|
Tim Echols, Vice-chairman
Commissioner Since: January 1, 2011
Year Elected: 2010; re-elected 2016
Serves Through: December 31, 2022
Republican, Hoschton
Bio
My Views On...
Links
Videos
A younger Tim Echols was selected by the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club as "Student of the Year" from his high school in 1978. While at the luncheon, he met Truett Cathy, a member of the Atlanta Airport Rotary Club. After the meeting, Truett invited Tim to come by his Hapeville office and there gave him a set of motivational tapes and a challenge. Echols said the tapes changed his life and as a result of listening to Zig Ziglar and his teaching, Tim set a goal to be a statewide elected official. Shortly after graduating from UGA, Tim and his wife Windy founded TeenPact, a training experience for conservative high school students. The program began at the Georgia Capitol and now operates in 42 states having training 50,000 students. After building TeenPact, Echols ran for and was elected to statewide office in 2010 serving as Public Service Commissioner. The PSC's primary job is energy regulation. When he took office, Georgia was 34th in solar power. Now, 8 years later the state is 10th in the nation in approved solar. Echols created the Clean Energy Roadshow that has traveled the state every summer for the last eight years. This educational event travels to cities around the state helping commuters, businesses and municipal governments evaluate alternative fuel for their transportation and residential use. Tim 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 now owns an electric car. Tim 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. Tim created a pilot program to provide specially equipped IPADS to the hearing impaired to help them function more productively. That programs continues today as well. Most recently, Tim led the PSC to increase the number of pediatric hearing aids in a program the PSC oversees. Tim wants to keep rates low and he works hard with his colleagues to make sure Georgia has the energy it needs from diverse sources, including nuclear power. Tim 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. He has represented the United States at the World Nuclear Exhibition for the last six years. Tim also has been at the forefront in fighting human sex trafficking. He created the "Unholy Tour" that helps policy makers see first-hand the harms of human trafficking. Tim and his wife, Windy, have been married 35 years and they have seven children. He has 3 degrees from the University of Georgia and lives in Jefferson, Georgia.
February 15, 2019 | Coastal Management Program: Brown Bag Presentation with Commissioner Echols | January 28, 2019 | Commissioner Echols to Hold Press Conference on Update on Human Trafficking Efforts during Super Bowl LIII | November 5, 2018 | WJBF-TV, Augusta, Plant Vogtle Jobs | October 11, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Give Remarks at S.T.E.M. Forum and Panel Discussion at Savannah State University on October 15 | August 23, 2018 | Brunswick News: State Officials Promote Environmental Awareness, Coastal Issues | August 22, 2018 | WALB-TV, Albany, Georgia: Georgia Power Testing Solar Energy | August 6, 2018 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Viewpoint with Commissioner Tim Echols: For Third Year, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols ready for Dragon Con | July 31, 2018 | WRBL-TV, Columbus, Human Trafficking on the Rise in Georgia | July 23, 2018 | CLEAN ENERGY ROADSHOW TO VISIT DOWNTOWN ATLANTA ON JULY 24, 2018 | July 10, 2018 | Clean Energy Roadshow to Visit Gwinnett on July 17, 2018 | July 10, 2018 | Washington Times: COMMISSIONER ECHOLS HOPES THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP TALKS ABOUT SAVANNAH RIVER SITE PLUTONIUM | June 6, 2018 | WTVM-TV, Columbus, Roadshow Highlighting Clean Energy Comes to Columbus | June 6, 2018 | WRBL-TV, Columbus, Clean Energy Roadshow Highlights Alternative Fuels and Energy Sources | June 5, 2018 | WTOC-TV, Savannah, Clean Energy Roadshow Tour Makes Stop in Columbus | June 1, 2018 | WTVM-TV, Columbus, Unholy Tour, June 1, 2018 | May 31, 2018 | WRBL-TV, Columbus, Unholy Tour, May 31, 2018 | May 25, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Host “Unholy Tour” in Columbus on May 31, 2018 | May 18, 2018 | Technology Authority of Georgia Joins Clean Energy Roadshow for 2018 Tour Dates | May 15, 2018 | Atlanta