Fulton County won't pursue felony charge against former PSC candidate who took Georgia Power secrets notebook

Caption

Patty Durand addresses members of the Public Service Commission during public comment in a hearing Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Credit: Georgia Public Service Commission

Fulton County prosecutors will not move ahead with felony charges against an environmental advocate who took  a notebook belonging to the state’s largest electrical utility during a regulatory hearing late last year.

Patty Durand was accused of stealing trade secrets when, during a break in public hearings before the Public Service Commission on Oct. 21, she took one of about half a dozen Georgia Power notebooks left untended in the room detailing the company’s economic projections around data centers.

• PREVIOUS REPORTING: Former Public Service Commission candidate charged with stealing Georgia Power trade secrets

In her decision to not follow through with felony charges, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said Georgia Power didn’t guard the documents well enough to support their designation as trade secrets under Georgia law.

Durand, who spent 42 hours in the Fulton County jail after returning the notebook, said she will continue to press for transparency.

"The extensive redactions and trade secrets that commissioners allow Georgia Power are outside of any regulatory norms and continues to harm Georgia Power customers," Durand said. "It's wrong and it needs to end."

A misdemeanor theft by taking charge against Durand stands. Durand performed 40 hours of community service with a group fighting climate change.

Georgia Power has not yet commented on the matter. 

The utility has, in the meantime, secured permission for new carbon emitting generation to power data centers.