GPSC 
 
GPSC News 
 
Fall 2010 
 
Volume 9 Issue 4 
AGLC Decision *$0.91 net monthly increase *$26 million revenue increase *Effective November 3, 2010 
 
Commission Issues Decision in Atlanta Gas Light Rate Case 
 
In this issue 
 
Legislative Update 
 
2 
 
Commission Ensures Pipeline 3 Safety in Georgia 
 
Commission Opens Georgia 4 Power Rate Case Hearings 
 
Public Meetings on Rate 
 
4 
 
Cases 
 
Commission Celebrates 
 
5 
 
Lifeline Link-Up Week 
 
AGL Files CNG Proposal 
 
6 
 
The Commission Octo- Coupled with an AGLC $2.63. ber 27 issued its de- filing to reduce the Envi- The Commission unani- 
 
cision in the Atlanta Gas ronmental Cost Recovery mously approved a mo- 
 
Light Company (AGLC) Rider by $0.23 a month, tion by Commissioner 
 
rate case by a 4-1 vote. the average customer H. Doug Everett that 
 
The decision approved an will see a monthly in- the monthly rate for the 
 
adjustment to AGLC base crease of approximately senior citizen low income 
 
rates beginning November $0.91 a month. This in- discount be reduced to 
 
3, 2010 that will mean an crease is approximately zero, saving customers 
 
average increase of about one-third of the Com- approximately $0.32 a 
 
$1.14 in the residential pany's 
 
requested month. The senior citizen 
 
customer's monthly bill. monthly increase of 
 
(Continued on page 2) 
 
Employee News 
 
7 
 
Commission Calendar 
 
8 
 
Next Issue February 2011 
 
Commission Approves Additional Solar 
 
Power Options for Georgians 
 
Georgia Power Company will have the 
 
on a 3-2 vote approved the Company's request for 
 
our solar energy program," said Commis- 
 
option of purchasing more a new Solar Purchase Tar- sion Chairman Lauren 
 
solar energy and making iff. Under the tariff the "Bubba" McDonald, 
 
that energy available to Company will purchase an Jr. 
 
consumers in the Green additional 2,500 kilowatts Under the new tariff the 
 
Energy Program, following of solar energy. 
 
Company would pur- 
 
Georgia Public Service "This action sends a mes- chase an additional 
 
Commission approval Oc- sage that Georgia is a 1,500 kilowatts of solar 
 
tober 5 of additional solar leader. We can lead 32 energy at the preset so- 
 
power generation. A ma- other states in solar en- lar purchase price of 
 
jority of the Commission ergy and open the door 
 
(Continued on page 2) 
 
for greater participation in 
 
 PAGE 2 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
Legislative News 
 
State revenues have increased for four months in 
 
Governor's race, over the next five to six years it is unknown in monitoring the construction 
 
a row, lending a positive at- 
 
when the Com- costs of two new units at the 
 
mosphere to what has been a 
 
mission will pre- Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power 
 
depressing budget cycle the 
 
sent its budget Plant near Waynesboro, Geor- 
 
past three years. The budget 
 
proposals to the gia to protect Georgia Power 
 
cycle begins in August prior to 
 
Governor in the ratepayers. 
 
the start of every legislative session. The Commission has submitted 
 
usual fall face to face presentation. Of course, these 
 
Governor Election Results (unofficial) 
 
its budget requests to the Of- 
 
reductions all 
 
fice of Planning Budget and fol- have serious consequences on the Deal-R 
 
lowing OPB directions submit- Commission's ability to fulfill its Barnes-D 
 
ted the following proposals: 
 
statutory functions. With no funding Monds-L 
 
53.0% 43.0% 
4.0% 
 
For Amended Budget FY 2011, to fill critical vacancies, the Com- 
 
budgets with 4, 6 and 8 percent mission will be facing a tough task 
 
PSC District 2 
 
cuts; for FY 2012, six, eight 
 
Election Results (unofficial) 
 
and ten percent cuts. Under the At this time, pending the outcome of the election and the 
 
If you have a story for the next GPSC News, please send to Bill Edge, bille@psc.state.ga.us. Next issue deadline is January 15, 2011. 
 
