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 hasn’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.

Data center decisions: Around the country, voters had their say in more than 40 data center-related ballot measures. Most landed in Ohio, followed by Illinois. In the Buckeye State, several communities passed local bans.

Utility spending in elections: The majority (>80%) of Michiganders voted for a ballot measure to ban monopoly utility spending in state campaigns.

The Lone Star State’s energy future: In Texas, Ben Flores (D) won the election for land commissioner. He’ll oversee the leasing of TX lands for energy production—and plans on “welcoming energy producers of every kind,” including gas, solar, wind, and geothermal.

Big Tech is collaborating with environmental groups on a “common national framework for responsible data development,” The Hill reported. The orgs involved include Microsoft, Google, Sierra Club, and the League of Conservation Voters.

The goal? To encourage community support, “durable economic development,” and “more affordable, reliable and emissions free energy.” This echoes OpenAI’s new effort to increase coordination with utilities and lawmakers.

The timing: The midterm results make it clear—voters are frustrated with the data center buildout. Now, tech companies seem to be shifting PR strategies.

The details: The megamerger must get the rubber stamp from judges at VA’s Corporation Commission—and, for that to happen, state officials have proposed a list of 117 conditions. The companies accepted most of them…but had a few tweaks, NextEra wrote in a press release. 

The companies’ new merger proposal includes 1) Four years of shareholder-funded customer bill credits 2) $100M in contributions to an energy assistance and weatherization fund and 3) a $100M investment in workforce development.

Yes, but: NextEra and Dominion rejected the suggestion to freeze rates for three years.

What happened: Under a recent state law, utilities must ensure that large-load customers cover their service costs—and Duke Energy Florida’s proposed tariff doesn’t cut it, the Florida Public Service Commission said. 

Why? Duke hasn’t “adequately demonstrated” that large loads will actually foot the bill. Plus, officials noted, the tariff leaves out customers who don’t request firm service.

Meanwhile: Duke Energy Florida’s residential customers will see a slight dip in bills early next year, the company announced, due in part to fast-tracked tax credit returns.