GA P%OO . PI 
A3 
,qq"l;l. 
 
February, 1997 
 
INSIDE... 
 
PSC To Hold Workshops in 
 
Preparation/or Electric 
 
Conq1etition 
 
1 
 
Baker Negotiates Schedule for 
 
Clean-Up ofCoal Tar Sites 
 
in Georgia 
 
1 
 
PSC A.dvocates Consumer-Friendly Natural Gas Deregul..ztion . . . .. 1 
 
'Conunissioner Stan Wise Assumes 
 
Chairmanship ofPSC 
 
2 
 
Additional Officers Sought to 
 
blq1rOve Highway 
 
Safety 
 
2 
 
Telephone Deregulation Making 
 
Progress 
 
2 
 
WS Slamming Hearing Setfor February 10 and 11 . . . . . . . . .. 2 
 
Stop Unwanted Telephone 
 
Solicitation 
 
2 
 
Your Inquiries Welcome 
 
2 
 
PSCACTION UPDATE 
Commissioner Robert B. Baker, Jr. 
Georgia Public Service Commission 
244 Washington Street Suite 160 
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 
(404) 656-4514 Phone (404) 657-2980 Fax 
(800) 282-5813 
 
Commissioner Robert B. Baker, Jr. 
 
PSC To Hold Workshops in Preparation for Electric Com petition 
On January 7, 1997 the Commission voted to initiate workshops to examine critical issues associated with electric restructuring. Beginning in April the Commission will conduct a series of informal workshops with investor-owned utilities, public advocacy groups, commercial and industrial customers and homeowners to develop and explore the range of issues to be confronted during the transition to a competitive electric market. 
While Georgia and the southeast benefit from competitive electric rates, many northeastern states and California are lobbying Congress hard to begin deregulation of the electric industry. Issues such as stranded investment and transmission policy are only a few of the many important matters which will need to be resolved prior to the realization of electric competition. 
Baker Negotiates Schedule for Clean-up of Coal Tar Sites in Georgia 
After four years of inactivity by Atlanta Gas Light Company regarding the actual clean-up of its eight former manufactured gas plants throughout Georgia, the PSC intervened to require that a firm clean-up schedule be established for the sites. Actual onsite remediation action will begin in 
 
early 1997 at five of the sites and will continue through completion at all of the sites by the year 2000. 
"We have made a commitment to consumers to hold the company accountable for the approved cleanup schedule and we will monitor the 
progress on all the sites n 
cooperation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division," said Commissioner Bobby Baker. 
PSC Advocates ConsumerFriendly Natural Gas Deregulation 
The Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act, SB 215, was introduced on February 3. SB 215 is a comprehensive overhaul of the natural gas industry in Georgia which will affect Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGL) and United Cities Gas Company (UCG) customers, "While the legislation has the potential to provide Georgians a fair and reliable transition to natural gas competition, as it is currently written we believe it will only result in an even stronger unregulated monopoly in fttlanta Gas Light Company," Scid Commission Chairman, Stcn Wise. 
Commission representatives will continu; 'LO work closely with legislative le,aders in working to make necessary corrections to S B 215 in order to enhance consumer protections. 
Com missioner Stan Wise Assumes Chairmanship of PSC 
-<E.CEIVEL 
FEB 1 0 1997 
UU~UMtl~IS ~~ UBRARlF~ 
 
 On January 15, 1997 
 
Commissioner Stan Wise assumed 
 
the chairmanship of the Public 
 
Service 
 
Commission 
 
from 
 
Commissioner David Baker. As 
 
Chairman, Wise will spearhead the 
 
PSC's efforts this year to facilitate 
 
true competition in the gas industry 
 
to benefit all residential and 
 
business customers. 
 
Additional Officers Sought to 1m prove Highway Safety 
The Commission has renewed its budget request for state funds to put six additional transportation safety enforcement officers on Georgia's highways. This is the four1h consecutive year the Commission has sought funding from the state legislature. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) the Federal Department of Transportation will provide 80% of :the total funding for training, . equipment and salaries. In previous attempts the PSC had requested 10 officers plus an administrative assistant. 
 
FYI 
PSC Committee meetings have been rescheduled to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays in 
the month. 
 
AT&T and Bell$ollth have 
signed their interconnection agreement after months of negotiating and arbitration before the Commission. A final comprehensive interconnection agreement between BellSouth and ~CI is expected in the near future. 
By completing the interconnection agreement AT&T may move ahead with its plans to begin offering local telephone service in Georgia. Four companies, MCI, MFS, Georgia Communications South and ACSI are offering local service in limited areas. 
. LDS Slamming Hearing Set 
For February 10 and II 
A Rule Nisi, or show cause hearing, against Long Distance Services, Inc. (LDS) of Troy, Michigan has been set for February 10 and 11. 
LDS has been cited in several states by the FCC for slamming customers. Several hundred complaints have been filed against the company in Georgia. 
Consumers should contact the PSC Consumer Affairs Office at 1800-282-5813 if their long distance service has been changed without their authorization. 
 
Association, P.O. Box 9014 Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014 and ask that their name, home address and home telephone number be added to this national database to prevent unwanted calls. 
Your Inquiries Welcome 
Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you have a question about the Commission's cases or a utility problem. 
If I am not available my assistant, Cheryl Vinson, can personally help you or direct you to the appropriate person or department at the PSC. 
My direct dial office phone number is (404) 6564514 and my office fax number is (404) 657-2980. 
Visit the State ofGeorgia 
website for more information about the 
Georgia Public Service Commission 
http./lwww.State.Gs.US/PSC 
 
Commissioner Bobby Baker February 1997 
Telephone Deregulation Making Progress 
 
Stop Unwanted Telephone Solicitation 
Consumers who do not want to receive unwanted telephone solicitations can write to: Telephone Preference Service, Direct Marketing