Georgia Politics, Campaigns & Elections for April 23, 2013

On Saturday, April 27th at 6 PM, join me at the Georgia Republican Assembly Debate for the candidates for Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. All four of the announced candidates will be there, Julianne Thompson will moderate, and Martha Zoller, Gwinnett GOP Chair Rachel Little and your humble editor of GaPundit.com will be asking questions.

Please take a moment to visit the website and submit a question to be asked at the debate.

As a clean-up for yesterday’s incomplete list of new Georgia GOP District Chairs, here is a complete list of the District Chairs elected Saturday.

Video from the Eleventh Congressional District

BartowPolitics.com has video from the Eleventh Congressional District Convention of Senator Barry Loudermilk announcing his candidacy for Congress, and State Rep. Edward Lindsey discussing his campaign. Their website is currently down, but the video is still accessible.

Break Like the Wind

Georgia Power announced yesterday that it will buy up to 250 megawatts of electricity generated by a wind farm in Oklahoma.

Through the contracts, Georgia Power will source 250 megawatts (MW) of cost-effective wind energy from EDP’s wind farms in southwest Oklahoma. The wind energy purchased through these contracts will provide enough electricity at peak to power more than 50,000 Georgia homes.

“We are continuously evaluating energy options that provide the best overall economic value to our customers,” said Paul Bowers, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “Adding wind energy to our generation mix underscores our commitment to a diverse portfolio that offers clean, safe, reliable, sustainable and low-cost electricity for years to come.”

Georgia Power will begin receiving the wind power on January 1, 2016. This agreement is expected to deliver cost savings to Georgia Power customers over the life of the contract and is the latest step in Georgia Power’s ongoing effort to procure renewable energy in the most cost-effective manner for customers.

Even the Greenies liked it:

“We applaud Georgia Power’s move in the right direction. Adding wind power not only allows for more consumer choice, a more diversified energy portfolio and thus keeps rates stable over the long term, but helps clean up our air.  What’s more, wind power uses no water, so this helps make sure we have enough water supply for our farmers.  We look forward to working with Georgia Power to bring even more clean, stable wind power to our state,” said Ashten Bailey, staff attorney for GreenLaw.

“Georgia Power has taken a strong step forward on twenty-first century clean energy solutions,” added Colleen Kiernan, director of the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club. “While there is always room for improvement, it is important to acknowledge Georgia Power’s smart decision. We hope they will follow in the footsteps of their sister company, Alabama Power, by doubling this wind power purchase agreement in the near term. Importing wind power is affordable and promotes clean air for Georgians: it’s a win-win.”

I think that voluntary measures by utilities, whether they be investor-owned or municipal or EMCs, to diversify their power generation portfolio is a good thing. I object to legislation that creates monopoly sellers of renewable energy or create renewable energy standards or mandates.

Here’s my objection to government-mandated levels of renewable energy: the Georgia General Assembly doesn’t contain any experts on managing a complex electric grid to ensure that Georgia doesn’t suffer from blackouts as we’ve seen in states and countries with renewable energy mandates, and the process by which they pass complex legislation is suspect at best.

From the massive failure of the T-SPLOST to the kerfluffle earlier this year when the General Assembly had to “fix” a problem with double taxation of leased vehicles under the Car Tag Title Tax, it’s clear that the Law of Unintended Consequences governs in Georgia. One of Georgia’s greatest economic development tools is our inexpensive and reliable system for delivering electricity. Why would we mess with that without expert guidance?

Events Calendar

Today, April 23, 2013

10 AM Congressman Tom Graves: Paulding County Connection Day – Administrative Complex, 240 Constitution Blvd, Dallas, GA, 30132

10 AM Congressman Tom Graves: Pickens County Connection Day – Talking Rock Town Hall, 4675 Highway 136 W. , Talking Rock , GA, 30175

2 PM Congressman Tom Graves: Gordon County Connection Day – Chamber of Commerce, 300 South Wall Street , Calhoun, GA, 30701

April 24, 2013

7 PM Atlanta Young Republicans: Meeting With Freshmen Legislators – Five Seasons Brewing – Westside, 1000 Marietta Street,Atlanta, GA, 30318

The Atlanta Young Republicans are honored to host several new legislators for our Wednesday, April 24, meeting.  Our panel will include Sen. Hunter Hill (an AYR member) and Rep. John Pezold.  They will talk about their experience as first-time legislators in the General Assembly.

April 25, 2013

10 AM Congressman Jack Kingston: West Chatham Congressional Office Day – Pooler City Hall, 100 SW Highway 80, Pooler, GA, 31322

6 PM  Fulton GOP: Spring Reception “An Evening with Dr. Ben Carson.” – Westin Buckhead, 3391 Peachtree Road NE , Atlanta , GA, 30326

The Fulton County Republican Party will be hosting Dr. Ben Carson as their keynote speaker at its first annual Spring Reception dubbed “An Evening with Dr. Ben Carson.” On Thursday, April 25, 2013, at the Westin Buckhead.

Timeline: 6:00pm – Sponsor Reception & Private Audience with Dr. Carson, 7:30pm – Seated Dinner,  8:15pm –  Remarks by Dr. Carson.

Tickets: www.FultonGOP.org or at their Facebook page

7 PM Chatham County GOP: Past Chairmen’s Reception – Chatham County GOP HQ, 11 East 73rd Street,Savannah, GA,31405

Chatham County Republican Party Chairman Lis Overton along with Howard Young cordially invite you to the “Past Chairmen’s Reception” to honor all of the Chatham County Republican Party’s past chairmen.

This event will also celebrate all party activists past work and leadership! We truly appreciate everyone’s support.

Please bring an appetizer to share. Coffee & soft drinks will be provided.

RSVP: 912-927-8440 or news@chathamgop.com

April 26-27, 2013 Georgia Association of College Republicans State Convention – Holiday Inn – Atlanta Capitol, 450 Capitol Avenue,Atlanta, GA, 30312

The annual GACR State Convention will be taking place the last weekend in April! Once again, the convention will take place at the Holiday Inn Capitol Conference Center and the Georgia State Capitol Building.

To attend one or both of the GACR banquets below, click on the event details and buy your tickets online today.

Friday, April 26th at 7:00PM: Dinner Banquet with  Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson
Saturday, April 26th at 12:00PM: Lunch Banquet featuring Congressmen Tom Price and Doug Collins

April 27, 2013

6 PM Georgia Republican Assembly Debate for Candidates for Georgia Republican Party Chairman – Shorty Howell Park Community Center, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road , Duluth, GA,30096

7 PM Georgia Council for International Visitors: International Consular Ball, World of Coca-Cola, 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, 30313

8 PM Forsyth GOP Meeting: BJ Van Gundy and Alex Johnson, Golden Corral, 2025 Market Place, Cumming, GA,30041

April 28, 2013 

8 PM Consulate General of Israel: Celebrate Israel’s 65th Birthday – The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Street NE,, Atlanta, GA, 30309

Join the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast as we celebrate Israel’s 65th Birthday with a special concert event featuring internationally acclaimed singer David D’Or!

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Alternative.

April 29, 2013

7:30 AM Georgia Republican Foundation Breakfast with Senator Johnny Isakson – The Georgian Club, 100 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30339

Porsche Plugs-In

Porsche introduced its new plug-in hybrid 2014 Panamera at the Shanghai Auto Show, and hopefully it’ll be coming to Atlanta via Georgia-based Porsche Cars North America soon. Between this and the wind-power announcement, you could be driving a wind-powered Porsche sometime in 2016.