Copyright The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The warrant says Durand exited the PSC hearing room, where testimony was being delivered to the commission in a case involving Georgia Power. At 12:04 p.m. Tuesday, video cameras captured her reentering the room and then picking up a booklet of trade secret documents from a desk, the warrant said. The hearing was adjourned at the time for a lunch break. After placing the files back, she walked to a second desk, where a second booklet containing the same materials was located, according to the warrant. Durand picked up the second set of files and after flipping through them, placed them in her purse and left the hearing room, the warrant says. It is unclear if Durand has an attorney. Attempts Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to reach her and other representatives for her were not immediately successful. Durand has long criticized Georgia Power for concealing information under the cloak of trade secret about various initiatives and requests of state regulators. As of about 7 a.m. Wednesday, a bond had not been set, according to the Fulton jail website. The warrant says Durand exited the PSC hearing room, where testimony was being delivered to the commission in a case involving Georgia Power. At 12:04 p.m. Tuesday, video cameras captured her reentering the room and then picking up a booklet of trade secret documents from a desk, the warrant said. The hearing was adjourned at the time for a lunch break. After placing the files back, she walked to a second desk, where a second booklet containing the same materials was located, according to the warrant. Durand picked up the second set of files and after flipping through them, placed them in her purse and left the hearing room, the warrant says. It is unclear if Durand has an attorney. Attempts Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to reach her and other representatives for her were not immediately successful. Durand has long criticized Georgia Power for concealing information under the cloak of trade secret about various initiatives and requests of state regulators. As of about 7 a.m. Wednesday, a bond had not been set, according to the Fulton jail website. Georgia PSC spokesperson Tom Krause also told the AJC the issue was a matter of law enforcement. Durand, is not a candidate this cycle for either of the two contested PSC seats. Early voting is underway, and Election Day is Nov. 4. Durand, a fixture at the PSC for years, attended the Tuesday hearing, which focused on Georgia Power’s request to greatly expand its generation capacity to serve an influx of data centers. She spoke along with dozens of others during the time for public comment. Georgia PSC spokesperson Tom Krause also told the AJC the issue was a matter of law enforcement. Durand, is not a candidate this cycle for either of the two contested PSC seats. Early voting is underway, and Election Day is Nov. 4. Durand, a fixture at the PSC for years, attended the Tuesday hearing, which focused on Georgia Power’s request to greatly expand its generation capacity to serve an influx of data centers. She spoke along with dozens of others during the time for public comment. Georgia Power has defended the projections of substantial new electricity demand, citing the huge needs of large-scale data centers. Metro Atlanta is the top market for new data center leasing, which is fueling a development surge. During her public remarks, Durand also took swipes at the commissioners, accusing them of taking campaign contributions from lawyers who do business before them. A recent AJC story showed that two commissioners that are up for reelection have accepted contributions from executives of companies that have benefited from some of the board’s most controversial decisions. Georgia Power has defended the projections of substantial new electricity demand, citing the huge needs of large-scale data centers. Metro Atlanta is the top market for new data center leasing, which is fueling a development surge. During her public remarks, Durand also took swipes at the commissioners, accusing them of taking campaign contributions from lawyers who do business before them. A recent AJC story showed that two commissioners that are up for reelection have accepted contributions from executives of companies that have benefited from some of the board’s most controversial decisions. “We’re going to stop right here for a brief recess … take a five-minute break, a 10-minute break give or take,” he said, rising from his chair and quickly leaving the room. That a commissioner interrupted someone testifying is unusual, to the point that regular attendees in the hearing room commented about the action as well. Shaw stopped the meeting again later, saying that those who were watching the hearing on the PSC’s YouTube page commented that the audio was unclear. The meeting continued after those brief interruptions and adjourned at 5:20 p.m. “We’re going to stop right here for a brief recess … take a five-minute break, a 10-minute break give or take,” he said, rising from his chair and quickly leaving the room. That a commissioner interrupted someone testifying is unusual, to the point that regular attendees in the hearing room commented about the action as well. Shaw stopped the meeting again later, saying that those who were watching the hearing on the PSC’s YouTube page commented that the audio was unclear. The meeting continued after those brief interruptions and adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
