Georgia Public Service Commission 
 
Spring Volume 17, Issue 2 
 
The PSC Pulse 
SINE DIE 2017 
 
Sine Die is Latin for "without day" meaning "without any future date being designated--the assembly is adjourned". 
The 2017 session of the Georgia General Assembly is in the books as the lawmakers adjourned a half hour past midnight on Friday morning March 31, 2017 after 40 days in session. The drama of years past when the state's budget would be passed on the final day was absent this year as both the House and Senate agreed to the budget and passed it on Day 37. However, many controversial bills were debated and passed or failed right up to the final minutes. The legislature passed a campus carry gun bill on the final day, and expanded the illnesses for which patients can use medicinal THC oil or medical marijuana. Also gaining final passage was a bill to create a two-step process to permit petroleum pipelines in Georgia. 
Continued on page 4 
 
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 
Sine Die. .................................. 1 Solar Ribbon Cutting .............. 2 Commissioner meet with legislators.............. ................. ........2 Saint Patrick's Day .................. 3 Sine Die (continued) ............... 4 Consumers Affairs Corner ...... 4 Commissioner Everett ............ 5 Message from Human Resources......................................5 Plant Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report ........................... 6 NARUC Meeting...................6-7 Announcements.......................7 Calendar and Holidays............8 
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST 
 Super Bowl LI  Clean Energy in Georgia  Echols Hosts Energy Assis- 
tance Workshops  Chairman Wise Presents  Plant Vogtle Tour  Echols Speaks to Buckhead 
Rotary  McDonald on Capitol Hill  Meanwhile in Georgia 
 Announcements 
Page 1 
 
 SUPER BOWL LI 
New England Patriots 34 Atlanta Falcons 28 
So close, but when losing a bet, you pay the price. Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald's price for losing was to wear a New England Patriots jersey at the NARUC annual meeting in February. His betting partner is Cheryl LaFleur, acting Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She was nice enough to wear the Falcons scarf for a photo but do we see a smirk? 
COMMISSIONER CHUCK EATON ADDS 
TO THE FAMILY 
Commissioner Chuck Eaton and his wife Erika currently have a five week old foster child named Lily. Their beautiful ten year old daughter Lydia has been such a big help with her. 
Page 2 
 
SOLAR RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY 
 
IN PLAINS GEORGIA 
 
Jamie Barber and 
 
John Kaduk of the 
 
commission's EERE 
 
group attended former 
 
President Jimmy 
 
Carter's ribbon cutting 
 
ceremony for a solar 
 
panel project on farm- 
 
land he owns in his 
 
hometown of Plains, Ga., 
 
Wednesday, February 8, 
 
2017. 
 
Carter leased 10 acres of 
 
his farmland to Atlanta- 
 
based SolAmerica Ener- 
 
gy. The company esti- 
 
mates the project will 
 
Jamie Barber and former President Jimmy Carter 
 
provide more than half of the power needed in this town of 755 people. 
 
"It shows what a small town can do, what one farmer can do," 
 
said Carter. "It's also a very good source of income for farmers 
 
who can get as much as $500 per acre per year by allocating 
 
some of their land to solar panels." Carter was also the first 
 
U.S. President to install solar panels at the White House. 
 
COMMISSIONERS MEET WITH GEORGIA LEGISLATORS 
Commissioners Doug Everett and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald hosted three Georgia legislators at the Commission offices on February 2, 2017 during the just completed legislative session to discuss biomass facilities in northeast a n d s o u t h e a s t Commissioner Everett , Senator Wilkerson, Commissioner Georgia. The Com- McDonald, Chief of Staff Krause and Senator Ginn missioners met with Senator John Wilkerson of Toccoa, Senator Frank Ginn of Danielsville and Chief of Staff Tom Krause for Senator Bill Cowsert of Athens. 
 
