Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026
Good morning! In the news today: An incumbent on the Public Service Commission isn’t running for re-election; the PSC considers a petition to reconsider a massive natural gas expansion; and the National Park Service proposes changes on Cumberland Island.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
ELECTIONS:NEWS
Incumbent bows out of PSC race
Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore announced Tuesday she will not seek re-election in 2026. Pridemore, a Republican who has served on the utility-regulating board since 2018, is considering a run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, as The Current GA’s Mary Landers reports. When Pridemore spoke to a Coastal Georgia Republican group last week, she avoided election talk. Instead, she drew applause when she dismissed concerns among young women about climate change.
“They should be going out, enjoying their time in higher education, meeting people, making friends,” she said. “Meet a boy, and then have a baby, all the exciting, good things that we think about as Americans.”
ENVIRONMENT: NEWS
Another look at expansion
Environmental groups are asking the Georgia Public Service Commission to reconsider its approval of a 10 gigawatt natural gas turbine expansion, arguing that it is too large and will result in ordinary customers paying for the infrastructure despite data centers being responsible for the costs, as Emily Jones of WABE/Grist reports.
The commission added the petition to its agenda for 9:30 a.m. today, with a livestream available here.
ENVIRONMENT: NEWS
Changes proposed for Cumberland
If you’ve ever been to Cumberland Island, you probably have a favorite place there. Maybe it’s Sea Camp, with its twisting oaks and easy access to a wild beach. Maybe it’s the maritime forest of the island’s expansive wilderness. Favor civilization? You’re likely to be found at Dungeness ruins, the remains of Lucy Carnegie’s Gilded Age estate. Whatever your preference, it’s worth checking out how it will be affected by a proposed Visitor Use Management Plan issued by the National Park Service, as The Current GA‘s Mary Landers reports. Environmental groups have mapped out their responses to the plan, which envisions more than doubling the daily visitation to the island. The public comment period ends Feb. 21.
Also noted:
The Trump administration is trying to roll back climate regulations on everything from vehicles to industries, as it rescinds endangerment finding, a 2009 declaration that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. The Conversation offers a wrap up of what’s at stake and a look at the court challenges the administration faces before it can actually undo the finding.
The Coastal Permitting Advisory Committee of the Coastal Georgia Regional Water Planning Council will hold its next meeting from 9-11:45 a.m. Feb. 27 at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Dr., Savannah. Registration: 8:30 – 9 a.m. To attend virtually, contact the Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center by phone (229-430-2900) or e-mail (info@h2opolicycenter.org).
The North Bryan Water Reclamation Facility opened on Feb. 5. The facility on Interstate 16 receives wastewater from the Hyundai megasite across the highway and discharges its effluent into the Ogeechee River. Hyundai used a Savannah treatment facility and also trucked wastewater offsite while the Bryan County facility was being built.
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Pridemore won’t run again for PSC, eyes Georgia’s 11th District seat
Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore announced she will not seek re-election in 2026. Separately, she discussed her support for the Trump administration’s deregulation efforts and her views on climate change at a luncheon talk to the Golden Isles Republican Women’s group.
Environmentalists challenge Georgia Power’s expansion over capacity concerns
Environmental groups are asking the Georgia Public Service Commission to reconsider its approval of a 10 gigawatt natural gas turbine expansion, arguing that it is too large and will result in ordinary customers paying for the infrastructure despite data centers being responsible for the costs.
Cumberland Island could see 700 visitors a day under proposed plan
The National Park Service has released a Visitor Use Management Plan for Cumberland Island National Seashore, which suggests more than doubling the number of daily visitors allowed on the island and providing more amenities, but environmental groups are raising concerns about the potential impact on the island’s wilderness and wildlife.
Chatham County teacher killed in crash by suspect fleeing ICE
A Chatham County elementary school teacher on her way to work was killed by a man fleeing federal immigration agents.
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