Ga. governor strikes cautious note on solar energy

ATLANTA - Gov. Nathan Deal says Georgia should be cautious as regulators consider whether to expand solar energy usage.

Deal said Tuesday that he is wary of the government mandating what types of energy sources utilities use to meet demand. Public Service Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald wants a vote Thursday on a plan that would require Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power to use more solar power.

The Republican governor did not explicitly say whether he supports or opposes the plan. Instead, Deal told reporters that the state needs to be "cautious."

Deal says he thinks green energy comes with trade-offs on reliability and cost.

A group of solar developers and several tea party leaders support the expansion plan. Americans For Prosperity has campaigned against it, saying it will raise costs.