The PSC pulse, 2019 Fall

Georgia Public Service Commission

Fall 2019

IRP APPROVED DURING BUSY SUMMER SOLAR POWER ARRAY NEARLY DOUBLES

In a summer marked by the three-year Georgia Power Company Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and rate cases associated with both Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved an IRP that will nearly doubles Georgia's solar power array. This was accomplished utilizing a market-based approach without any upward pressure on the rate payers and no state subsidies. Georgia Power had initially recommended adding 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy to the grid. In a stipulation agreement with Commission staff, that amount was increased to 1,650 megawatts. During a July hearing, PSC Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald made a motion to increase solar energy procurement to 2,210 megawatts, the largest increase in Georgia's history. The five-member Commission voted unanimously to pass the motion. In 2013 Georgia only had some nominal solar energy online, less than 300 megawatts. In the 2013 IRP, the Commission added 525 megawatts of solar energy. Three years later, in the 2016 IRP, another 1,600 megawatts were added. Georgia should have a total of 2,400 megawatts of solar and other renewable energy on the grid by the end of this year and 4,550 megawatts by the end of 2022.
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STAFF GETS UPDATE ON OPENRECORD LAWS
As state employees, we must always remember that the word "public" in Georgia Public Service Commission is possibly the most important word we deal with on a daily basis.
To that end, Commissioners and Staff gathered recently for a primmer and update on Georgia's open meetings and open record laws.
Asst. Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo, an expert in Georgia's "Sunshine Law" came to offer a presentation and answer questions. The bottom line, answer queries immediately, even if it's just to tell the person you'll have to find them an answer.

PSC OUTGROWING ITS HEARING ROOM

April hearing in the first-floor hearing room where every seat was occupied

Administrative sessions, committee hearings, and this summer's IRP hearings are evidence that the PSC is outgrowing its hearing room. For most events in the first-floor room, visitors are standing along both walls and every seat is taken. During one meeting in July, Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald asked for a volunteer to stand so a female senior citizen could have a seat. Two young men quickly offered.

April hearing

McDonald said he hopes the Building Authority will consider allotting more space to the PSC once the new law building opens and the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court vacate their current space.

Commissioner Chuck Eaton, center, and Commissioners Jason Shaw and Tricia Pridemore, seated at right, along with staff listen to Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo, standing at left.
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July hearing where audience members stood along the walls of the room

NATURAL GAS STAFF TAKES FIELD TRIPS TO GEORGIA TECH AND BALDWIN PAVING

Members of the PSC Gas Staff recently visited two large industrial customers served on Atlanta Gas Light's system Georgia Tech and the Baldwin Paving Company. Although both receive firm and interruptible natural gas service respectively, the primary purpose of the visit was to give Gas

Staff firsthand knowledge of the operations of customers who operate under AGL's interruptible rate schedules.

Gas Staff was able to tour Georgia Tech facilities and learn how natural gas runs its on-campus steam boilers. While at Baldwin Paving, Gas Staff met with a representative who discussed how vital firm and interruptible natural gas service is to their operations. At both locations, company representatives explained how they monitor operations, specifically during curtailments and which backup fuel is utilized when natural gas service is interrupted.

Natural Gas Director Nancy Tyer discusses operations with a Georgia Tech Engineer.

COMMISSIONERS CELEBRATE FLOYD PIPELINE UPGRADE
Commissioners Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Tim Echols, and Chuck Eaton visited the Rome Floyd Chamber to help celebrate the replacement of a 4-inch natural gas pipeline from Rome to International Paper with a new 12-inch line. The public-private partnership included the PSC, Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light, International Paper and Rome/Floyd County officials.
The $22.3 million project will be completed in phases through its completion in 2021. The pipeline will assist International Paper's efforts to switch a coal-fired plant to cheaper and more environmentally friendly natural gas.

PSC Commissioner Chuck Eaton at the Rome Floyd Chamber speaking before representatives with Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light, International Paper and local government leaders.

