Annotated responses about energy costs.
Incumbent State Senator John Albers (left) and challenger JD Jordan (right) exchanging responses about energy costs at the recent candidate forum. Photos and videos shot and shared by a Cherokee resident in audience, stabilized and annotated by JD Jordan.
On April 25, the Farm Bureau & the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum at Canton’s historic courthouse. Incumbents and challengers from a variety of races had a chance to introduce themselves to voters and to debate a variety of audience-suggested topics.
Fortunately for the 56, both our incumbent, John Albers, and I were in attendance. And doubly so that someone in the audience captured the full exchange on their phone!
Over the course of the next two weeks, I’ll share the exchanges from this forum, covering:
In addition to simply sharing these videos, I’ve spent time fact-checking each of our statements and unscripted responses. I’ve performed this critique for two reasons:
Honesty and transparency are cornerstones of a healthy constituent experience and critical to establishing and maintaining trust between members of the public and their elected officials (candidates, too!)
To show I’m open to being fact checked, interested in feedback where I might be further informed, and open to the conversations such critiques may inspire.
If you see an errors in my critique or if you know of a data point I haven’t found, please reach out at me at jdjordan@forthe56.com and I’ll do my best to follow-up and—if necessary—make and note any corrections.
Annotated videos
On energy costs.
Each candidate was given 1:30 to answer an audience question asking how they would reel in energy costs for Georgia families. Responses were made in alternative order, with John Albers answering first and JD Jordan answering second.
Annotated transcript
John Albers: On energy costs.
Well, I've got good news. We actually pay one of the lowest energy costs in the United States for electricity.
I've got bad news.
While we’re not among the most expensive states, we’re also not among the most affordable. Looking at a few different sources, Georgia’s energy-affordability rankings range from mid (#26 as US News & World Report) to good (#16 at Marketwatch) but sadly, nowhere among the lowest. North Dakota, Idaho, and Louisiana are consistently ranked the most affordable states for energy.
So, those who’d like that information I’m happy to provide that to you.
Please do.
jdjordan@forthe56.com
We were the first state in over 30 years to put in two new nuclear reactors for power from Georgia Power,
True.
Georgia's Plant Vogtle’s new nuclear reactors—Units 3 and 4—are the first new commercial reactors built from scratch in the US in over three decades. Unit 3 began commercial operations in July 2023, and Unit 4 is set to start commercial operations this June (WSB). The expansion project was projected to cost $14 billion but ultimately soared to $35 billion, a cost passed on to Georgia Power customers through rate hikes (AJC).
which feeds all of our EMCs, which are covering most of Cherokee County. But power is something that is very important. That is why we are looking at how data centers are coming here and using a lot of our power.
True.
Data center power consumption is relatively high—and expected to double by 2030, reaching 35 GW. This rise is primarily driven by the growing demand for AI and machine learning capabilities that require significantly more energy. An AI-ready racks needs 40-60 kW compared to the 10-14 kW for current data racks (Newmark).
As we move forward in the future, we do not want to be forced by the federal government to automatically go to electric power vehicles
Misleading.
The federal government isn’t forcing anyone into an electric vehicle (EV). The EPA recently adjusted its EV targets—reducing the 2032 goal from 67% to 35% after pushback from the automotive industry and Michigan auto workers—and adopted a “technology neutral” approach that allows automakers to also use with gas-electric hybrids and advanced gasoline technologies. These revised rules aim to balance environmental goals with economic and political realities in key industrial states (Reuters).
and other solutions and we don't have the grid in place to do that.
I've got good news.
EVs require much less energy to operate than gasoline-burning vehicles. In fact, considering the state’s current electricity blend, an EV requires only about half the energy needed for a gasoline-powered internal-combustion engine (Yale).
But in Georgia, not only do we have some of the lowest power,
Nope.
See above.
we also have some of the best reliability for power anywhere.
Nope.
Like before, we’re not the worst in the nation but we’re definitely not the best. Across a survey of sources, Georgia’s. grid-reliability rankings range from okay (#16 in GeneratorDecisions) to pretty bad (#30 in US News & World Report).
