Tax relief for seniors; Autonomous vehicles; Public Service Commission public comments

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – May 21, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello, Georgia Today delivers comprehensive and engaging reporting on the most pressing issues affecting Georgia residents. In this episode, aired on May 21, 2025, the podcast delves into three major topics: property tax relief for seniors, the advent of autonomous vehicles in Atlanta, and the effectiveness of public comment periods within the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Additionally, the episode touches on several other significant local news stories, providing listeners with a well-rounded perspective on current events in Georgia.

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1. Property Tax Relief for Seniors

Atlanta Housing Authority's Initiative

The Atlanta Housing Authority has announced a substantial initiative aimed at aiding senior citizens. The Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund offers 20 years of property tax relief to Atlanta residents over the age of 60 who earn less than $48,000 annually and have lived in the city since at least 2015.

• Eligibility and Benefits:

  • Freezes Property Taxes: Residents' property taxes and any increases are frozen for the next two decades.
  • Community Growth: Wayne Martin, a candidate for the Atlanta City Council, emphasized the program's role in fostering community growth without placing undue financial strain on seniors.

• Source & Deadline:

  • The initiative is a collaboration between the city and Invest Atlanta.
  • Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2025.

Notable Quote:

"It welcomes and invites new residents to move in. It welcomes and invites new commercial development without adding shock value to our senior citizens who have fixed incomes..."
— Tim Echols, Public Service Commission Member [11:32]

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2. Autonomous Vehicles Enter Atlanta

Amazon-Owned Zoox's Expansion

Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, is set to deploy a limited fleet of self-driving vehicles in downtown Atlanta. This move positions Atlanta alongside cities like those served by Waymo, which has been testing self-driving taxis available soon through the Uber app.

• Reasons for Choosing Atlanta:
  • Diverse Road Conditions: Atlanta's varied traffic patterns provide an ideal testing ground.
  • Unique Weather Conditions: The city's weather variability helps in refining vehicle performance.
  • Growing Technology Sector: A robust tech ecosystem supports innovation and integration of autonomous technologies.

Notable Quote:

"Atlanta has been testing autonomous technologies longer than most cities and continues to show that it’s a prime market for deploying autonomous vehicle technology."
— Zoox Representative [Exact timestamp not provided]

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3. Public Service Commission and Public Comments

Effectiveness of Public Input in PSC Decisions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to examining whether the Georgia Public Service Commission truly considers public input during its decision-making processes, specifically regarding Georgia Power's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

• Overview of the Issue:
  • Public Comments Analysis: Reporters Margaret Walker and Kayla Hunter investigated nearly 900 public comments submitted during PSC public comment periods.
  • Public Sentiment: Approximately 42% (419 comments) expressed concerns over the continued reliance on fossil fuels, highlighting issues related to health, environmental impact, climate change, and future generations.

Interviews and Insights:

• Margaret Walker & Kayla Hunter's Findings:

  • Margaret Walker: Emphasized the diverse concerns raised by the public.

    "The concerns came in the ways of concern for their health, concern for the environment, concerned about climate change..."
    [03:25]

  • Kayla Hunter: Highlighted the significant percentage of comments favoring renewable energy.

    "42%, which I would argue is bigger than a small pocket of concern."
    [05:16]

• PSC Member Tim Echols' Stance:

  • Dismissal of Public Polls: Echols stated that public comments do not directly influence policy decisions.

    "That is not how I set public policy. I set public policy based on judgment."
    [05:32]

  • Access to Information: Claimed to base decisions on comprehensive data beyond public comments.

    "He simply knows more, that as a member of the PSC, he has access to information that the public doesn't..."
    [05:51]

Discussion:

• Kayla Hunter: Criticized Echols' approach, questioning the purpose of public comment periods if they aren't factored into decisions.

  "What is the point of the public comments? What's the point of the process?"
  [06:14]

• Margaret Walker: Highlighted Echols' active engagement with the public but questioned the tangible impact of such interactions.

  "What is the point of having a public comment forum if you're not considering it?"
  [07:03]

• Peter Biello's Analysis: Drew parallels between the PSC and other public bodies where vocal minorities may not sway decisions dominated by a silent majority.

Conclusion: The segment underscores a disconnect between public sentiment and PSC decisions, raising questions about the transparency and responsiveness of elected officials in handling energy policies that significantly impact Georgia residents.

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4. Additional News Highlights

a. Immigration Detention Case

• Jimena Arias Cristobal's Release:
  • A 19-year-old North Georgia college student, detained for over two weeks, has been granted bond and will return home.
  • Legal Perspective: Attorney Dustin Baxter notes the challenges faced by individuals without a clear path to legal status.

