NEWS: The results are (mostly) in for three key utility regulator races.

In Georgia: The state’s PSC now has a blue majority—for the first time in 30 years. Peter Hubbard (D) held onto his seat, and Shelia Edwards (D) beat her Republican opponent. Utilities have long maintained “a very strong political hold,” in the Peach State, said Keriann Conroy, a research associate at the Energy and Policy Institute. Now, this election “shows a shift,” she told us.

In Arizona: As of Wednesday night, the race hadn't been called…but Dems. Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill have a solid lead so far. The duo campaigned on lowering rates, boosting utility transparency, and ensuring that data centers cover their costs. These early results signal that Arizonans favor candidates who are “considering the public interest in their decision-making,” Conroy said. 

In Louisiana: State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty (R) won in District 1, while oil & gas investor John Atkins (R) won in District 5 (where Meta is planning its $50B, 5-GW data center). Both ran on demands for utility transparency. The new commissioners will influence the state’s data center buildout and utilities’ upcoming resource plans. 

The takeaway: Ratepayers have rejected the status quo at public utility commissions, opting for both Democrats and Republicans who promised stricter oversight. "Voters agree on the goal, and split on who should enforce it,” Tommy Turner, a consultant who researches data centers and grid cost allocation, told Energy Central over email.