We also have a great combination of natural gas and other resources that we have here that most don't enjoy.
True.
Georgia benefits from a great diversity of energy sources: Natural gas, nuclear, non-hydroelectric renewables, coal, and hydroelectric (in order of their mWh contribution). None of our power comes from petroleum-fired plants. (US Energy Information Administration)
Having a robust set of utilities and natural resources to support both our individuals and our businesses are critical.
And we'll continue to work on that together through, again, our EMCs, Georgia power, and the work that we do together. I do serve as one of the ranking members of the Regulated Industries Committee.
Misleading.
While John Albers is an ex-officio member of the State Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities committee, chaired by Bill Cowsert (R-46), he is not the ranking member of that committee.
We work on those issues on a regular basis. Thank you.
Annotated transcript
JD Jordan: On energy costs.
It certainly does feel like we pay high costs, right?
True.
Georgia's Plant Vogtle’s new nuclear reactors, discussed above, were projected to cost $14 billion but ultimately soared to $35 billion, a cost passed on to Georgia Power customers through rate hikes (AJC).
Especially, as with inflation, as with everything else, it gets harder to pay these bills every month.
True.
In our tight economy, these rate hikes hurt consumers. In particular, low-income households in the US spend nearly 20% of their income on home energy and auto fuel costs, significantly more than the national average (ACEEE).
But I am very encouraged at the efforts made by, at the state level, things like the nuclear power reactors that Mr. Albers was talking about. Things like the battery facility right here in Cherokee County, which I was surprised to learn about recently.
True.
Georgia Power is adding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to its clean energy portfolio in both Talbot and Cherokee counties. BESS creates more flexibility with clean-energy usage from demand fluctuations and adds more capacity to the state’s energy system. It’s pretty cool (AJC).
Many of you probably are aware there is a facility here in Cherokee County that does not produce batteries but is in fact a battery such that if the the grid goes down for any reason, it can keep the northern part of the state online for two hours.
Uncertain.
I learned about this battery facility at a Georgia Power meeting a few months back. And while Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can help prevent blackouts and other disruptions, their primary purpose is to offer fast and reliable response times to grid fluctuations, ensuring a more reliable and secure power supply (ENGIE).
And that's according to some of the really fascinating work being done by Southern Company and Georgia Power to diversify the power infrastructure here in the state, which both makes sense from a cost perspective but also makes sense from a stability perspective.
True.
Investing in a diverse power grid offers significant returns on investment (ROI) by enhancing the system's overall energy return on investment (EROI), providing a more resilient infrastructure, and supporting our inevitable transition to net-zero emissions (Nature).
Yes, it's great that we have these new nuclear reactors.
True.
Nuclear power can be controversial, but these reactors will generate enough electricity to power one million homes with a substantial amount of carbon-free energy. This makes Plant Vogtle the largest generator of carbon-free electricity in the US! (WSB).
Yes, it's great that we have our legacy power. Yes, it's great that we have new green power coming in as well.
True.
Georgia Power plans to bring online more renewable energy and batter storage facilities in 2026 and 2027 (Georgia Recorder).
We need all of these things to keep costs affordable and to keep our grid stable so that we can continue to grow it.
JD JORDAN FOR GEORGIA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 56
For anyone in East Cobb, Roswell, or Woodstock alarmed by the state’s escalating attacks on our bodies, our families, our doctors’ offices, our classrooms and libraries, even our polling places, I’m running for state senate district 56 to fight for our freedoms and to deliver a better future for everyone in Georgia.
And unlike my opponent who’s spent 14 years rolling back our freedoms, failing to safeguard our kids, and gerrymandered his district to stay in office, I promise to bring everyone in the 56—regardless of ideology—the best possible constituent experience so you feel heard, valued, and supported. As we all deserve to be.
I’m running for the 56. Let’s make a better Georgia for all of us.
—
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Jordan For Georgia, LLC
10800 Alpharetta Hwy Ste 208 #629
Roswell, GA 30076-1467
jdjordan@forthe56.com
706.804.0456
