GEORGIA RATEPAYER FUNDED PROGRAMS
Rate Assistance
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- 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
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Energy Efficiency
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- Low Income Weatherization
- Funds from Georgia Power for low-cost conservation measures
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Participating Utilities
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- Major electric utilities: Georgia Power
- Major gas utilities: SCANA, Atlantic Gas Light (AGL), Atmos Energy
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Annual Funding (2014)
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- Electric senior discount: $16 million (2013)
- Gas discount: $5.1 million
- USF Weatherization: $1 million
- Low Income Weatherization : $1.75 million
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Households Served (2014)
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- Electric senior discount: 74,580 (2013)
- Gas senior discount: 30,357
- USF Weatherization: not available
- Low Income Weatherization: 551
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Funding Mechanism
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- 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
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Administration
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- Waiver and discount: utilities
- USF Weatherization: Public Service Commission
- Low Income Weatherization: Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and Resource Service Ministries
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Authorizing
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- SB 215 - Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act
- SB 217 - amends the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act
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Other Important
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- HB 1568 - Natural Gas Consumers' Relief Act
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