 SAINT PATRICKS DAY 
Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald and wife Shelley participated in the Savannah St. Patrick's Day parade this year. McDonald is featured here with Shelley in his 1929 Model A car and donning his Irish kilt. 
 
CLEAN ENERGY IN GEORGIA 
 
Commissioner Tim Echols participated in the parade while waving at the crowds in a "Little Red Corvette". Did you sing the Prince song when you read this? 
 
Commissioner Tim Echols 
On March 1st, the German Consulate General invited Georgia legislators and distinguished guests to the Georgia Railroad Depot for a dinner reception and presentation on "Clean Energy in Georgia-- Jobs, Technology, National Security". Consul General Detlev Ruenger greeted the 150 guests who were treated to a German inspired buffet. 
 
Meanwhile, back on the Commission front, our wonderful Quawanda Boyer, Administrative Assistant to the Utilities Director Tom Bond provided the staff a feast of all things green. Everyone enjoyed the green beer (just kidding, it was flavored water), cookies, cakes, chips and fruit. She decorated her office to celebrate the occasion. 
 
Commissioner Bubba McDonald and wife Shelley in attendance 
Commissioner Echols used the evening's opportunity to highlight the benefits of Georgia's transition to becoming a leader in the electric vehicle marketplace. 
Page 3 
 
 COMMISSIONER TIM ECHOLS HOSTS 
ENERGY ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS 
Commissioner Echols hosted two Energy Assistance Workshops in DeKalb County and Clayton County for those case workers who provide assistance and advice to consumers who need help paying their utility bills. The workshop in DeKalb was held on March 9, 2017 and the Clayton County workshop was held on March 10, 2017. 
CHAIRMAN STAN WISE PRESENTS 
Commission Chairman Stan Wise spoke to a lunchtime gathering of the Technology Association of Georgia and the Southeastern Energy Society on March 20, 2017. He provided an update on recent Commission decisions and answered questions on his views on how the Trump Administration will affect environmental policies. Page 4 
 
2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADJOURNED SINE DIE FOR THE YEAR (CONTINUED FROM COVER PAGE) 
 
However, a reduction in the state's income tax rate failed to gain final passage, as did a bill which would provide more regulation over hydraulic fracking. The Commission fared well in the FY 2018 state budget (H.B. 44). The lawmakers went along with the Governor in approving a 2 percent merit increase for state employees and teachers. Specifically for the Commission, the budget includes funding to hire an additional staff member for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Section and additional funding for our NRRI dues 
 
and research efforts. We appreciate our House and Senate Budget Committees for responding to the Commission's requests in these areas. The Governor has until May 10, 2017 to sign or veto bills or they will become law without his signature. He does have line item veto authority over the budget legislation. 
 
CONSUMER AFFAIRS CORNER 
 
The Consumer 
 
Affairs (CA) Unit man- 
 
aged by Claudette 
 
Willingham takes com- 
 
plaints by telephone, 
 
e-mail, internet, letter and 
 
fax. They handle consum- 
 
er issues concerning gas, 
 
telecom, wireless, electric, 
 
the internet and non- 
 
jurisdictional issues. If 
 
the CA Unit can't assist 
 
consumers with their is- 
 
sues, the staff will refer 
 
the consumer to an organ- 
 
ization or agency that can. 
 
The CA handled over 
 
L-R Karen Howell, Lisa Jensen, Claudette Willingham, Erica Wilson, Dona Cucich and Stephanie 
 
17,232 calls in 2016. For a staff of six, that's a lot of calls! 
 
Sears 
 
 COMMISSIONER EVERETT SEES THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AMONG OTHER ADVENTURES 
 
COMMISSION AND LEGISLATIVE STAFF TOUR PLANT VOGTLE 3 & 4 CONSTRUCTION SITE ON APRIL 6TH 
 
Commissioner Doug Everett, his lovely wife Janice and son Mitch were able to check an item off their bucket list in March with a trip to Amsterdam Holland and Norway. In addition to seeing the spectacular light show, they spent time feeding reindeer, venturing on a snowmobile and went dog sledding to name a few. We all know he works hard and now we see he plays hard too. 
 