Journal Constitution Opinion: EPA’s Pruitt helping set the world right again | February 23, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Address the American Nuclear Society in Augusta on Monday February 26, 2018 | February 22, 2018 | Commissioner Tim Echols Receives Trailblazer Award at Advanced Reactors V & Showcase at Texas A&M | February 15, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Host “Unholy Tour” in Columbus Informational Breakfast Set for Monday February 19, 2018 | January 25, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Host “Unholy Tour” on January 29, 2018 | January 11, 2018 | Commissioner Echols to Host Community Clean Up and Educational Rally on Electric Vehicles to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday | January 2, 2018 | Columbia County News Times: Letter: Let's help move Georgia toward a clean future | December 23, 2017 | Atlanta Journal Constitution Guest Column: Finishing Plant Vogtle is best path for Georgia | December 22, 2017 | Savannah Morning News Editorial : PSC Looks to the Future with Plant Vogtle Vote | December 21, 2017 | Commissioner Echols motion on Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report 17 | December 21, 2017 | Op-Ed: Pressing Forward with Nuclear Energy | December 21, 2017 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Viewpoint with Commissioner Eaton: Georgia is Pressing Forward with Nuclear Energy, Plant Vogtle Expansion | December 18, 2017 | Augusta Chronicle : Editorial : A nuclear kick in the "gut" | October 23, 2017 | Commissioner Tim Echols to Host Community Empowerment Workshop in October 31, 2017 in Columbus, Georgia | October 23, 2017 | Commissioner Tim Echols to Host Community Empowerment Workshop in November 1, 2017 in Macon, Georgia | October 23, 2017 | Commissioner Tim Echols and State Representative Carl Gilliard to Host Community Empowerment Workshop in November 2, 2017 in Savannah, Georgia | September 4, 2017 | Public Utilities Fortnightly: Why Nuclear Energy is a Matter of National Security | August 28, 2017 | Commissioner Echols to Host Clean Energy Roadshow and Seminar September 19, 2017 in Macon, Georgia | August 18, 2017 | Commissioner Tim Echols Calls for Continued Construction of Plant Vogtle Nuclear Units in Wall Street Journal Op-Ed | July 28, 2017 | Media Advisory: Commissioner Tim Echols and State Representative Spencer Frye to Host the Athens Sustainability Summit and Clean Energy Roadshow August 3, 2017 in Athens, Georgia | June 22, 2017 | Media Advisory : Clean Energy Roadshow Vehicle Showcase at Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, June 27, 2017 | June 9, 2017 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Why Exiting the Paris Accord Makes Sense | June 8, 2017 | Echols to Address “Drive Across America” Natural Gas Vehicle Road Rally in DeKalb County on June 12, 2017 | May 23, 2017 | News Release : Commissioner Tim Echols Featured Speaker at Western Conference of Utility Regulators | May 11, 2017 | Macon Telegraph : Plan in the Works for one of Georgia's Largest Solar Farms Near Robins | April 21, 2017 | News Release : Commissioner Tim Echols Appointed as Vice-chair of Nuclear Waste Disposal Committee of National Utility Regulators Association | April 7, 2017 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Energiewende, frackng and lower rates | April 6, 2017 | Brunswick News: Wind Energy Could Come to the Isles | March 16, 2017 | Media Advisory : COMMISSIONER ECHOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN SAVANNAH ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVITIES | March 8, 2017 | Media Advisory : Echols to Host Dedication of Bulldog Movers 50 kW Rooftop Solar Installation | March 3, 2017 | Henry Herald: NASCAR Does It Again | March 1, 2017 | Savannah Morning News :Tim Echols: Casino gambling a bad bet for Georgia | January 19, 2017 | Electricpolicy.com: Closing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle- the Ultimate in Recycling | January 19, 2017 | Atlanta Journal Constitution Watchdog: Atlanta Sex Trafficking Tour Reveals the 'Hell of It' | January 10, 2017 | Echols to Host “Unholy Tour” January 17, 2017 | December 17, 2016 | Athens Banner Herald : Echols’ brings passion for renewable energy to the Georgia Public Service Commission | December 3, 2016 | Gainesville Times: Guest Column: PSC works to keep rates low, energy flowing | December 2, 2016 | Gilmer County, Fetch Your News: