The PSC pulse, 2018 Winter

Georgia Public Service Commission

Winter 2018

The PSC Pulse
Message from the Chair

Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, elected as Chair on February 20, 2018 for a 2 year term.
It's inevitable that time does not stand still. Even with the departure of a veteran leader, Stan Wise, the charge to this Commission must be to move forward developing policy using experience from our past and visions for Georgia's future.
Chairman Stan Wise takes with him a deep knowledge and experience as a regulator. We say Godspeed. We also welcome a new voice with the appointment of Tricia Pridemore by Governor Deal for the unexpired term. Welcome Commissioner Pridemore.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Farewell Commissioner Wise..........................................2 NARUC ....................................3 New Solar Project.. ......... ........4 Commissioner Pridemore........5 Electric Vehicle Day.................5 H.E.A.T Annual Meeting..........6 Georgia Solar Luncheon.......... 6 More Employee News ..............7 Calendar and Holidays............8
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
$43.6 million in refunds for Georgia Power customers
Plant Vogtle news Fiscal Office flood Hearing Program expansion

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PHOTOS FROM STAFF LUNCHEON
Reece McAlister
Commissioner Eaton
Leon Bowles

FAREWELL COMMISSIONER WISE

NARUC honored Commis-

sioner Stan Wise for his

24 years of contributions on

both the state and federal

regulatory level at its Winter

Policy Summit February 14,

2018 in Washington, D.C.

NARUC President Jack Be-

toski, NARUC Executive Di-

NARUC President Jack Betoski of Connecticut, rector Greg White, fellow

Commissioner Stan Wise and NARUC Executive Greg White

Commissioner Lauren

and even his wife Denise

"Bubba" McDonald

joined in to "roast" Wise

who is leaving the Commis-

sion after more than 23

years in office.

Wise served as NARUC

President in 2003-2004,

and has chaired the Gas

Committee for the past sev-

eral years.

Commissioner Wise's wife Denise "roasting" her husband

LUNCHEON FOR COMMISSIONER STAN WISE

On February 20 staff gathered to express well wishes for Commissioner Wise as he steps into a new chapter of his life after more than 23 years at the Commission. Many shared memories and great stories. He will be missed!

Michelle Thebert

Chairman McDonald
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Commissioner Wise's wife Denise looking on as he speaks

Commissioner Wise and his long time Executive Assistant Sallie Tanner

COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF TAKE PART IN NARUC WINTER POLICY SUMMIT
Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald with Maryland Public Service Commissioner Anthony J. O'Donnell after passage of the NARUC Electric Committee's Nuclear Waste Resolution. NARUC passed a resolution co-authored by Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald calling on the federal government to honor its commitment to take nuclear waste from the states.
Jamie Barber, Manager of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Group, moderated a panel on rate design during a session of the Staff Subcommittee on Rate Design.
.

COMMISSION APPROVES $43.6 MILLION IN REFUNDS FOR GEORGIA POWER
CUSTOMERS
The Commission on January 16, 2018 unanimously ordered Georgia Power Company to refund its customers $43.6 million. The refunds are the result of the Company earning above its Commission approved return on equity (ROE) for calendar year 2016 under terms of the Commission's order in the 2013 Georgia Power rate case in Docket 36989. The exact amount per customer and the date of the refunds will be determined in a later filing.

Bill Edge, Public Information Officer, (second from left) moderated a panel in the Consumers and the Public Interest Staff Subcommittee on Utility Scams and Educating Consumers.

News for the next newsletter? Send to Lynn Page at: lpage@psc.state.ga.us

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COMMISSION APPROVES CONTINUED
CONSTRUCTION OF NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT VOGTLE PROJECT
The Commission December 21, 2017 unanimously approved the continued construction of Georgia Power Company's Plant Vogtle Construction project but established conditions that will reduce the Company's revenue requirement by $1.7 billion during the con-

COMMISSIONERS ATTEND RIBBON CUTTING FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA SOLAR PROJECT

struction and operation of the plant. In its decision on the 17th Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report in Docket 29894, the Commission also ordered Georgia Power to give ratepayers $75 in bill credits by the end of the third quarter in 2018. Commission Vice Chairman Tim Echols' motion to impose these conditions received unanimous approval.
WINTER CAF JR.

Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald and Vice-Chair Tim Echols participated in a ribbon cutting December 6, 2017 for a community solar project in Comer, Georgia. The Commission originally approved three Megawatts to allow Georgia Power to offer 3,000 blocks of solar energy at a cost of $24.99 per block per month to interested customers beginning January 2018. Two Megawatts have already been built. As of mid-February, 413 blocks have been sold out of the 2,000 available. These projects allow customers who are unable to put rooftop solar on their homes the ability to support solar development in Georgia.

Thanks to Quawanda Boyer and contributions from staff, the holiday season was festive and filling!

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WELCOME COMMISSIONER PRIDEMORE

Commissioner Tricia

Pridemore took her seat on

the Commission on February

21, 2018. She is a business-

woman with experience in

technology, consulting and

workforce development and is

a co-founder of Accucast, a

software company. Pridemore

is the former executive direc-

tor of the Governor's Office of

Workforce Development and

helped to establish Georgia's

skilled trade initiative, which

encourages workforce growth

in the fields of energy, trans-

portation and construction.

