Chuck Eaton
Chuck Eaton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Georgia Public Service Commission for the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 2007 | |
| Preceded by | David Burgess |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles M. Eaton Jr. April 1, 1969 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Erika Eaton |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama Georgia State University |
| Website | Campaign website Government website |
Chuck Eaton is an American politician currently serving on the Georgia Public Service Commission.[1] He was first elected to the PSC in 2006 and was re-elected to his third term in December of 2018.[2][3][4] He is a member of the Republican Party.[5][6][7] He resides in Public Service Commission District 3, a metro Atlanta district, and is elected by, and represents, the entire State of Georgia.[8] He is one of five members on the Commission.[9]
Early life, education and family
Eaton was raised in Kildeer, a rural village in Northwest Illinois. He is a 1987 graduate of Lake Zurich High School.[10] Chuck Eaton attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in Accounting.
In 1992, he served as Congressman Phil Crane's Deputy Campaign Manager.[11][12]
From 1992-1999, he lived in LaGrange, GA and was an Account Executive for Shorewood Packaging.[13][14]
Starting in 2007, Eaton attended night classes at Georgia State University College of Law and graduated in 2012. He is admitted to practice law in Georgia.[15][16]
Chuck Eaton is married to Erika Eaton and they have two children.[17][18]
Public Service Commission
Chuck Eaton was first elected to the PSC in 2006, defeating Democratic incumbent David Burgess.[19]
Eaton was the first elected Chairman of the Public Service Commission in more than 25 years.[20][21]
During his tenure on the PSC, Eaton has been a strong proponent of fuel diversity. Advocating for solar, nuclear, coal, wind and natural gas, as a means of protecting Georgia electricity against future risk. He has likened it to a diversified stock portfolio. [22]
Plant Vogtle
In March 2009, the PSC approved the construction of two additional reactors (3 & 4) at the Plant Vogtle site in Burke County, GA.[23] Commissioner Eaton voted with the majority and has continued to be a proponent of the additional nuclear reactors.[24][25] In a 2017 Op-Ed, written with Commissioner Tim Echols, they made the case for nuclear, mainly because of Russia and China's nuclear expansion, retirements of coal plants due to carbon restrictions, and a diversified, reliable generation portfolio.[26] The project has been controversial due to its delays, contractor bankruptcy and subsequent budget increases. The new units at Plant Vogtle have many detractors, with consumer advocates frustrated by the cost overruns and environmental groups wanting more renewable energy, like solar.[27][28] The original budget for the project was $14 billion with a completion date in 2017.[29] The current budget, as of 2018, is $27 billion with an estimated completion date of 2022.[30]
Renewable Energy
Eaton has been a supporter of renewable energy when it makes economic sense. He stated he was "equally proud that we have done so without putting upward pressure on consumer rates by avoiding mandates and encouraging robust competition among providers."[31] He has voted to increase wind and solar in Georgia, helping to make it one of the top 10 fastest growing solar states.[32]
During the 2019 IRP Hearing, costumed protestors interrupted the proceeding. One protestor was wearing a hooded, black robe. The protestors shouted for "clean energy now" and demanded more action on climate change. Commissioner Eaton lost his patience and said, "There’s a thousand megawatts of solar in it, you idiots." The protestors were eventually ushered out of the Hearing by police. Later, Eaton said he regretted engaging with them. [33]
He personally drives an electric car.[34]
Campaigns
In all three of Chuck Eaton's Public Service Commission elections, he has been outspent by his General Election opponents.[35]
During the 2018 election, Eaton received the backing of major Labor and Business groups.[36] He was the only Georgia Republican, running for State or Federal office, to receive the endorsement of the AFL-CIO.[37] Eaton's main campaign focus was continuing job growth and the Plant Vogtle nuclear project.[38]
The 2018 Georgia Elections had millions of dollars of independent expenditures spent in various races and the PSC Elections were no exception.[39] In the PSC General Election, there was $35,000 spent on negative advertising against Republicans Chuck Eaton and Tricia Pridemore.[40] While in the Runoff Election, there was $1 million spent, by an outside group, Georgians for a Brighter Future, with ties to the nuclear industry, promoting Eaton.[41]
During the 2018 Runoff Election, Eaton received the endorsement of the Augusta Chronicle.[42]. He was reelected, during the 2018 Runoff, for another 6 year term.[43]
Electoral history
Public Service Commissioner General Election Results| Year | Election | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Libertarian | Votes | Pct | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | General | Chuck Eaton | 941,748 | 46.3% | David Burgess | 994,619 | 48.8% | Paul MacGregor | 99,747 | 4.9% | ||||
| 2012 | General | Chuck Eaton | 1,858,663 | 52.1% | Stephen Oppenheimer | 1,537,923 | 43.1% | Brad Ploeger | 171,138 | 4.8% | ||||
| 2018 | General | Chuck Eaton | 1,917,656 | 49.7% | Lindy Miller | 1,838,020 | 47.6% | Ryan Graham | 102,878 | 2.7% |
