Georgia Sets the Standard for the Future of Energy

By Chris Clark, President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Georgia is an economic success story. In every region, new businesses are opening, and global brands are expanding operations. Many factors made Georgia’s economic success possible including our world-class workforce, exceptional logistics, and sound political leadership. Our success is also fueled by safe, affordable, resilient, and reliable power sources.

Georgia has that because of the strong relationships that the Georgia Chamber maintains with the Public Service Commission and our utility providers. Georgians know that when we turn on our TVs, we can watch Team USA win gold medals in Paris. When storms like Debby roll through, Georgians take comfort knowing any disruptions will be minimal. And when we open our power bills, we have confidence that the state’s electric utilities are investing for the future, while keeping customer affordability top of mind. Compare that to sunny California, with rolling brownouts. Or to our friends in Texas, who have a grid that falters during storms. Our energy rates don’t break the bank, like those paying for the privilege of living in well-intentioned New York. As states begin routine seasonal adjustments to their power formulas with predictions of increased volatility in the energy market, it has never been more critical for others to copy Georgia’s blueprint for energy success.

Success, of course, requires strong leadership. Georgia’s utility companies and the Public Service Commission, work together to strategically diversify our state’s energy portfolio utilizing multiple sources of affordable and reliable energy. Because of thoughtful business choices and a constructive and productive regulatory environment, energy providers are uniquely primed to meet the immediate and future energy demands of customers. This pro-growth mindset is necessary because Georgia’s energy needs are accelerating. In fact, by the year 2050, Georgia will need 40% more energy than we are using today.

Just recently, communities in Middle Georgia saw how this work pays off, when Oglethorpe Power announced the development of two new natural gas projects in Monroe and Talbot Counties. The two projects’ construction alone represents more than $2 billion in economic investment. The construction of these new assets will create permanent, high-quality jobs, hundreds of temporary construction jobs, increased local revenue during construction and ongoing tax revenue for schools and county operations. When operational, the 4.5 million Georgians who rely on our local EMCs to meet their rising electricity demands will benefit from state-of-the-art, highly efficient and reliable power supply.

Perhaps most importantly, Georgia is now home to the country’s first nuclear power units built after a nearly three-decade new construction hiatus. Plant Vogtle--co-owned by Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and Dalton Utilities--represents one of the most significant energy accomplishments in recent history. After losing a generation of nuclear knowledge, our energy providers led by Georgia Power, stepped up to meet the needs of today’s energy marketplace by completing Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle, now the largest source of clean energy in the country.

Plant Vogtle’s expansion also represents a significant investment in energy reliability. Nuclear power provides a clean, safe, and stable supply of electricity. This reliability is crucial, especially in times of fluctuating global energy markets and geopolitical energy imperialism that can disrupt supply chains. By investing in nuclear energy, Georgia ensures a consistent power supply for our children and the next generation of small businesses, fostering truly long-term economic stability.

With reliable, diverse, safe, and affordable energy sources, like our natural gas facilities and nuclear reactors, Georgia can make investments in our future economy. At the Georgia Chamber, we are crafting the state’s 25-year economic outlook. We know that future industries will need more energy. And lots of it. Whether that’s artificial intelligence, cloud servers, or the new boon in auto manufacturing. Because of our strong energy sources, Georgia is the best positioned state to continue making necessary strategic investments to ensure our long-term economic prosperity.

The Georgia Chamber already knows that states want to emulate Georgia. Why wouldn’t they? We are the number one state in the country to do business for an unprecedented 11 years in a row. At a June energy summit in Washington D.C., representatives from the military, environmental leaders, data center developers, federal agencies, and utilities from across the nation sought out advice from Georgia utility leaders. Georgia's energy resilience, in particular the success of completing Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle dominated the discussion, animating the very energy in the room. They now know what the Georgia Chamber knows: Georgia's business and government leaders are setting the standard for how to grow a state and do business.

We are excited about the future of Georgia, of the potential of our small businesses, frontier founders, and advanced manufacturers. Continued smart investments in the future of infrastructure and energy will only solidify our economic prosperity…for your children and grandchildren.

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