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COMMISSONER ECHOLS SPEAKS TO BUSINESS RADIO X

Public Service Commission Vice Chair Tim Echols took time before speaking on a FinTech South panel at Mercedes Benz Stadium to answer questions from a host at Business Radio X, an Internet based network.

ENERGY OVER THE AIRWAVES

Commission Chairman

Lauren

"Bubba"

McDonald stopped by

the offices of WABE radio

to sit down with Rose

Scott of the program

"Closer Look."

The Chairman discussed solar energy and the free market, Georgia's energy needs and the benefits of using nuclear energy production to support solar power.

COMMISSIONER PRIDEMORE APPOINTED TO NARUC SUMCOMMITTEE
The President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) has appointed PSC Commissioner Tricia Pridemore to serve on its Subcommittee on Education and Research.
This subcommittee is responsible for all of the training that NARUC provides commissioners and commission staff nationwide.
The Executive Director of NARUC, Greg White, has said he considers education to be NARUC's most important function.
COMMISSIONER SHAW ADDS BIOMASS TO THE IRP
Shortly before the Public Service Commission was set to approve the 2019 Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan, Commissioner Jason Shaw made a motion to add 50 megawatts of biomass energy production. The motion was adopted unanimously.
"Georgia has a vast timber industry that has seen recent challenges from Hurricanes Michael and Matthew," Shaw said after the vote. "We saw resources literally rot on the ground that could have been used as fuel for energy generation. Biomass energy helps both the timber industry plus rural Georgia, where jobs in biomass plants would provide stable employment in much needed areas."

Andres Villegas, President & CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, commended Shaw for his promotion of biomass energy.
PSC Chairman Lauren "Bubba"
"This vote sends a strong message McDonald, Director of the Georthat our state is committed to sup- gia Forestry Commission Chuck porting sustainable sources of renew- Williams, and PSC Electric Unit able energy and rural jobs," he said. Director Sheree Kernizan tour a
biomass plant in Barnesville

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HOPEWORKS HIRES SUMMER INTERNS

Every summer, HopeWorks hires several summer interns to serve with staff. This summer, three young men joined in to lend a hand. Raymond, a junior at West Georgia studying to be a physician's assistant, and Jamari, a junior at Georgia State University studying graphic arts, returned from last year's intern program. The newest intern, Joseph, is a sophomore at Georgia Southern University studying computer science.

Their time, every morning, includes some very practical "hands-on" work serving HopeWorks widows. But the program is not just about cutting grass or pressure washing houses. It also involves spending time with the low-income senior widows, talking and praying

with them after working on their homes. The result is a transfer of knowledge, wisdom, and love from the widows to these young men. They are learning the value of serving others in practical ways, while acquiring a better understanding of what Christ's ministry is all about.

Summer interns Raymond, Jamari and Joseph on a recent trip to help some of our seniors in Savannah. Also pictured Mrs. Campbell (City of Savannah Housing) and
Mrs. Kitchens (HopeWorks widow)

All in a Day's Work

TOURING SPELMAN COLLEGE
Several GPSC Commissioners joined Electric Unit Director Sheree Kernizan for a luncheon at Spelman College.
Beyond a tour and a fellowship lunch, discussions included a briefing on The Atlanta University Center Consortium, the world's oldest and largest association of historically Black colleges and universities in the country.
For Sheree Kernizan, it was a bit of a homecoming. She is a Spelman alum.
To read about the recent recognition she received from her alma mater, read "Milestones" on Page 7.

Anyone who opened The Atlanta Journal Constitution one day in July got to see the PSC in action as pipeline safety supervisor Jeff Baggett was photographed hard at work.

From left to right -- Commissioners Jason Shaw and Chuck Eaton, Felicia Davis, Director of the Building Green Initiative at Clark Atlanta University, Electric Unit Director Sheree Kernizan, Commissioners Tim Echols and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, and Chandra Farley, Director of the Just Energy Program at the Partnership for Southern Equity.

