Stan Wise, the chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission, said Tuesday in a note to Gov. Nathan Deal that he will step down on Feb. 20.
The Cobb County resident had previously announced he won't be seeking re-election in 2018 after serving 23 years on the commission. Deal is widely expected to tap Tricia Pridemore, a Republican who has already announced plans to run for his seat, to fill his remaining term.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of this great state,” he wrote.
Wise, who has served four six-year terms, would have had to qualify in March for the seat.
Two Democrats have already announced challenges to Chuck Eaton, the only other incumbent on the five-member PSC whose term expires in 2018: Former state Rep. John Noel and energy consultant Lindy Miller.
Democrats hope to gain a foothold in the PSC, which regulates Georgia's utilities, by highlighting the panel's unanimous vote to allow construction to continue on two nuclear reactors at Georgia Power's embattled Plant Vogtle despite billions of dollars in cost overruns.
The supporters of the extension, including Wise, argued that the decision came down to the state’s need for more diversity in energy sources and the long-term economic development benefits.
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