousine carriers, charter bus services, motor carriers and non-consensual towing services. For more information on the Commission please visit their site at http://www.psc.state.ga.us/index.asp.