GEORGIA RATEPAYER FUNDED PROGRAMS

CURRENT PROGRAMS
Rate Assistance
  • Reduced security deposit
    • Special rates and a lower customer service fee for LIHEAP-eligible customers through a regulated natural gas provider.
  • Georgia's Universal Service Fund (USF)
    • Originally designed to reimburse marketers for uncollectible accounts, a portion assists low-income residential consumers for emergency bill assistance, as determined by the PSC
  • Service charge waiver and discounts
    • Low-income seniors are eligible
Energy Efficiency
  • Low Income Weatherization
    • Funds from Georgia Power for low-cost conservation measures
Participating Utilities
  • Major electric utilities: Georgia Power
  • Major gas utilities: SCANA, Atlantic Gas Light (AGL), Atmos Energy
Annual Funding (2014)
  • Electric senior discount: $16 million (2013)
  • Gas discount: $5.1 million
  • USF Weatherization: $1 million
  • Low Income Weatherization : $1.75 million
Households Served (2014)
  • Electric senior discount: 74,580 (2013)
  • Gas senior discount: 30,357
  • USF Weatherization: not available
  • Low Income Weatherization: 551
Funding Mechanism
  • Waiver and discount: Social Responsibility Cost rider charged to all residential customers who are not receiving the discount
  • USF: surcharges on large industrial users and certain profits from AGL
Administration
  • Waiver and discount: utilities
  • USF Weatherization: Public Service Commission
  • Low Income Weatherization: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and Resource Service Ministries
LEGISLATION
Authorizing
  • SB 215 - Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act
  • SB 217 - amends the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act
Other Important
  • HB 1568 - Natural Gas Consumers' Relief Act