GPSC GPSC News Winter 2011 Volume 10 Issue 1 *Georgia Power *$10.76 monthly increase *ROE of 11.15% *Sets earnings band between 10.25% and 12.25% *Base rate increase of $562.3 million Commission Decides Georgia Power Rate Case In this issue Legislative Update 2 Wise Takes Helm as Com- 3 mission Chair Commission Approves Low Income Grant 3 T the case all signed off on Sets an earnings he Commission on the settlement that will band between 10.25 perDecember 21 vot- mean an average in- cent and 12.25 percent. Busted Pipes Flood Consumer Affairs 3 ed 4-1 to approve a set- crease of about $10.76 Any earnings above tlement agreement in the in the average residential 12.25 percent will be Georgia Power Company customer's monthly bill. shared two-thirds with Baker Retires from Commission 4 rate case docket that ad- Other items in the ap- customers. justs the Company's base proved settlement in- The Company will not rates beginning January clude: file a general rate case NARUC in Atlanta 5 1, 2011. The Company, Sets the Company's unless its retail earnings the Commission's Public return on equity (ROE) at are projected to be below Echols Displays CNG Car 5 Interest Advocacy Staff, 11.15 percent 10.25 percent and eight other parties in (Continued on page 2) NARUC Donates to Project 6 SHARE Employee News 7 Commission Calendar 8 Next Issue May 2011 Echols Takes Office as Newest Commissioner Co m m is s io n e r Tim Echols took the oath of office December 21 and began his sixyear term on the Commission on January 1, 2011. Governor Sonny Perdue administered the oath of office to Echols as Echols's wife held the Bible. Echols' seven chil- dren, parents and other friends and colleagues also attended. Echols won election to the Commission in the general election of November, 2010 after spending 15 years in the non- (Continued on page 2) PAGE 2 GPSC NEWS VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 Legislative News Nathan Deal was inaugurated as Georgia's 82nd tions Committees. Commission Chairman Stan Governor on January 10, 2011 Wise presented the same day that lawmakers the Commission's returned to the State Capitol Amended Fiscal for the beginning of the 2011 Year 2011 budget Georgia General Assembly. to the House Eco- Deal defeated former Governor nomic Develop- Roy Barnes in the November ment Subcommit- election to continue Republican tee on January control of the Governor's offic- 24, 2011. es. The House should pass out the Deal delivered his first State of Amended Budget in February when the State address to lawmakers the Senate will begin it considera- on January 12. tion of the state budgets. With the convening of the legis- lature comes the annual budget writing process and the Commission's presentations to the House and Senate Appropria- If you have a story for the next GPSC News, please send to Bill Edge, bille@psc.state.ga.us. Next issue deadline is April 15, 2011. Chairman Stan Wise presents the Commission's Amended Fiscal Year 2011 Budget to the House Economic Development Subcommittee Echols Takes Office (Continued from page 1) paign focused on consumer pro- Echols has a strong interest in profit sector. Echols founded tection, clean energy, and ac- the transportation responsibili- "TeenPact" and grew the mock countability. He plans to travel ties of the Commission. In that legislative youth program to 38 the state speaking to high school regard, he was instrumental in states in his tenure. He contin- and college students as well as persuading a Macon television ues to serve on the group's civic groups about the importance station to do an investigative Board of Directors. of reliable energy at low prices report on "rogue" moving com- Echols noted that one of his and other aspects of the Commis- panies who are in violation of goals as a college student while sion's responsibilities. Additional- the law and hurting legitimate at the University of Georgia was ly, Echols has a goal to tour every businesses. Additionally, he to become a statewide elected power plant owned by Georgia promotes the use of CNG official and that he has now Power during his first year in of- (compressed natural gas) as a achieved that goal. Echols' cam- fice. (Continued on page 4) Commission Decides Georgia Power Rate Case (Continued from page 1) sion to increase its base retail any new proposed rates within Increases Georgia Power rates by $1.2 billion over three 180 days of the Company's fil- base rate revenues by approxi- years. During this rate proceed- ing. mately $562.3 million for 2011 ing, the Commission held three The Commission decided the rounds of hearings in Atlanta as last Georgia Power rate reProvides for a three-year rate well as additional meetings for quest on December 18, 2007 plan for a total base rate reve- public input in Macon, Rome and in Docket 25060. nue increase of $844.6 million Savannah. Georgia Power filed a request on Georgia law requires the Com- July 1, 2010 with the Commis- mission to issue a decision on VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 GPSC NEWS PAGE 3 Wise Takes Helm as Commission Chair in 2011 Commissioner Stan Wise begins a one-year term as ly recognized expert on energy matters, having testified numer- Chairman of the Commission for ous times before Congress. 