| Year | Election | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | General | Chuck Eaton | 112,232 | 52.2% | David Burgess | 102,860 | 47.8% | |||
| 2018 | General | Chuck Eaton | 758,553 | 51.7% | Lindy Miller | 707,267 | 48.3% |
References
- ↑ "Georgia (U.S. state) elected officials", Wikipedia, 2018-12-26, retrieved 2018-12-26
- ↑ Anastaciah Ondieki, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Miller concedes, Eaton returns to public service commission". ajc. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ [email protected], scytl. "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commission". www.psc.state.ga.us. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "GAGOP: Bio First and Last Name, Title". GAGOP. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "Georgia Republican Party", Wikipedia, 2018-12-19, retrieved 2018-12-26
- ↑ "Meet Chuck". Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "View source for Georgia Public Service Commission", Wikipedia, retrieved 2018-12-27
- ↑ "View source for Georgia Public Service Commission", Wikipedia, retrieved 2018-12-27
- ↑ "Chuck Eaton". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Meet Chuck". Retrieved 2018-12-27.
- ↑ Watson, Nick (Oct 29, 2012). "Public Service Commissioner Eaton has 'heart of a bulldog'". The Red and Black.
- ↑ Eaton, Chuck (2008-05-01). "Eaton: Drop energy tax to make Georgia competitive". Georgia Trend Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commission". www.psc.state.ga.us. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ↑ "Member Directory Search". www.gabar.org. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commission". www.psc.state.ga.us. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Meet Chuck". Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commission". www.psc.state.ga.us. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Republicans win another Georgia race, make PSC unanimous". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commissioners Select Chuck Eaton as PSC Chairman for 2013 and 2014". Georgia Public Service Commission. November 20, 2012. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Georgia Public Service Commission". www.psc.state.ga.us. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
- ↑ "Chuck Eaton: Power Source". Georgia Trend Magazine. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "Georgia PSC Greenlights Georgia Power's $14 Billion Plan For Two New Vogtle Reactors - News - Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Street - Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers". nuclearstreet.com. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ↑ "6 Questions for Georgia's Public Service Commissioner Candidates: District 3: Chuck Eaton (R)". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ Cline, Damon. "PSC incumbent Eaton stands by Vogtle". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ↑ Echols, Tim, Eaton, Chuck (Dec 21, 2017). "Viewpoint: Georgia is pressing forward with nuclear energy, Plant Vogtle expansion". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
- ↑ "NUCLEAR WATCH SOUTH". www.nonukesyall.org. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ↑ "Georgia's Nuclear Financial Crisis Worsens - Additional Billions in Cost Overruns at Plant Vogtle". SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ↑ "A concise history of GA Power's Plant Vogtle project". WXIA. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ↑ Anastaciah Ondieki, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "PSC staff concerned more project delays ahead for Vogtle nuclear plant". ajc. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ↑ "6 Questions for Georgia's Public Service Commissioner Candidates: District 3: Chuck Eaton (R)". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "Georgia 3rd fastest-growing solar power producer in the U.S." www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "Protesters Interrupt Georgia Power Energy Plan Hearings". 90.1 FM WABE. 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "6 Questions for Georgia's Public Service Commissioner Candidates: District 3: Chuck Eaton (R)". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
- ↑ "Campaign Reports Search | Georgia Government Campaign Finance Commission of Georgia". media.ethics.ga.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
- ↑ McCord, Susan. "Eaton secures backing of both business and labor for Public Service Commission seat". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ "The Georgia State AFL-CIO's 2018 Endorsed Candidates". Georgia AFL-CIO. 2018-08-30. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ "These candidates will control how elections are run, how much you pay for electricity". macon. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ Bluestein, Greg. "Ethics complaint targets Georgia tea party leader". ajc. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ Salzer, James; Anastaciah Ondieki, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Pro-nuclear power group pumps $750,000 into Georgia PSC runoff". ajc. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ Echols, Tim, Eaton, Chuck (Dec 21, 2017). "Viewpoint: Georgia is pressing forward with nuclear energy, Plant Vogtle expansion". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
- ↑ Staff, Augusta Chronicle Editorial. "Editorial: Vote right in the runoffs". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
- ↑ "Republican Chuck Eaton re-elected in runoff to Georgia PSC". AP NEWS. 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
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