Gilmer Opens New EV Charging Station with Georgia Power | September 20, 2016 | WJCL-TV Savannah "Unholy Tour held in Savannah" | September 20, 2016 | WTGS-TV Savannah, Unholy Tour | August 12, 2016 | WSAV-TV, Savannah, Tim Echols to host human trafficking awareness tour | August 4, 2016 | Atlanta Business Chronicle : Viewpoint: Wood pellet demand in U.K. holds promise for Georgia's forest industry | August 3, 2016 | Commissioner Echols on WABE-FM, "Closer Look" | August 1, 2016 | Commissioner Echols takes part in ribbon cutting at Buford facility to convert Methane Gas into Electricity | June 23, 2016 | WJCL-TV, Savannah, Clean Road Show | June 21, 2016 | WFXL-TV, Clean Energy Roadshow | June 21, 2016 | WALB-TV, Albany, Clean Energy Roadshow | May 19, 2016 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Viewpoint: Why the Public Service Commission Matters | May 9, 2016 | Commissioner Echols will host 6th Annual Clean Energy Roadshow | April 14, 2016 | Fayette Citizen: Merger Approved, Rates Frozen | April 13, 2016 | WTOC-TV, Savannah, April 7, 2016, Meeting on Renewable Energy in Savannah | April 6, 2016 | WGCLTV coverage of the Unholy Tour on March 2, 2016 | March 2, 2016 | WGCL-TV Atlanta: Sex trafficking tour | March 2, 2016 | WSB TV Atlanta : Lawmakers take "unholy tour" through city's prostituion hot spots | February 18, 2016 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Viewpoint: How Justice Antonin Scalia's death could impact Georgia | January 13, 2016 | Georgia Public Broadcasting: Electric Vehicle Sales in Georgia Drop | January 6, 2016 | News: Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols Addresses Central High School’s Student Leaders | December 16, 2015 | Online Athens: Solar Power Project Will Benefit UGA and Georgia Power | November 1, 2015 | Public Utilities Fortnightly : Georgia: On Becoming a Social Media Junkie | September 3, 2015 | Spark: Public Utilities Fortnightly: The Mean Power Plan | August 12, 2015 | Atlanta Journal Constitution: Guest Column:EPA Grants Higher Energy Costs, Burdens | August 12, 2015 | Atlanta Journal Constitution: A Rooftop Revolution? | August 5, 2015 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Viewpoint: EPA's 'Clean Power Plan' is a mistake | June 27, 2015 | Business in Savannah News: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow Rolls into City | June 26, 2015 | Valdosta Daily Times: Alternative Fuels Highlighted at VSU | June 25, 2015 | Brunswick News: Public Service Commissioner Pushes for Alternative Fuel Vehicles | June 22, 2015 | Valdosta Times: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow coming to Valdosta | June 22, 2015 | Decaturish.com: Alternative Fuel Roadshow rolling into Decatur | June 17, 2015 | Albany Herald: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow Stops in Albany | June 14, 2015 | Albany Herald: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow coming to Albany | June 12, 2015 | Cartersville Daily Tribune News: Tellus Event to Showcase Alternative Fuel | June 9, 2015 | Gainesville Times: "Alt-Fuel vehicles roadshow goes on in wake of new fee, credit cut | May 4, 2015 | Commissioner Echols to Host 5th Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow | April 3, 2015 | Echols Kicks Off Re-election Campain | March 5, 2015 | Echols to Host “Unholy Tour” March 10, 2015 | March 5, 2015 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Viewpoint: Electric Vehicles and Georgia's Future | February 6, 2015 | Echols shares his experience with electric cars | February 4, 2015 | From the Office of Commissioner Tim Echols: Echols Presents Award for Innovation to Windstream Communications | January 21, 2015 | Echols Hosts “Unholy Tour” to Highlight Human Trafficking in Atlanta | January 13, 2015 | Atlanta Journal Constitution: Keep Georgia's EV Tax Credit in Place | January 2, 2015 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: A New Year's Resolution on Recycling | December 10, 2014 | E&E News: Climate Wire: Regulators ask state lawmakers for leeway to comply with EPA's Clean Power Plan | December 2, 2014 | James Magazine: 5 Things You Need to Know About Georgia's Energy | November 29, 2014 | Savannah Morning News: Utility and Regulators Push Back on Carbon Cutting Plan for Georgia | October 21, 2014 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Turning old bombs into carbon-free electricity | October 8, 2014 | Op-Ed: Five Things You