2011, taking the gavel from out- He is an active participant in the going Chairman Lauren "Bubba" National Association of Regulator McDonald, Jr. The Commission Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Chairmanship is rotated annually and served as NARUC President among the five Commission in 2003-2004. He serves on the members based on Georgia law NARUC International Relations and Commission rules. Committee and the Gas Commit- This will be Wise's fourth tenure tee. He is also a past President of as Chair, having previously the Southeastern Association of chaired the Commission in 1997, Regulatory Utility Commission- 1999 and 2006. ers. (SEARUC) Wise has served on the five- Commissioner Wise's complete member regulatory panel since biography is on the Commission 1995. He won re-election to his mission in November 2006. web site, www.psc.state.ga.us. third six-year term on the Com- Commissioner Wise is a national- Commission Approves $5 Grant to Help Low Income Senior Citizens T (USF). Atlanta Gas Light Compahe Commission January ny and the natural gas marketers 18 unanimously approved will receive $4 million to be used tomers during this extremely a $5 million grant to provide re- as a line item credit, "Georgia cold 2011 lief for low-income senior citizens PSC Credit", on qualified senior winter who are natural gas customers in citizens bills. The remaining $1 heating the Atlanta Gas Light Company million will be distributed to the season," said Commissioner (AGLC) distribution area. The Salvation Army to provide addi- H. Doug Everett, who made Commission directed that the tional relief. the proposal during the Com- money be allocated from the nat- "We are pleased that we are able mission's Administrative Ses- ural gas Universal Service Fund to assist these natural gas cus- sion. Busted Pipes Flood Consumer Affairs The deep freeze that hit Georgia just before Christmas did more than drop temperatures into the teens, it caused the pipes in the heating units in Consumer Affairs to burst. The water spread throughout the first floor area occupied by Consumer Affairs, forcing employees to evacuate their offices and work out of temporary locations. The problem first surfaced on the afternoon of December 17. The Georgia Building Authority brought in dehumidifiers to start the drying out process. However, additional pipes gave way on (Continued on page 5) PAGE 4 GPSC NEWS VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 Baker Retires from Commission Fellow Commissioners, Commission staff, friends and family joined together on December 16 to wish Commissioner Robert Baker farewell as he prepares to head off into the private section. After 18 years in office, Commissioner Baker is joining the Cobb County law firm of Freeman, Mathis and Gary LLP. According to a release from the firm, Baker will represent clients on energy and technology issues including both private companies and governmental entities. Baker did not seek re-election to the Commission for a fourth term. He is being succeeded by Tim Echols who won the seat in the November 2010 election. When he was elected in 1992, Baker was the first Republican to be elected to a statewide office since Reconstruc- tion. He was on the only Republi- can on the Com- mission until 1995 when he was joined by fellow Administrative Assistant Cheryl Vinson, wife Jocelyn Baker and Commissioner Baker at the reception for Baker on December 16, 2010 Republican Stan Wise. The Commission soon gained a Republi- can majority when Commission Bob Durden switched from the Democratic to the Republican party. "It's been a privilege working here and I will miss it," said Baker at his retirement party. "It's been quite an experience," Baker added. Baker thanked the Commission staff and especially his longtime assistant Cheryl Vinson who has been with Baker since 1996. Commissioners Chuck Eaton and Doug Everett wish Commission- er Baker farewell Commission Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. speaks at Commissioner Baker's farewell Echols Takes Office as New Commissioner (Continued