During a public hearing, Marjorie Durand, founder of Georgians for Affordable Energy, sharply criticized Georgia Power for prioritizing profit over consumer interests and environmental goals. She accused the utility of deliberately investing in new natural-gas power plants to benefit its affiliated gas companies rather than focusing on cleaner alternatives like solar and battery storage. Durand said her organization was formed to hold Georgia Power accountable for business decisions that she believes harm ratepayers and undermine the state’s environmental objectives.
Durand described Georgia Power’s conduct as unethical and “immoral,” pointing to a clear conflict of interest: the utility’s preference for fossil-gas development over renewable energy. She argued this choice reflects a failure to serve the public good, particularly when cleaner, sustainable technologies are available. Her comments reflect mounting frustration among environmental advocates and consumer groups who feel state regulators have done too little to restrain what they view as Georgia Power’s profit-driven strategies.
According to Durand, Georgia Power’s actions not only hinder clean-energy progress but also place a financial burden on Georgia consumers and carry long-term environmental consequences. She claimed that by tilting investments toward natural gas to benefit affiliated companies, the utility is choosing its own profits at the expense of the public. Durand insisted that oversight and accountability must be strengthened and likened Georgia Power’s conduct to a form of “corruption” that no reputable court would allow. “There is no court in the land that would allow that kind of corruption to go on,” she said, adding uncertainty as to why the state of Georgia tolerates it.
In response, Georgia Power defended its energy strategy, stating that its investment decisions aim to ensure reliable power for customers and to meet the state’s growing energy needs responsibly. The utility maintained that its approach sought to balance supply and demand while incorporating broader system reliability goals. The exchange highlights rising tensions between major utility companies and watchdog organizations pushing for increased renewable energy investment.