Need to Know About Georgia's Energy | September 25, 2014 | Commissioner Tim Echols to Speak in Savannah on September 26, 2014 | September 15, 2014 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: How Truett Cathy Changed a Young Person's Life | September 4, 2014 | Echols Hosts Lunch and Learn Session on Human Trafficking in the Atlanta Metro Area | August 8, 2014 | Atlanta Business Chronicle: Echols: Georgia has a good start using wind energy | July 29, 2014 | Commissioner Echols Remarks at EPA Clean Power Rules Hearing in Atlanta, Georgia on July 29, 2014 | July 21, 2014 | Georgia EMC Magazine: EPA Regulations on the Way | July 8, 2014 | Atlanta Journal Constitution Guest Column: Regulations Could Exceed EPA Authority | June 27, 2014 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Guest Column: EPA Regs Will Hurt Business and Consumers | June 16, 2014 | Athens Banner Herald Editorial: New Carbon Rule is Administrative Overreach | June 16, 2014 | Columbia News Times: Alternative Fueled Vehicles Roadshow Comes to Columbia County | June 4, 2014 | Georgia Power Adding Wind, Boosting Solar | June 2, 2014 | Georgia Trend:Sustainable Georgia: Charging Up | May 29, 2014 | Brunswick News, May 23, 2014: Georgia Power to Buy Wind Energy | May 12, 2014 | Athens Banner Herald : UGA Installs First Public Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger in Athens Area | May 7, 2014 | From the Office of Commissioner Tim Echols: Echols’ Electric Car Gets First Charge at UGA | April 22, 2014 | A Tribute to My Mom | April 14, 2014 | Tifton Gazette, April 11, 2014: Commissioner Echols Visits UGA Tifton Campus | March 18, 2014 | Commission Urges Congress to Act to End Georgia Ratepayers Fees for Nuclear Waste Disposal Site | March 3, 2014 | Opinion: Atlanta Business Chronicle: Wrong Idea Wrong Time (on Electric Vehicle Tax Credit) | February 14, 2014 | 4th Annual Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow Announces Georgia Host Cities for Statewide Tour in June | December 4, 2013 | Op Ed: Holidays are good time to find ways to serve humanity | September 6, 2013 | Op Ed Celebration of Marriage | September 6, 2013 | Savannah Morning News "Savannah Explores Electric Car Future" | July 26, 2013 | Athens Banner Herald Editorial: Nuclear Power Can Be Economic Boon to Southeast | July 18, 2013 | Echols questions Georgia Power on overruns | July 17, 2013 | PSC approves energy plan | July 12, 2013 | Echols explains his vote on solar | July 5, 2013 | Op Ed Athens Banner Herald Germans have interesting model for energy transition | July 1, 2013 | Commissioner Tim Echols Reports on Study of German Energy Policies | June 20, 2013 | Roadshow in Columbus: WTVM-TV | June 20, 2013 | Roadshow in Columbus: WRBL-TV | June 7, 2013 | Echols brings Roadshow to Macon | June 5, 2013 | Roadshow video coverage from Dalton | June 3, 2013 | Echols takes Roadshow to Athens | June 1, 2013 | Echols teams up with McDonald on solar | May 30, 2013 | Echols and Atl Fuel Vehicle Roadshow comes to Athens | May 16, 2013 | Georgia lauded for natural gas deregulation | May 9, 2013 | Echols holds Twitter town hall | April 24, 2013 | NEM to Confer Public Service Leadership and Industry Leadership Awards | April 22, 2013 | Commissioner Echols speaks on Earth Day in Macon about saving money on power bills | March 15, 2013 | Public service commissioner talks Vogtle, rate increases for customers | February 15, 2013 | When $5 is better than free | January 28, 2013 | Akins Ford is going green | January 12, 2013 | Georgia Power shutting plants to meet federal environmental regulations | December 23, 2012 | New Nuclear Plant Hits Some Snags | November 30, 2012 | PSC lowers electric rates | November 2, 2012 | Energy Efficiency saves everyone money | October 26, 2012 | Echols: Time to reassert value of working with hands | October 11, 2012 | Commissioner Echols attends grand opening of largest CNG facility in state | August 1, 2012 | Opinion “What Chicago and Boston May not Know About Chick-Fil-A” | June 12, 2012 | WTOC-TV, Savannah “Cars of the Future Already on the Road” - Part 1 | June 12, 2012 | WTOC-TV, Savannah “Cars of the Future Already on the Road” - Part 2 | June 9, 2012 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Op-Ed “When as Adverb is Worth $3.2 Million” | May 18, 2012 | Athens Banner Herald Op-Ed “No one is above the law” | May 11, 2012 | Guest Column “No One Is Above the Law” | May 8, 2012 | Photos