from page 2) tion barn. grade at Athens Christian transportation fuel and hopes Echols attended the University of School. one day America will be less de- Georgia where he served as Bap- Echols and his wife Windy have pendent on foreign oil. tist Student Union President. He seven children and have been Echols attended North Clayton met his wife Windy there and they married 27 years and live in High School in Riverdale, Geor- were married shortly after Echols Winterville, just outside Athens. gia where he served as Student graduated. Windy went on to He received a Bachelor of Arts Council President. He also graduate with a teaching degree and two Masters Degrees from owned his own car clean-up from Georgia State University. the University of Georgia. shop, housed in the family auc- She currently teaches second VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 GPSC NEWS PAGE 5 Annual NARUC Convention in Atlanta The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners held its 112nd annual convention in Atlanta on November 1316, 2010. Commissioners and staff attended and participated in several committee meetings. Appearances by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski highlighted the gathering. The convention was filled with NARUC Committee and staff subcommittee meetings. Consumer Affairs Commissioners Stan Wise and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. enjoy the NARUC luncheon with Commissioners from across the country during the annual NARUC convention in Atlanta Director Mike Nantz and Consumer Operations Analyst Will Culbreath briefed the Staff Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs on the consumer affairs web based consumer complaint system. Consumer Affairs and Public Information staff members from ten state commissions attended the gathering. (Continued on page 6) Commissioner Echols Displays CNG Car Commissioner Tim Echols displayed his Compressed Natural Gas vehicle to interested news media reporters and others on January 20 outside the Commission offices. Echols purchased the used 1999 Honda Civic sedan in December 2010. He says his car has an average range between fill-ups of 180 miles. Echols paid $3000 for the car and believes his new ride will give Commissioner Echols chats with reporters about his CNG car him great service as he drives between his home in Athens and the Capitol. "Most people don't know that CNG cars can drive in the HOV lane with just the driver," said Echols. "This benefit alone should motivate frustrated commut- ers to consider CNG as an alter- Consumer Affairs Flood native fuel." Georgia currently has only two (Continued from page 3) worked to stop public fueling stations providing December 20 further the water and CNG services, both of which are compounding the begin the clean up in the south metro area of Atlan- problem. Consumer process. Consum- ta. Echols has refilled his Honda Affairs Director er Affairs returned at both stations, run by Clean Mike Nantz sent his to nearly normal Energy and PS Energy. call center folks home operations on De- "I have always felt the best way to telework while cember 27. to lead is by example, if at all Georgia Building Au(Continued on page 6) th ority personn el PAGE 6 GPSC NEWS VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 NARUC Donates to Project SHARE The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) announced November 16 that the group has donated $1500 to Project SHARE in lieu of speaker gifts during the NARUC Annual Meeting in Atlanta. NARUC made the donation at the urging of Commissioner Stan Wise. "Project SHARE helps make the difference for those who are facing disastrous situations due to lack of resources and NARUC is glad to assist this worthwhile charity," said Commissioner Wise. In 1985, the Salvation Army Founded in 1889, the Association Georgia Division established is an invaluable resource for its Project Share to provide emer- members and the regulatory gency assistance for the elder- community, providing a venue to ly, families and other Geor- set and influence public policy, gians facing crisis situations. share best practices, and foster Each year SHARE assists more innovative solutions to improve than 40,000 people affected by regulation. NARUC drew over illness, job loss or other unfor- 1200 attendees to Atlanta with an tunate situations. . estimate economic impact of NARUC is the national associa- nearly $1 million. This is the se- tion representing the State Pub- cond NARUC annual meeting in lic Service Commissioners who Atlanta in the past six years. regulate essential utility ser- The next NARUC Annual Conven- vices, including energy, telecom- tion