Echols to conduct meetings across state on Utilities’ rate increases

ATHENS, Ga., (May 4, 2010) - Today on the Tim Bryant Show on WGAU in Athens, Tim Echols, candidate for Public Service Commission announced that he will conduct a series of public meetings on the proposed Atlanta Gas Light $54 million rate hike and the pending Georgia Power Co. June rate hike request. These sessions will be held across Georgia this summer, prior to the primary election on July 20th.

“Georgia’s Public Service Commission needs to follow the lead of other states and conduct hearings throughout the state,” said Echols. “The rate hikes of these two utility giants will affect all Georgians, and citizens from across the state should have input.”

Echols said he will conduct public meetings this summer in communities around Georgia regarding the pending rate requests. He is especially sensitive to south Georgia because of recent media stories about the region’s lack of “voice” on these issues. [see Brunswick News editorial link below]

“The Brunswick News editorial on May 3 taking Georgia’s PSC to task for limiting the hearings to just Atlanta was right on target,” said Echols. “Hearings from other parts of the state give more people a chance to comment and I believe will give the Commission a broader picture of the impact that increased utility costs have on consumers statewide.”

Echols believes the Obama administration will soon take up “Cap and Trade,” and this could be devastating for Georgia. He says that if Obama’s Cap and Trade legislation passes, Georgia’s renewable energy portfolio standard will be set by the federal government—and it could be as high as 20 percent. “If Cap and Trade passes, the electric bill for everyone in this state will jump drastically,” said Echols.

Tim Echols has been married to Windy Davis Echols of Roswell 26 years and they have seven children, ages 21 down to 9. Echols has three degrees from the University of Georgia. He founded the youth organization, TeenPact, in 1994 and chairs the organization—now in 38 states. He is the author of the book "Real Citizenship," a primer on political activism. The book is available on Amazon. Echols has been active in GOP politics assisting candidates all over the country, most recently John Oxendine and Congressman Paul Broun. He grew up in Clayton County and attended public schools there before attending the University of Georgia.