    "If he can prove to a judge that he's been here for more than 10 years... they could be granted permanent resident status."
    [01:37]

b. Rate Freeze for Georgia Power Customers

• Governor Brian Kemp's Support:
  • Endorsed a proposed rate freeze aimed at stabilizing energy costs for consumers and businesses.
  • Potential Impact: While rates remain steady through 2028, certain costs like Hurricane Helene's cleanup or data center expansions may affect bills.

    "Energy rates are only one piece of your energy bill..."
    [09:43]

c. Tennessee Valley Authority's Nuclear Ambitions

• Small Nuclear Reactor Proposal:
  • TVA seeks federal approval to build a next-generation small nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, marking a first in the U.S.
  • Significance: This move could position TVA at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.

d. Workplace Safety Incident

• Fatal Accident at Hyundai's Megasite:
  • A construction worker lost his life due to an unsecured load from a forklift, marking the second such fatality since March.
  • Hyundai's Response: Extended condolences to the affected family; an investigation by OSHA is pending.

e. Park Closures Due to Staffing Shortages

• Impact on Recreation:
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closing two dozen parks and campgrounds around lakes Lanier, Allatoona, Walter F. George, and George W. Andrews.
  • Economic Implications: These areas are pivotal for summer tourism, raising concerns about local economies ahead of peak season.

f. Local Sports Update

• Atlanta Braves' Performance:
  • The Braves prepared for a crucial game against the Nationals, with Spencer Strider returning to the mound post-injury.
  • Game Highlight: Strider gave up four earned runs over four and a third innings, with AJ Smith Shawver set to start the next game.

g. Public Safety Reminder

• Hinesville Police Warning:
  • Residents were cautioned against exiting vehicles on busy highways following an incident involving counterfeit movie prop money scattered on Highway 196.
  • Legal Alert: Attempting to pass fake bills is a felony, and authorities successfully cleared the rogue bills from the roadway.

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5. Concluding Remarks

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with ongoing stories through the PSC's upcoming hearings and to stay informed via GPB News. The episode underscores the importance of active civic participation and awareness of local developments shaping the lives of Georgians.

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Stay Informed: For more detailed coverage on these stories and additional news, visit gpb.org/news or subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is reminding people that the Good Samaritan law can save lives during alcohol and drug overdoses. People are urged to call 911 and stay until help arrives. More [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB news team. I'm on today's episode. Atlanta Housing Authority is offering 20 years of property tax relief to seniors. An autonomous vehicle company is coming to Georgia. And does the state's Public Service Commission actually consider what people say during public comment periods?

[Tim Echols]

I don't add up the comments. Okay, let's see. 50 said this and 70 said that and 90 said this. That is not how I set public policy.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Wednesday, May 21st. Hi, I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia today. A 19 year old North Georgia college student who had been in immigration detention for more than two weeks has been granted bond and will go home. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[Grant Blankenship]

Jimena Arias Cristobal was detained by Immigration Customs and Enforcement after she landed in the Whitefield County Jail but before the Dalton Police Department dropped the traffic charge against her. Now she'll be released by ICE on the lowest bond an immigration judge can set. Dustin Baxter represents Arias Cristobal, who was brought to the US when she was four. He says before detention she had no path to legal status. Now her hopes rest with her father, who also just left detention.

[Peter Biello]

If he can prove to a judge that he's been here for more than 10 years, he's been a person of good moral character and he's got US Citizen children, they would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if he was removed. Then he could be granted permanent resident status.

[Grant Blankenship]

Then his daughter would too. For GPV News, I'm Grant Blankenship.

[Peter Biello]

Next week, the Georgia Public Service Commission will resume negotiations with Georgia Power on their new Integrated Resource Plan. The IRP is how Georgia Power describes the mix of ways it will produce electricity for its customers. Over the years, hundreds of concerned citizens have asked Georgia's Public Service Commission during public comment periods to to approve IRPs by Georgia Power only if they rely more on renewable energy and less on fossil fuels. But the five member elected body has consistently voted for Georgia Power plans that continue reliance on fossil fuels. And that has led some to wonder what is the point of public comment periods if our elected leaders don't seem to be listening? Reporters Kayla Hunter of the Columbus Ledger Inquirer and Margaret Walker of the Macon Telegraph have been reporting on this and they're with me now. Welcome to the program.

[Margaret Walker]

Hi. Thanks for having us.

[Kayla Hunter]

Thanks, Peter.

[Peter Biello]

I'll start with you, Margaret. In your reporting, you've looked at how many people have made comments and what, broadly speaking, those people were speaking for or against. What did you find in the numbers.

[Margaret Walker]

We looked at, Kayla can confirm it was close to 900 comments. Was that right, Kayla?