She is a former member of the

Georgia World Congress Cen-

ter Authority Board of Gover-

Governor Nathan Deal administers the

nors and the Cobb-Marietta

oath of office to Commissioner Tricia Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Au-

Pridemore as her husband Michael thority. Pridemore was a member

looks on

of Deal's 2011 transition team

and co-chaired Deal's Inaugural

Committees in 2011 and 2015. She earned a bachelor's degree

from Kennesaw State University.

Pridemore and her husband, Michael, reside in Marietta and attend Mount Paran Church in Atlanta.

COMMISSIONER ECHOLS JOINS IN ELECTRIC CELEBRATION DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Commissioner Tim Echols joined with lawmakers and other advocates for electric vehicles on January 25, 2018 for EV Day at the Capitol. EV advocates are supporting legislation to lower the road fee on electric vehicles and reinstate the state income tax credit for purchasing an EV.

FISCAL OFFICE FLOOD
The great Fiscal Office flood occurred on January 2, 2018 around 5:20 p.m. Angela was in the office and called me on my cell. I called the GBA emergency number and they were there in 10 minutes to turn off the water. We made arrangements for Winifred to work from home while Monique moved Angela's equipment into a conference room for a few days until we received an all clear. The Georgia Building Authority patched and painted all the walls and the furniture was put back in place. It was not the worst flood we have had at the Commission during the past few years but it did get our attention and disrupted the Fiscal Office. Now we move on to spring but I have it from a good source that winter will be back. Thanks Commissioner Everett for the heads up!! By Terry Pritchett

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COMMISSION APPROVES EXPANSION OF HEARING PROGRAM TO SERVE MORE CHILDREN AND
ADULTS
More children and adults will be able to take advantage of the Commission managed Hearing Aid Distribution Program after the Commission voted December 5, 2017 to renew its contract with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (GLLF).
The GLLF operates the program under Commission supervision. The new contract includes a revised cost-based reimbursement structure for devices and a continuance of the flat-fee reimbursement for providers along with separate line items for administra-

H.E.A.T. ANNUAL MEETING
Commission Chairman Stan Wise represented the Commission at the annual meeting of H.E.A.T., Heating Energy Assistance Team, on November 8, 2017. H.E.A.T provides assistance for energy bills through a check off on natural gas bills. Southern Company Gas presented a check for $180,000 to H.E.A.T. Pictured with the Commissioner are Vernon Lee, H.E.A.T. Board of Directors (Left), and Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas and Florida City Gas, and senior vice president for Southern Compa-
Erica Wilson was recently promoted from an Administrative Assistant in Consumer Affairs to an Analyst in Telecom. She started with the commission on September 16, 2011, was promoted to Administrative Assistant in 2016 and is now promoted again! Congratulations for a job well done Erica.

tive and outreach programs.
This revised reimbursement structure will allow for the reduction of client copay rates in order to make the program more accessible to families in need and expand services to rural Georgia.

GEORGIA SOLAR HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Jamie Barber, Manager of the ERRE Unit was named a Finalist for the 2017 Solar Advocate of the Year award. Commissioner McDonald was in attendance to introduce her and present the award. Congratulations!

L-R Don Moreland, Commissioner McDonald and Jamie Barber

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

SEASON FOR ENGAGEMENTS

Sheree Kernizan and son Marcus.

Dorothy Buckner (4/16) Telecom
Nancy Gibson (3/1)
HAPPY TRAILS Farewell to Rachel Perry in the Telecom Unit. Rachel retired January 31, 2018 after 30 years of service. We will miss her and wish her relaxation and joy in her next adventures.
CONDOLENCES Our prayers and thoughts go out to Reece McAlister, Executive Secretary for the loss of his mother, Brenda Joyce McAlister on January 3, 2018. If you view the tribute video that Pat Welcome sent out, you will see just where Reece's infectious smile comes from!

Mikey and Eboni
Sheree Kernizan, Director of Electric Unit is welcoming another member to the family. Her son Michel (Mikey) proposed to Eboni in Dallas Texas on January 12th. Sheree and her other son, Marcus surprised them by being there to witness this special occasion. She said YES! You may recognize Mikey and Marcus as they once interned here at the commission.
Congratulations to Staff Attorney Preston Thomas on his engagement to Mimms Hodges. He proposed to Mimms on New Years Eve while vacationing in Breckenridge, Colorado. And... She said YES! too.

FAITHFUL SERVICE AND HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Holiday music by Bill Edge, Will Culbreath, Commissioner McDonald, Dona Cucich and Alan Towe

The Commission recognized the service of its faithful personnel and celebrated the holiday season with an awards program and luncheon on December 20, 2017. Commissioners and staff contributed food/funds to make it an awesome feast!

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COMMISSION CALENDAR

March 2018 1 -- Committee Meetings 6 -- Administrative Session 15--Committee Meetings 20--Administrative Session
29--Committee Meetings

April 2018 3 -- Administrative Session 12--Committee Meetings 17--Administrative Session 23--Holiday
26--Committee Meetings

May 2018 1- Administrative Session 10 -- Committee Meetings 15-- Administrative Session 28--Memorial Day
31--Committee Meetings

HOLIDAYS COMING UP!

Monday, April 23rd

Monday, May 28th

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
Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Chairman Tim G. Echols, Vice Chair Doug Everett Chuck Eaton Tricia Pridemore
Executive Director: Deborah Flannagan Executive Secretary: Reece McAlister

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