Tim Echols-R Keith Moffett-D Jim Sendelbach-L 
 
55.5% 40.8% 
4.0% 
 
Commission Approves More Solar Options 
 
(Continued from page 1) 
 
Through the additional solar pur- marketing initiative. 
 
$0.17 per kilowatt hour and chases, the Company says it also The Company proposes these 
 
purchase the remaining 1,000 expects to gain cost and opera- additional purchases of solar 
 
kilowatts through a request for tional knowledge of solar electric- energy under the SP-1 and 
 
proposal process. 
 
ity generation by requiring cus- RNR-7 tariffs with the intention 
 
In its filing, the Company cited tomers to file project cost and op- of holding non-participants of 
 
several reasons for making its erational data with both the Com- the Green Energy Program 
 
request at this time. These in- pany and the Commission. To harmless. All possible over or 
 
cludes procuring additional re- complement these additional solar under recoveries attributable to 
 
sources that will allow the Com- purchases and to further grow the purchases made under the 
 
pany's customers to take advan- sales of the Green Energy Pro- RNR-7 and SP-1 tariffs will con- 
 
tage of federal and state incen- gram, the Company adds that it tinue to be recovered through 
 
tives that may expire soon. will also be implementing a new 
 
(Continued on page 5 ) 
 
Atlanta Gas Light Rate Case AGLC base charge for eligible  Provides for ratepayers to 
 
Decision 
 
senior citizens. 
 
share 50 percent of savings in 
 
(Continued from page 1) 
 
Other items in the decision in- future Atlanta Gas Light Re- 
 
low income discount will be clude: 
 
sources company acquisitions 
 
funded from the Universal Ser-  Sets the Company's return on The Company filed a request 
 
vice Fund though December equity (ROE) at 10.75 percent on May 3, 2010 for a $54.1 
 
2011 at which time the Commis-  Increases base rate revenues million increase in its base 
 
sion will revisit the program to by approximately $26 million a rates but later reduced that 
 
ensure it is working properly. year 
 
request to $48.2 million in an 
 
The senior citizen low income  Sets in motion a plan for a October 1, 2010 filing. The 
 
discount provides a monthly re- three day performance standard Commission held three rounds 
 
duction of up to $14 a month the for service requests 
 
(Continued on page 4) 
 
 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
PAGE 3 
 
PSC Ensures Natural Gas Pipeline Safety in Georgia 
 
Although Georgia has never experienced an incident of 
 
quite the magnitude of the ex- 
 
plosion in San Bruno, California, 
 
the state's chances of a similar 
 
occurrence would be significantly 
 
higher had the Georgia Public 
 
Service Commission and its 
 
natural gas utilities not imple- 
 
mented aggressive Pipeline Re- 
 
placement Programs (PRP) that 
 
have become national models. 
 
"Despite the incident in San 
 
Bruno, the nation's natural gas 
 
system has a safe track re- 
 
Commissioner Wise interviewed by 
 
cord. Last year utilities reliably 
 
WGCL-TV reporter Adam Murphy 
 
delivered natural gas to 165 mil- 
 
lion homes and businesses 
 
through a 2.3 million mile distribution and 
 
transmission pipeline delivery system with 
 
only 44 serious incidents, more than 25 percent of which can be attributed to thirdparty damage," said Commissioner Stan 
Wise. In 1997 the Commission initiated an investigation to ensure Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) was 
meeting its obligation to adequately protect its pipeline infrastructure, much of which was century old cast iron and unprotected 
 
bare steel pipe, not unlike that in Now in the eleventh year of the month. Today that charge is 
 
the San Bruno incident. Over 
 
program, the utility has success- $1.95 a month. 
 