will take place November 13 munications, and water. NARUC -16, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. members are responsible for as- suring reliable utility service at fair, just, and reasonable rates. Mike Nantz and Will Culbreath brief the Consumer Affairs Staff Subcommittee during NARUC Atlanta Meeting Jamie Barber and Sallie Tanner at the Annual NARUC Convention (Continued from page 5) Commissioner Tony Clark of the North Dakota Public Service Commission took office as NARUC President from outgoing President David Coen of the Vermont Public Service Board. Echols Displays CNG American resource and that most based on criteria to be estab- Vehicle of our national trade deficit is lished by the PSC. In addition because of foreign oil. to building fueling infrastruc- (Continued from page 5) Atlanta Gas Light Company, one ture, AGL's announced pro- possible," said Echols. "It's one of the two gas utilities regulated gram would include a low cost thing to encourage investment in by the Georgia PSC, has a pro- leasing option for individual alternative energy, but being able posal currently under review at customers and small business- to speak from personal experi- the PSC where the utility would es to install home refueling ence may enable me to convince install refueling equipment at appliances at their residences other public officials to do the public stations operated by pri- or places of business. same thing." Echols said he be- vate companies. Funds would be The AGL proposal will be vot- lieves that many officials will be dispensed from the state's natu- ed on by the Commission in interested because CNG is an ral gas universal service fund VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 GPSC NEWS PAGE 7 Employee News Eaton and Echols Meet with French Consul The French Consul and his staff paid a visit to the Commission on January 19. Pascal Le Deunff, Consul General of France along with his Press Attache, Claire Collbert and Serge Hanoca, Director for Energy and Industrial Affairs, chatted with Commissioners Chuck Eaton and Tim Echols. Commissioner Echols said, "It was my honor to meet with the French General Consul and discuss nuclear waste recycling and reprocessing. The French derive 80% of their electricity from nuclear power and have developed the reprocessing technology that I hope we can employ here in Georgia and the United States." Congratulations Commissioners Take Part in White County Pipeline Opening o Rob Trokey who recently Tgot married to his fianc, C Giang in Vietnam on January 5, ommissioners Doug Everett and 2011. Co-workers held a cele- Lauren "Bubba' bration in the couple's honor on McDonald, Jr. took January 31, 2011. part in the ceremoni- al wrench turning Janu- ary 19 that officially opened the new natural gas line in White Coun- ty. They joined Atlan- ta Gas Light President Suzanne Sitherwood and Cleveland Mayor Don STanley in Cleve- land for the official opening. Farewell Commissioners, staff, friends and family bid farewell and fond retirement to Gary Mason on January 26 as Gary retires from the Commission with over 12 years of service. Gary worked in the Underground Facilities Protection section as a GUFPA Pipeline Safety colleagues join analyst. Gary officially retired on to wish Garry a great retirement January 31. Chairman Stan Wise presented the state. to help celebrate Gary's ven- Gary with a proclamation from Governor Nathan Deal com- Everyone joined in to partake of ture into retirement. cake, punch and other goodies mending him for his service to PAGE 8 GPSC NEWS VOLUME 10 ISSUE 1 Commission News Commission Calendar Georgia State Holidays For 2011 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 3 January 17 April 25 May 30 July 4 September 5 October 10 November 11 November 24 November 25 December 26 December 23 January 2011 4-Administrative Session 13-Committees 18-Administrative Session 20-Vogtle hearing 27-Committees February 2011 1-Administrative Session 10-Committees 15-Administrative Session 24-Committees Commission Calendar March 2011 1-Administrative Session 10-Committees 15-Administrative Session 24-Committees April 2011 5-Administrative Session 14-Committees 19-Administrative Session 28-Committees NARUC Winter Meeting 2011 February 13-17, 2011 Washington, D.C. Summer Meeting 2011 July 17-20, 2011 Los Angeles, California Annual Convention 2011 November 15-18, 2010 Atlanta, Georgia 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 Stan Wise, Chairman Chuck Eaton, Vice-Chairman Tim Echols H. Doug Everett Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deborah Flannagan EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reece McAlister