[Kayla Hunter]

Yeah. The numbers ended up being about 42% of the almost a thousand comments expressed concern over using fossil fuels in the energy mix. For the last two Georgia Power Integrated Resources Plan, that was like 419 out of almost a thousand comments.

[Margaret Walker]

And those concerns came in the ways of concern for their health, concern for the environment, concerned about climate change, concerned about future generations. The concerns came in many different forms and we looked into all, all of.

[Peter Biello]

Those different categories and it seems as though, at least on first glance, that those preferences are not finding their way into the vote outcomes of the psc. You've spoken to some members of the Public Service Commission. What have they said when confronted with the accusation that they may not be listening to that 42%.

[Margaret Walker]

The public service commissioners told us that they first care about safety, reliability and, and cost and then they look at sustainability as kind of like a fourth consideration. But those three things come first to them. And they did say that they read all of the public comment. They said if people reach out to us, then we read it or we listen to it. But when it came to voting, they still voted in favor of the heavily reliant fossil fuel plan because that I.

[Peter Biello]

Guess, is safer in their view, or more cost effective.

[Kayla Hunter]

Yeah, I mean one of the commissioners said, look like the concerns aren't as I would say they more so dismissed the level of people that are concerned. They said, look, those are just small pockets of concerns. Those aren't what you think they are. And we actually did the numbers and found 42%, which I would argue is bigger than a small pocket of concern. But they have. We could go into a lot more detail about their reasoning for voting the way they voted. A big claim they like to use is having a diverse energy mix.

[Peter Biello]

Recently, GPB's Grant Blankenship spoke with PSC member Tim Echols and asked him about whether or not the voice of those showing up at public hearings, public comment, periods of being heard. And, and here's what he had to say.

[Tim Echols]

I don't add up the comments. Okay, let's see. 50 said this and 70 said that and 90 said this. That is not how I set public policy. I set public policy based on Judgment. That's how I set public policy. I'm not just taking some kind of poll out here and making a decision based on a poll.

[Peter Biello]

And he also told Grant Blankenship a few things, that some of the young people who raised the loudest objections recently were from out of state. And the other thing he said was that he simply knows more, that as a member of the psc, he has access to information that the public doesn't, and that's what he's making his decisions based on. I want to ask both of you what you make of his argument. We'll start with you, Kayla.

[Kayla Hunter]

Well, I think what. What Grant is getting at is sort of like, well, how do you. How do you assess what to consider? And what do you. How do you essentially do your job? And if Eccles is saying that his job isn't to sort of count public comments or make tallies, it begs the question, well, what's the point of the public comments? What's the point of the process? You know, so, I mean, I think Eccles comment is, you know, obviously a very sort of. I think he's kind of running around the question of the purpose of the comments and why the plans continue to include energy sources that have proven time and time again to be harmful to public health and the stability of our planet and ecosystems.

[Margaret Walker]

Margaret, I will say this about Echols. I think when we looked at how the commissioners, aside from public comment, are gathering information about what their constituents. Echols is an involved commissioner, so he goes to, I would argue, the most out of all of the commissioners, public meetings and events, interacting maybe with the most people in the public. However, what is the point of having a public comment forum if you're not considering it? Is it just a formality or.

[Kayla Hunter]

Is.

[Margaret Walker]

It actually being considered?

[Peter Biello]

Well, in their defense, they're not saying that they're not considering it. It's just not outweighing other things that they have said are more important.

[Margaret Walker]

Right, right, right.

[Peter Biello]

The members of the PFC seem then to be citing their impression of a silent majority versus a vocal minority. And so I'm wondering, how is this different from any other public body where, you know, loud yet relatively smaller groups show up at meetings of democratically elected governing bodies, whether it be like school board or a city council, and they don't always get what they want. How is this different?

[Kayla Hunter]

I think it's different because the Public Service Commission's role is to, I'll actually quote, the purpose of the Integrated Resource Plan. The overall objective of the plan should be based on current commission policy concerning minimizing customer bills, minimizing overall rates and maximizing net societal benefit. So I would say incorporating what, 42% of society that's paying the bills, maximizing their societal benefit would be an important thing to consider given that they are, you know, they are paid public officials and our tax dollars pay for their for their roles. And that's really their job is to sort of be in this position of both judgment and decision making and hearing out all the different voices of Georgia Power customers.

[Peter Biello]

Climate reporters Margaret Walker with the Macon Telegraph and Kayla Hunter of the Columbus Ledger Inquirer, thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Kayla Hunter]

Thank you, Peter.

[Margaret Walker]

Thanks for having us.

[Peter Biello]

And if you want to make a comment on the next integrated resource plan, the Georgia Public Service Commission is holding hearings next week. You can also make comments through the PSC's website. The PSC is expected to make a final decision on the Georgia Power IRP by mid July. Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp is throwing his support behind a proposed rate freeze for Georgia Power customers. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[Brian Kemp]

Kemp says the deal negotiated between Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission is good for consumers and businesses in the state.

