Georgia PSC to Vote on Banning Secret Conversations

AARP Georgia Supports Fair and Open Process

Source: AARP.org | June 13, 2007

Georgia's Public Service Commission will meet July 3 to decide whether individuals with business pending before the PSC should be allowed to lobby its members in private, off-the-record meetings.

Georgia is one of only two states in the nation that allows parties to a contested case to have private conversations with PSC members while a case is being decided.

PSC commissioner Angela Speir, a Republican, introduced a motion earlier this year to limit so-called ex parte communications. Ex parte (pronounced ex-PAR-tay) refers to communication before an authority by just one party to a dispute without other parties having an opportunity to know what was said or to respond.

One example of ex parte communication might involve a representative for a Georgia utility company seeking a rate hike having private conversations with the commissioners deciding its case.

"State law already allows public utilities wide latitude in requesting rate increases," said Cas Robinson, AARP Georgia president and a former PSC Commissioner. "Giving lobbyists of powerful special interests one-on-one access to key state regulators puts consumers at a significant disadvantage."

Members of the general public already face challenges to participating in the public process of setting utility rates and service standards, Robinson noted.

"Finding the time to sit through lengthy public hearings is difficult for anyone who holds down a full-time job, with the notable exception of the lobbyists who are paid to be there," Robinson said.

AARP Georgia encourages those interested in supporting a fair and open process at the Georgia PSC to send an email or call the Public Service Commission to express support for limiting private, closed-door ex parte communication. The PSC's number for those inside metro Atlanta is (404)656-4501, and outside metro Atlanta, toll-free at 1-800-282-5813.