A MESSAGE FROM HUMAN RESOURCES 
With the I-85 bridge collapse on March 30th, the work commute has become a challenge for some of our staff. Below are URL addresses to websites for MARTA, Xpress, Gwinnett County Transit, and CobbLinc. 
 
http://www.itsmarta.com/ 
 
http://www.xpressga.com/ 
 
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/ 
 
gwinnett/Departments/Transportation/ 
 
Cheryl Vinson, Human 
 
GwinnettCountyTransit 
 
Resources 
 
http://www.atltransit.org/about/agencies/cobblinc/ 
 
The website http://gacommuteoptions.com also offers resources for employees, including a means to find a ride match for carpooling and monetary incentives for alternative commuting. 
 
L-R Bill Edge, GPSC; Trey Bennett, Senate Research Office; Blake Doss, House Budget Office; Bethany Walker, GPSC 
COMMISSIONER TIM ECHOLS SPEAKS TO BUCKHEAD ROTARY 
Commissioner Tim Echols on April 10, 2017 gave the Buckhead Rotary Club an update on the progress of renewable energy sources in Georgia, as well as the situation on the construction project at Georgia Power's Nuclear Power Plant Vogtle in southeast Georgia. Echols said Georgia continues to make progress in installing solar energy in Georgia. He also said the recent bankruptcy filing by Westinghouse, the contractor at the Plant Vogtle site, has severely affected the nuclear construction industry in the U.S. 
Page 5 
 
 COMMISSIONER LAUREN "BUBBA" 
MCDONALD ON CAPITOL HILL 
Executive Committee: L-R (bottom row): Katrina McMurrian, Robert W. Capstick Jr., Julie Brown, Sarah Hoffman L-R (back row): Commissioner McDonald, David A. Wright 
Commissioner McDonald met with other members of the executive committee of the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition (NWSC) in March to develop a strategy and action plan to advance the progress of nuclear waste management in the United States. 
MEANWHILE IN GEORGIA 
Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald initiated the passage of Senate Resolution 407 and House Resolution 482 which urge Georgia's Congressional Delegation to enact legislation to reestablish a Nuclear Waste Program per the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NPWA) of 1982. The resolution will be delivered to Georgia's representatives in the 115th Congress. "Georgia electric ratepayers have contributed over $1.6 billion to the Nuclear Waste Fund since 1982 with nothing to show for it," said Commissioner McDonald. "The federal government through the Department of Energy has failed to meet the mandate of the NPWA to start accepting spent nuclear fuel in 1998." 
Page 6 
 
COMMISSION APPROVES THE FIFTEENTH SEMI-ANNUAL PLANT VOGTLE CONSTRUCTION MONITORING REPORT 
 
The Commission on 
 
February 21, 2017 
 
unanimously ap- 
 
prove 
 
Georgia 
 
Power's request to 
 
approve and verify 
 
$141 million in ex- 
 
penditures on the 
 
Plant Vogtle Nuclear 
 
Power Construction 
 
Project for the peri- 
 
od January 1, 2016 
 
through June 30, 
 
2016. The capital 
 
costs so far is $3.68 billion. This amount remains within the 
 
Commission certified construction cost. This decision is not a 
 
ruling on whether the expenditures are reasonable and prudent 
 
but only acknowledges that the Company has spent the funds on 
 
the project. "The Plant Vogtle project continues to make pro- 
 
gress despite well publicized setbacks. I believe that in the long 
 
run this project, when completed, will provide reliable, stable 
 
and carbon free electricity for many generations of Georgians," 
 
said Commission Chairman Stan Wise. 
 