20,000 leaks had been identified fully replaced nearly 90% of the Similarly, in Docket 12509, the 
 
over a three-year period includ- targeted pipe at a cost of ap- 
 
Commission in 2000 ordered 
 
ing leaks in the lines right in 
 
proximately $580 million. Geor- Atmos, which serves about 
 
front of the Commission offices gia's PRP has resulted in less 
 
57,000 customers in Columbus 
 
by the State Capitol. In Docket 8516, the Commission 
 
maintenance cost to the utility, less gas lost from the system, 
 
and Gainesville, to place more than 184 miles of cast iron and 
 
in 1998 ordered AGLC to replace less miles of pipe to monitor and, bare steel pipe in its service ar- 
 
more than 2300 miles of bare 
 
most importantly, ensuring that eas. To date more than 137 
 
steel and cast iron natural gas lives and property are safer. Un- miles of pipe have been re- 
 
distribution and transmission 
 
der the program, the Commis- placed. As of October 1, 2010, 
 
pipes over a ten year period. 
 
sion allowed AGLC to recover the the Atmos pipeline monthly 
 
Since that time additional pipes cost of the program. In 1999, 
 
charge per residential customer 
 
have been added to the program. AGLC customers paid $0.11 a 
 
will be $4.00. 
 
These pipeline replacement pro- Commission has eight fulltime 
 
with the transportation of natu- 
 
grams are only one part of the pipeline safety inspectors in its 
 
ral gas for the safety and well 
 
Commission's ongoing programs Pipeline Safety Group who con- being of Georgia's citizens," said 
 
to ensure the safety and reliabil- duct safety inspections of all natu- Commissioner H. Doug 
 
ity of the state's natural gas 
 
ral gas systems operated in Geor- Everett. 
 
pipes. Although generally not 
 
gia by AGLC, Atmos and munici- During 2009 the Pipeline Safety 
 
seen by the public, the Commis- palities. 
 
Group monitored and inspected 
 
sion has two enforcement au- "Although no one can guarantee over 78,159 miles of distribution 
 
thorities under our Facilities Pro- that an accident will not occur, I mains, service lines and trans- 
 
tection Unit; the Pipeline Safety can guarantee that the Public Ser- mission pipelines transporting 
 
Section and the Georgia Utility vice Commission will continue to natural gas to over 2 million 
 
Facilities Protection Section. The ensure safe and reliable service 
 
(Continued on page 4) 
 
 PAGE 4 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
Commission Opens Georgia Power Rate Hearing; Holds Public Meetings on Rate Cases 
 
The Commission kicked off the 
 
The next round of hearings gets 
 
Georgia Power rate case hearings 
 
underway November 8 as the 
 
on October 4, 2010 to a standing 
 
Public Advocacy Staff and inter- 
 
room only crowd in the Commis- 
 
venors will present witnesses to 
 
sion's hearing room. Georgia 
 
support their recommendations. 
 
Power has filed for a $1.2 billion 
 
The Staff has filed testimony 
 
increase in its rates over a three 
 
calling for a $420 million rate 
 
year period beginning January 1, 
 
increase for the Company. 
 
2011. As is the usual Commission procedure, there will be three 
 
Georgia Power President Mike Garrett opens his company's 
 
The Commission held a series of public meetings across the state 
 
rounds of hearings on the case. 
 
2010 rate case hearing 
 
to hear from consumers on both 
 
More than 20 members of the 
public spoke at the beginning of the hearing to let the Commissioners know their opinions on Georgia Power's request. Afterward Georgia Power President Mike Garrett opened the 
 
Company's case as the first ness. 
Other company witnesses followed Garrett included Daiss, Robert Morris and James Vander Weide. 
 
wit- 
who Ann Dr. 
 
the Georgia Power and the Atlanta Gas Light rate cases. The Commission traveled to Macon on August 18, Savannah 
on August 31 and Rome on September 22 and Atlanta on September 13. 
 