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SAFE AND SOUND

TRAVELING FAR, FAR AWAY

Commission Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald is flanked by his two bodyguards grandsons at Riverside Military Academy. Wylie, on the left, is a junior. Ridley is a freshman.
UK VISITS THE USA
Recently, several members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom stopped by the PSC offices and sat down with Commission Vice Chairman Tim Echols. Topics included electric and autonomous vehicles, public transportation, smart-city technology and even the abolition of slavery.

Above, PSC Commissioner Tim Echols stands at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, with fellow U.S. energy officials on a study tour paid for by the German American Chamber of Commerce.
At right, PSC Human Resources Director Cheryl Dumas uses a little camera trickery to give a hip new look to the 4,500-year -old Sphynx during her vacation in Egypt.

Commissioner Tim Echols speaks with four Members of Parliament, and staffers from the U.K. Consul General's Office.
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Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald and his wife Shelley stand before the Great Wall of China during a trip to the other side of the world.
The trip, which cost no taxpayer money, allowed McDonald to provide the Asia Nuclear Business Platform with an update on the Vogtle nuclear power expansion project.
Experts from the Asia and international nuclear community were appreciative of McDonald's insights.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
30 YEARS
Alan Towe
25 YEARS
Commissioner Jason Shaw (total time with the state)
20 YEARS
Monique Andrews Claudette Willingham
15 YEARS
Ontario Johnson
5 YEARS
Nicholas Cooper
NEWLY HIRED

MILESTONES
Electric Unit Director Sheree Kernizan is celebrating two milestones. She was listed in the Spelman Messenger alumni magazine as an Influencer in Advocacy, Government and Public Policy.
Also, her son, Michel, married Eboni Cleveland in Dallas, Texas on July 5th

Executive Director Deborah Flannagan's daughter, Kristen, graduated high school with a 3.86 GPA, while also completing 62 college credits. So, she moves from senior in high school to college junior. For grad school, Kristen hopes to attend veterinary school.

Director of Operation Support Jada Brock reports that her son, Daniel, worked the runway at Men's Fashion Week in New York and appeared in the Italian issue of Vogue, highlighting his work in New York.

Scotty Davis was hired as a pipeline safety inspector in June. Previously, he worked at Southern Company Gas in the Asset Protection Department.
He and his wife Hannah have been married for 15 years and have two sons, Hayden and Luke.
Scotty is an Eagle Scout who enjoys building and re -finishing furniture.

Congratulations to Utilities Analyst Dhwani Chheda and Kunal Chawda on their engagement.
The nuptials will take place in Mumbai, India, in December.

The Legal Department's Jeffrey Stair became a grandfather for the first time when his daughter, Lauren, gave birth to Owen Jeffrey Hughes.

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COMMISSION CALENDAR

September 2019 2 -- Labor Day

October 2019

November 2019

1-2 -- Georgia Power Rate Case 4-7 -- Georgia Power Rate Case

3 -- Administrative Session 10-12 -- Atlanta Gas Light Rate Case 12 -- Committee Meetings 17 -- Administrative Session 26 -- Committee Meetings
30 -- Georgia Power Rate Case

2 -- Administrative Session 1o -- Committee Meetings

5 -- Administration Session 11 -- Veterans Day

14 -- Columbus Day

14-- Committee Meetings

15 -- Administrative Session

21-- Administrative Session

23-24 -- Atlanta Gas Light Rate Case
31 -- Committee Meetings

21-22 -- Atlanta Gas Light Rate Case
25-26 -- Georgia Power Rate Case
28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday

HOLIDAYS COMING UP!

Monday, Sept. 2

Monday, Oct. 14

Monday, Nov. 11

Thursday, Nov. 28 & Friday, Nov. 29

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 Tom Krause, Public Information Officer or Lynn Page, Newsletter Editor.

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

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