of Commissioner Echols for download: Photo 2 | May 8, 2012 | Photos of Commissioner Echols for download: Photo 3 | May 8, 2012 | Photos of Commissioner Echols for download: Photo 1 | April 26, 2012 | Atlanta Business Chronicle editorial ”Finally Some Good News on the Energe Front“ | April 11, 2012 | Editorial “One Is the Loneliest Number‘ | March 13, 2012 | WTOC-TV, Savannah “Truman Parkway Construction Halted After Gas Line Rupture” | March 13, 2012 | WSAV-TV, Savannah “State, Local Officials Investigate Cause of White Bluff Road Gas Leaks” | February 6, 2012 | Op-Ed “Echols Seeks Reforms for Nuclear Waste management” | December 26, 2011 | Op-Ed Athens Banner Herald: Solar Energy Subsidy Raises Questions | November 4, 2011 | Atlanta Business Chronicle Op-Ed "Coal, Jobs and Your Electric Bill" | August 31, 2011 | Commissioner Tim Echols Releases Synopsis of Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Symposium | July 29, 2011 | Atlanta Journal Constitution guest editorial: “Solar Power Wins a Convert” | July 8, 2011 | Op-Ed Atlanta Business Chronicle “Solar Power Means Jobs, Development” | July 7, 2011 | (Audio) Debate in the House of Representatives, February 12, 1991 on House Bill 280, the Integrated Resources Plan. The measure passed 148-25 | July 7, 2011 | (Text Description of Audio File) Debate in the House of Representatives, February 12, 1991 on House Bill 280, the Integrated Resources Plan. The measure passed 148-25 | June 30, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Announces All Aboard the Solar Express on July 29, 2011 | June 21, 2011 | Op-Ed, Athens Banner Herald: “All Aboard the Solar Express” | June 13, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Requests Commission Probe of Georgia Charter Bus Company Grounded by Feds | June 10, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Holds Summit with Georgia Charter Bus Companies | June 1, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to Hold Press Event in Brunswick on Solar Energy at Commercial Business | May 20, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to Host East Coweta High School Students for High Energy Leadership Program | May 12, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Hosts Meeting to Promote Macon-Atlanta Passenger Rail | May 3, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Heads to Washington to Discuss Nuclear Waste Management and Disposal Issues | April 4, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to Tour Suniva, Inc. Facility in Norcross, Georgia | March 31, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Speaks in Savannah About Nuclear Waste | March 25, 2011 | Op-ed, Athens Banner Herald: "Get the Feds out of Nuclear Waste Business" | March 11, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Announces Sting on "Rogue" Movers in Georgia | March 10, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to Attend Saint Patrick's Day in Savannah | March 6, 2011 | Echols-Facility Is Impressive - Page 1 | March 6, 2011 | Echols-Facility Is Impressive - Page 2 | March 5, 2011 | PSC Official Visits Cumming Kiwanis - Page 1 | March 5, 2011 | PSC Official Visits Cumming Kiwanis - Page 2 | February 16, 2011 | Commissioner Echols Supports Nuclear Waste Resolution Calls on Federal Government to Proceed with Yucca Mountain | February 9, 2011 | Atlanta Journal Constitution op-ed "Georgia Should Lead South in Vehicles Running on Natural Gas" | February 8, 2011 | WSAV-TV Savannah "Alternative Fuel Cars Stop in Savannah" | February 8, 2011 | Savannah Morning News "Commissioner Echols hopes Discussions Spur Ideas on Alternative Fuel Vehicles" | February 8, 2011 | Athens Banner Herald op-ed "Alternative means non-foreign" | January 21, 2011 | New PSC official becomes alternative fuel commuter | January 20, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to display his personal CNG car at Capitol | January 19, 2011 | Commissioner Echols to Announce Low Income Assistance Program for Natural Gas Customers | January 19, 2011 | "Why Compressed Natural Gas Is Right for Georgia" Athens Banner Herald |
By Katherine Shepherd
Story Published: Oct 22, 2015
(Story Updated: Oct 22, 2015 )
With the changing season comes other changes. You change your clothes from cooler to warmer and your thermostat from air conditioning to heat.
WGXA sat down with Commissioner Tim Echols of the Public Service Commission, the agency that regulates utilities in Georgia.
|