COMMISSION TAKES PART IN NARUC MEETING 
 
Commissioners and 
 
staff attended the Na- 
 
tional Association of 
 
Regulatory 
 
Utility 
 
Commissioners 
 
(NARUC) Winter Com- 
 
mittee Meetings in 
 
Washington, D.C. Feb- 
 
ruary 12-15, 2017. The 
 
four-day conference 
 
covered utility issues in 
 
energy, telecommuni- 
 
cations, water, and 
 
L-R Janey Chavet, Alan Towe, Bill Edge, Tim Ech- consumer affairs. 
 
ols, Anthony Coker 
 
Commissioners Tim 
 
Echols and Lauren 
 
"Bubba" McDonald took part in panel discussions on nuclear 
 
waste disposal, utility rate design and consumer issues. 
 
Continued on page 7 
 
 HAPPY . ANNIVERSARY! 
15 YEARS 
Tony Wackerly (6/1) Natural Gas Unit 
10 YEARS 
Jeff Baggett (5/16) Pipeline Safety Unit Yolanda Clay (6/16) 
GUFPA Unit 
FAREWELL 
Darryl Bailey Pipeline Safety 
Mikel Small Pipeline Safety 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY 
April 26th 
...recognizes and celebrates the work of administrative assistants and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace. 
 
COMMISSION TAKES PART IN NARUC MEETING 
(continued from page 6) 
Notable panels included a kickoff general session on February 13 featuring Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who rolled out his agenda for the coming year. Also, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Acting Chair Cheryl LaFleur engaged in a Q&A session with NARUC President Robert Powelson on February 14, preceded by a talk from Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who outlined priorities for addressing infrastructure issues and transportation matters. 
CONDOLENCES Our heartfelt condolences to Jamie Barber, Manager of EERE and her family for the loss of her father, James (Joe) Summerville on April 7th after a lengthy illness. 
 
WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEE 
Max Stroev 
Systems Administrator 
Max joined us on April 17th transitioning from a contractor position in our Operations Support Unit to a permanent staff member in that Unit. He was born in Moscow, Russia and came to the U.S. in 1992. He lives here with his wife Jane of 16 years and two daughters, Sofie, age 15 and Paula, age 11. Max holds two undergraduate degrees, one from Russia in Civil Engineering and the other in Information Technology Systems from Georgia State University. We're glad you're here Max! 
 
Charley Thebert with her 5th degree Black Belt instructor and 8th degree Black Belt founder 
 
A big congratulations to Charlotte (Charley) Thebert. Charlotte is the 11 year old daughter of Michelle Thebert Director of Facilities Protection. She received her Black Belt in Choi Kwang Do in March. She has been taking classes since she was three years old. 
Page 7 
 
 COMMISSION CALENDAR 
 
April 2017 
 
May 2017 
 
4-- Administrative Session, Legis- 2--Administrative Session 
 
June 2017 1--Committee Meetings 
 
13-- Committee Meetings 
 
11--Committee Meetings 
Hearing: Docket 29849 GPC 16th Semi-Annual Construction 
 
6--Administrative Session 
 
18-- Administrative Session 
 
16--Administrative Session 
 
11--14--SEARUC 
 
24-- Holiday 27-- Committee Meetings 
 
29--Memorial Day 
 
15--Committee Meetings 
20--Administrative Session 
29--Committee Meetings Hearing: Docket 29849 GPC 16th Semi-Annual Construction 
 
HOLIDAYS COMING 
 
Easter is April 16th 
 
Memorial Day is May 29th State Holiday is April 24th 
 
Georgia Public Service Commission 244 Washington Street Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404-651-4501 www.psc.state.ga.us 
The Public Information Office publishes The PSC Pulse for the Georgia Public Service Commission. Information for The PSC Pulse should be sent to the attention of Bill Edge, Public Information Officer or Lynn Page, Newsletter Editor. 
 
COMMISSIONERS Stan Wise , Chairman Tim G. Echols, Vice Chair Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. Doug Everett Chuck Eaton 
Executive Director: Deborah Flannagan Executive Secretary: Reece McAlister 
 
Page 8