The meetings were well at- 
 
tended as more than 60 
 
people came to the Macon 
 
hearing, over 120 showed 
 
up in Savannah and about 
 
85 citizens attended the 
 
Rome session. 
 
Further hearings in the 
 
Georgia Power rate case will 
 
get underway November 8 
 
through the 10 and Decem- 
 
ber 1 through Commission is 
 
the 3rd. The scheduled to 
 
Citizens fill the room at the Civic Center in Rome, Georgia to voice their opin- 
 
issue its decision in this case 
 
ions on pending rate cases 
 
on December 21, 2010. 
 
Commissioners listen to citizens in Macon at the Bibb 
County Commission chambers 
 
Commission Ensures Pipeline Safety AGLC Decision 
 
(Continued from page 3) 
 
tions during 1,029 inspections, (Continued from page 2) 
 
Georgia customers. With eight expending 1,560 inspection days. of hearings this year on the 
 
qualified inspectors, each in- These inspections addressed op- AGLC request, August 10-11, 
 
spector is responsible for ap- erator qualifications and integrity September 13-14 and October 
 
proximately 9,769 miles of management along with accident 12-13, 2010. In addition, the 
 
natural gas pipeline along with investigations and follow up in- Commission held four public 
 
250,000 customers. The inspec- spections that monitor operators meetings to take comments on 
 
tors evaluated operator compli- for violations of the law. 
 
the AGLC request. 
 
ance with pipeline safety regula- 
 
 PAGE 5 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
Atlanta Gas Light Files CNG Proposal in Response to Commissioner Everett Challenge 
 
T he Commission is considering a conceptual plan filed Sep- 
 
the initial station locations will be determined based on 
 
tember 7 by Atlanta Gas Light 
 
proximity to commercial 
 
Company (AGLC) to construct a 
 
fleet customers who con- 
 
network of compressed natural 
 
tract for the service. 
 
gas (CNG) vehicle fueling stations 
 
Commissioner Everett 
 
throughout the metropolitan At- 
 
has been working with the 
 
lanta region and along major 
 
utility on its proposal over 
 
transportation corridors in the 
 
the last year, and on July 
 
state. The filing is in response to 
 
29, 2010 he issued a direct 
 
a challenge issued in July by 
 
Commissioner 
 
H. 
 
Doug 
 
Commissioner 
 
challenge to the company to bring forth a conceptual plan. 
 
Everett. 
 
H. Doug Everett 
 
In issuing his challenge, Everett 
 
Under the proposal, AGLC will de- 
 
recognized several promising 
 
velop the CNG fueling infrastruc- CNG to the public. The general developments that may advance 
 
ture and Georgia's and other 
 
make it available for natural gas marketers service providers to sell 
 
public will have full access to each fueling station, however 
 
CNG use, including corporate commitments to utilize the clean burning fuel for fleets, and tax 
 
and vehicle rebate incentives cur- tract investment in the market rent ratepayers using a portion 
 
rently under consideration by and promote CNG vehicle pur- of the current surplus in the 
 
Congress. He also emphasized chases. Expanding the use of Universal Service Fund (USF). 
 
the need to insulate current AGLC clean, domestically-available The USF is funded through 
 
customers from subsidizing the natural gas will reduce the re- AGLC's industrial service pro- 
 
new business development. 
 
gion's dependence on foreign ceeds, by a share of proceeds 
 
"Georgia is leading the way to- oil," he said. 
 
from AGLC's asset management 
 
wards energy independence," said If approved, AGLC would invest program, and from other 
 
Everett. "The Peach State is the up to approximately $10 million sources such as interstate pipe- 
 
first in the country to build a nu- to construct the new fueling sta- line service refunds. Ongoing 
 
clear reactor in over thirty years, tions, which would range from operational expenses would be 
 
and we can be the first state in $1 million to $1.6 million each. paid by the fleet operators and 
 
the southeast to build a viable AGL would fund the initial capi- other CNG vehicle owners who 
 
