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MEDIA ADVISORY 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 1996 
 
CONTACT: Harriet Van Norte Public Infonnation Officer 
(404) 656-4501 or 1-800-282-5813 
 
PSC MANDATES REQUIREMENTS FOR DALTON UTILITIES 
Atlanta - The terms of a stipulated order between Dalton Utilities and the PSC staff, which was heard on March 8, 1996, were set today at the PSC's March 19, 1996 Administrative Session. 
The decision requires Dalton Utilities to: 
1. Pay to the Commission, within ten days of the effective date of the order, the amount of $68,502 to cover PSC staff costs incurred in reviewing the utility's gas system. 
2. Submit within three months of the effective date of the order, an updated corrosion control/cathodic protection plan to address all underground steel mains and services required by federal rules regulating natural gas distribution systems. 
3. Complete and provide PSC staff with prescribed leak survey results prior to December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. 
4. Continue to take prompt remedial action to permanently repair or replace any natural gas pipe where active corrosion is found. 
5. Dedicate at least two full-time contract crews to insert underground galvanized steel service and one full-time contract crew to perform corrosion control work. The crews will be utilized until the cathodic protection of underground steel mains and services is completed in accordance with the utilities corrosion control/cathodic protection plan. 
6. Maintain detailed records of all leak repairs and its corrosion control program in accordance with the federal laws and rules regulating natural gas distribution systems. 
7. Provide quarterly reports to the PSC staff by March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, of each year until all conditions agreed upon are complete. The first report shall be due June 30, 1996. Each report shall include a list of all services replaced since the last filed 
 
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report and include the status of the cathodic protection program. If Dalton Utilities fails to comply with any of the provisions (#'s 2 through 7 above), and 
fails to cure its noncompliance within thirty days after receiving a written notice from the staff, a fine in the amount of $1 00,000 must be paidto the Commission within sixty days after the utility receives written notice of non-compliance. 
While today's decision resolves all issues presently pending in the civil action brought by the Commission against Dalton Utilities in the Superior Court of Whitfield County, the complaint is dismissed without prejudice thereby allowing the PSC the right to refile against Dalton Utilities in the event of noncompliance. 
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