[Tim Echols]

That kind of long term thinking is shared by our utility partners and that's why energy in the state of Georgia is so reliable, plentiful and will remain so for decades to come.

[Brian Kemp]

But energy rates are only one piece of your energy bill. So while rates will hold steady through 2028, consumer bills could still go up next year due to the cost of cleanup for Hurricane Helene or depending on how the PSC manages the expansion of power hungry data centers. The announcement comes about a month before the primary PSC elections scheduled for June 19. For GPB news, I'm Sarah Kallis at the State Capitol.

[Peter Biello]

The nation's largest public power company, the Tennessee Valley Authority, is asking federal regulators for a permit to build a small nuclear reactor. The federally owned utility provides electricity to seven states, including parts of North Georgia. The TVA says it submitted a construction permit application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It's the first time in the US That a utility is asking regulators to build a small nuclear reactor. The utility says it wants to develop next generation nuclear power in Oak Ridge, Tennessee at its Clinch river site. Atlanta Housing Authority is offering 20 years of property tax relief to seniors to help them age in place. But as GPB's Amanda Andrews reports, the deadline to apply is coming up.

[Amanda Andrews]

The Anti Displacement Tax Relief Fund is open to residents over 60 making less than $48,000 a year for who have lived in Atlanta since at least 2015. It freezes residents property taxes and funds any increase for the next 20 years. Atlanta City Council candidate Wayne Martin says this tax relief helps the community grow.

[Tim Echols]

Because it welcomes and invites new residents to move in. It welcomes and invites new commercial development without adding shock value to our senior citizens who have fixed incomes and do not experience rising incomes at the same level as younger residents.

[Amanda Andrews]

The initiative is a partnership between the city and Invest Atlanta. The deadline to apply is May 31. For GPB news, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

A construction worker has been killed in a workplace accident at the Bryan county megasite in southeast Georgia, home to the newly opened $8 billion Hyundai Vehicle assembly plant. The accident happened yesterday at HLGA Battery, a Hyundai affiliate expected to manufacture batteries for the plant. The Bryan County Sheriff's Office said an unsecured load fell off a forklift found fatally striking a worker on the ground. In a statement, Hyundai extended its condolences to the family of the worker, whose name has not been released. GPB has reached out to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ask if an investigation into the death has been launched, but we have not heard back from the agency as of this recording. It's the second fatal forklift accident at the megasite since March. The U.S. army Corps of Engineers is closing two dozen parks and campgrounds in Georgia because of staffing shortfalls, the agency said today. The closures affect recreation areas around lakes Lanier and Allatoona, north of Atlanta, and Walter F. George and George W. Andrews in southwest Georgia. The announcement comes ahead of Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the start of summer lake season, an economic driver in many communities. It's unclear if the parks and campgrounds could remain open under state or local management. Amazon owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox is coming to Atlanta. The the company said yesterday it will deploy a small number of its testing fleet to downtown Atlanta. It says Atlanta's growing technology sector, diverse road conditions and unique weather conditions make the city a good place to launch its vehicles. The city has already seen autonomous vehicles. Waymo has been testing its self driving taxis, and the company says they'll be available to Atlanta customers soon through the Uber app. In sports, the Braves face the Nationals in Washington again tonight for the second of a four game series. Spencer Strider made his return to the mound last night after his second stint on the injured list. He gave up four earned runs and four and a third innings. AJ Smith Shawver is scheduled to start tonight for the Braves. In this final note, the police department in southeast Georgia's Hinesville reminded residents on social media today that getting out of your vehicle while in the middle of of a busy highway is a dangerous and, yes, illegal act. Why would the city's finest need to tell people that? Well, this morning on Highway 196, police said it looked like the opening scene of a heist movie with cash flying through the air and people hopping out of their cars thinking they just hit the jackpot. It turns out someone lost a bag full of motion picture Use only money, fake $100 bills that came off the back of a truck. The phony Benjamins covered the road and then, well, motorists became interested. Officers managed to clear the rogue bills from the highway, but they also reminded residents who might have snagged one before they did so that trying to pass movie prop bills as real money is a felony. And that's it for this edition of GEORGIA today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out gpb.org news and come on back tomorrow. We hope you will. There's more news to be heard. Subscribe to this podcast. That's the best way to do it. And send us your feedback as well, if you've got any. The email address to use is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Amanda Andrews]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Tim Echols]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Amanda Andrews]

We show you how money influences the everything.

[Kayla Hunter]

Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money.

[Amanda Andrews]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Tim Echols]

I had a bad feeling you're gonna bring that up.

[Amanda Andrews]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.