Steve Oppenheimer, Georgia PSC candidate, offers energetic ideas for future

Oppenheimer is running for a PSC seat.

When it comes to regulated telecommunications, transportation, electric and natural gas services in Georgia, do customers feel they have a true advocate watching their pocketbooks?  Probably not, says Steve Oppenheimer (D) from Sandy Springs who is running to become a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC) which is now an all Republican body. 

"I myself questioned what I was hearing on TV regarding sustainable energy in Georgia," Oppenheimer told an audience of concerned citizens recently at a Cobb Alliance for Smart Energy (CASE) meeting at the Rib Ranch in Cobb County. "I asked myself, 'Is this for real?'...no, there are other ways to go...we need to get energy independent, use common sense, open up the process, be more transparent."

Oppenheimer is a retired dentist, an Indiana University - Bloomington alumni, father of three sons, native of Columbus, Ohio, and an energy project management guru.  "Our problem is that we're not looking down the road far enough," Oppenheimer said. 

"There are two really important political races coming this year: one for president and one to replace a seat on the Georgia PSC...This energy issue has no political boundaries," he said. Oppenheimer is running to defeat Commissioner Chuck Eaton  from District 3.

Oppenheimer's resume as seen on his campaign website (http://www.steveforgeorgia.com/) includes experience as a task force coordinator for Clean-Cities Atlanta. He also serves on Atlanta’s Electric Vehicle Task Force, the Metro Atlanta Plug In Electric Vehicle Readiness Task Force, and he is a coalition member of Analysis of Global Security, a Washington, D.C. group focusing on energy security.

He is also a national board member of Hillel, the Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus, and was regional Vice President for the B'nai Brith Youth organization for over 30 years. "I am detail oriented and have a scientific background." Oppenheimer said he prides himself on being able to distinguish fact from fiction. "I can trust experts, but I can also distinguish lies," he said.

At the event, Oppenheimer showed knowledge of solar, smart grid, fuel cell, bloom box, and ceramic technology. He talked about renewable portfolio standards, regulations lagging technology, and his desire to get both energy experts and student innovators engaged in solving our energy crisis.  "We need the energy of youth to push us," he said.

CASE members discussed clean energy and other concerns before the meeting.

When asked who was financing his campaign, he responded, "There is no super PAC or deep pockets...friends I've made over the last 30 years who have championed my leadership are helping me. I need the real citizens to unite to advance my  ideas to move us in the right direction," he said.

Political activist Thomas Carter attended the meeting and said he liked Oppenheimer's approach to questions and his ability to listen.  "Politicians report to us. We need to get politicians to do what we need them to do...we need a change in our energy policy and some forward thinking," Carter said.

Kurk Johnson questioned Oppenheimer's knowledge of the telecommunications industry, but said he thought he was smart enough to learn and probe new technology. Mike Holzknecht said he liked Oppenheimer's direct approach.

CASE president Tom Barksdale said citizens need to be concerned about PSC leadership decisions. "We have to be the engines...and get ourselves and others involved," he concluded.

©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.