CNG vehicle network that will at- tal investment at no cost to cur- utilize the service. AGLC will 
 
use revenues from these sta- 
 
tions to invest in additional CNG as part of a collaborative proc- 
 
Commission Approves 
 
stations throughout the state, and ess," said Commissioner 
 
New Solar Power 
 
provide a low cost lease option for residential and small business 
 
Everett. "We will have some of the brightest minds in this field 
 
Option 
 
customers to install individual fill units. The stations would not be 
 
at the table to build a sustainable 
 
business model that encourages 
 
(Continued from page 2) 
the Company's 
 
fuel 
 
clause. 
 
constructed until commercial cus- investment and deployment of Georgia Power will continue to 
 
tomers enter into contracts to ob- these facilities while not placing make quarterly filings which 
 
tain service for a minimum num- ratepayers at risk," he said. 
 
provide information about the 
 
ber of vehicles on an annual ba- A decision is expected in the first Green Energy Program includ- 
 
sis. 
 
quarter of 2011. 
 
ing the program's current re- 
 
"This proposal will be considered 
 
covery position. 
 
 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
PAGE 6 
 
Commission Celebrates Lifeline-Linkup Week 
 
The Commission on September 9 kicked off Lifeline 
 
costs). Lifeline also covers cellular telephones. 
 
Link-Up Awareness Week in 
 
"We want to get the 
 
Georgia, September 12-18, 
 
word out during Lifeline 
 
2010, during a news conference 
 
Link- Up Awareness 
 
at the H.J.C. Bowden Senior 
 
Week about this valu- 
 
Multipurpose Center in East 
 
able benefit which can 
 
Point, Georgia. Commission 
 
save qualified telephone 
 
Chairman Lauren "Bubba" 
 
customers hundreds of 
 
McDonald, Jr. along with Com- 
 
dollars and keep them 
 
missioner H. Doug Everett 
 
connected to the tele- 
 
announced the beginning of a 
 
phone network," said 
 
week long effort to make more 
 
McDonald, "As valuable 
 
Georgians aware of this tremen- 
 
as this benefit is, we 
 
dous benefit. 
 
know there are thou- 
 
Lifeline provides a monthly credit Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, sands of Georgians who 
 
of up to $10 off your monthly lo- 
 
Jr. kicks off 
 
are not taking advantage 
 
cal service telephone bill (AT&T Lifeline Link-Up Awareness Week of it." 
 
gives while 
 
a $13.50 monthly Link-Up assists with 
 
credit) paying 
 
up to 50% of installation costs, not to exceed $30 (AT&T pays 100% of installation 
 
As of December 31, 2009, there are 128,259 Georgians who are re- 
 
ceiving this credit. While this 
 
zens discount 
 
number represents a 43 percent 
 
from power or gas 
 
increase over the past three 
 
company, SSI, 
 
years, there are thousands more 
 
Medicaid, Federal 
 
who could qualify but are not 
 
Public Housing 
 
signed up. In fact, as many as 
 
Assistance, or 
 
one million Georgians may be eligible. 
 
L o w -I n c o m e Home Energy As- 
 
In order to qualify for these pro- 
 
sistance Program. 
 
grams, a consumer must be a 
 
Other Lifeline 
 
participant in any one of the fol- 
 
Link-Up Aware- 
 
lowing programs: Temporary 
 
ness Week partici- 
 
Assistance to Needy Families Will Culbreath and Claudette Willingham the pants taking part 
 
(TNAF), Food Stamps, senior citi- Commission desk to sign up consumers for the in today's an- 
 
