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\nDo you know the mission and authority of these public officials that you elect to serve our state? \;
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\nYour Georgia Public Service Commission advocates for all citizens to ensure they are provided with telecommunications\, electric\, and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies. \; Learn what services the PSC does and does not have jurisdiction over. \;
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\nThis is your opportunity to ask questions directly to your elected official about these services and also what'\;s happening to move our state forward on a variety of efforts towards sustainable energy and possible incentives for your business to participate in. \; \;
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\nCome hear from \;Georgia Public Services Commissioner Tim Echols \;on Friday\, June 3rd. \;
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\nAs a senior in high school in 1978\, the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club selected Tim Echols as "\;Student of the Year."\; \;While at the luncheon\, he met Truett Cathy\, a member of the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club. \; Truett invited Tim to his Hapeville office where he gave Tim a challenge that set him forever on a pathway to civic leadership and involvement.
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\nAfter building a national non-profit organization\, Tim ran for and was elected to statewide office in 2010 serving as Public Service Commissioner. His primary job is energy regulation.
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\nWhen Tim took office\, Georgia was 34th in solar power. \; Now\, eleven years later the state is 4th in the nation in approved solar. Tim'\;s commitment to promoting clean energy has resulted not only in millions of solar panels being installed but an increase in electric vehicles with Georgia now ranking fourth in the nation in electric vehicles.
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\nTim created the Clean Energy Roadshow that has traveled the state every summer for the last ten years. This educational event travels to cities helping commuters\, businesses and municipal governments evaluate alternative fuel for their transportation and residential use.
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\nTim also led the effort to provide the Salvation Army and two other agencies with $5 million to help low income seniors in Atlanta with heating assistance. \; That program continues today.
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\nTim has tried to lead by example. He added solar hot water heating to his Athens home just before being sworn-in. He bought a natural gas car\, a propane van and owns two electric cars. Tim has supported and approved new carbon-free nuclear energy sources for Georgia that will provide baseload power for generations. He also supports recycling the nuclear waste and using the remaining energy resident in those fuel rods as the most sustainable course of action for the state and nation. \; Tim represented the United States at the World Nuclear Exhibition for the last seven years.
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\nWhen Tim is not managing Georgia'\;s energy portfolio\, Tim also has been at the forefront in fighting sex trafficking and advocating for the youngest of Georgia?s citizens. \; He created the "\;UnHoly Tour"\; which helps policy makers see first-hand the harms of sex trafficking. The tour is credited with rescuing two children in Atlanta.
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\nTim\, who earned a Master'\;s degree in Non-Profit Organizations\, considers the charities in our state a great resource. \; Tim founded TeenPact and grew the mock legislative youth program for teens to 38 states in his tenure. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors\, and TeenPact is now in all 50 states.
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\nTim and his wife\, Windy\, have been married 38 years and they have seven children and now live in Hoschton\, Georgia.
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