Lifeline Link-Up Program 
 
nouncement were 
 
AT&T-Georgia, Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Telephone 
Association and Windstream Georgia. Eligible consumers should contact their prospective or current telephone service provider to find out if they offer Lifeline/Link-up credits 
and if so, to file an application to receive Lifeline or Link-Up assistance. Consumers may apply the discount towards either their home 
 
phone or cell phone service. Lifeline/Linkup Week is a joint effort of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions (NARUC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Affairs (NASUCA.) 
Will Culbreath talks with seniors at the H.J.C. Bowden Center 
 
 VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
PAGE 7 
 
Employee News 
 
McGriff Chairs National Speedy Recovery 
Association 
 
Sympathy 
 
Our own Danny McGriff, head To Commissioner Doug Everett of the Commission's Pipeline who underwent knee replacement 
Safety Unit, has started his one- surgery on October 29 at St. Joyear term as Chairman of the seph's Hospital in Atlanta. ComNational Association of Pipeline missioner Everett is doing well and Safety Representatives. Danny back at work. 
has previously served as NAPSR 
vice-chairman and on the Southern Regional Board. 
 
To Nancy Gibson on the passing October 29 of her mother- 
in-law JoAnn Cowles. To Ann McCullough on the passing of her brother October 30. 
 
Commission KP Corporate Challenge Runners 
 
T hirteen Commission Sheree Kernizan staff members took Bolin Killings 
 
part in the 2010 Kaiser Ann McCullough 
 
Permanente Corporate Dennis Sewell 
 
Challenge 5K Walk Run Phil Smith 
 
through downtown Atlanta Veronica Thomas 
 
on September 16, 2010. Julia Truss 
 
They were: 
 
Barbara Wolfe 
 
Monique Andrews 
 
Everyone finished in good 
 
Tom Bond 
 
shape. A special thanks to 
 
Heather Borst 
 
the Commissioners who 
 
Janey Chauvet 
 
donated to buy our team 
 
Bill Edge 
 
T -shirts! 
 
PSC Corporate Challenge Team 
 
Retirements:Farewell 
 
P hilip Bedingfield retired from the Commission September 
30 after more than ten years of service with the state. Colleagues 
and friends gave him a retirement party on 
 
September where he received a 
 
Retirement cake 
 
Commission resolution honoring his service. Philip was a utility 
 
analyst in the Electric Section. 
 
 PAGE 8 
 
GPSC NEWS 
 
Commission News 
 
Georgia State Holidays For 2010 
 
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 
Commission Calendar 
 
New Year's Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Confederate Memorial Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Robert E. Lee's Birthday Washington's Birthday Christmas 
 
January 1 January 18 April 26 May 31 July 2 September 6 October 11 November 11 November 25 November 26 December 23 December 24 
 
November 2010 2-Administrative Session 8-10-Georgia Power hearings 10-Committees 18-Administrative Session 
December 2010 1-3-Georgia Power hearings 2-Committees 7-Administrative Session 16-Committees 21-Administrative Session 30-Committees 
 
Commission Calendar 
 
January 2011 4-Administrative Session 13-Committees 18-Administrative Session 27-Committees 
February 2011 1-Administrative Session 10-Committees 15-Administrative Session 24-Committees 
 
NARUC 
Annual Convention 2010 November 14-18, 2010 Atlanta, Georgia 
Winter Meeting 2011 February 13-17, 2011 Washington, D.C. 
Summer Meeting 2011 July 17-20, 2011 Los Angeles, California 
 
SEARUC 
Annual Meeting 2011 June 12-15, 2011 Nashville, Tennessee 
GPSC ONLINE:.psc.state.ga.us 
 
The Public Information Office publishes GPSC 
News for the Georgia Public Service Commission. Information for GPSC News should be sent to: Bill Edge, 244 Washington St. S.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30334. Discussion 
of regulatory matters in this newsletter should not be construed as legal interpretations of orders or rules issued by the Commission. 
 
COMMISSIONERS Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr., 
Chairman Stan Wise, Vice-Chairman 
Robert B. Baker, Jr. H. Doug Everett Chuck Eaton 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deborah Flannagan 
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reece McAlister