GPSC news, Vol. 2, no. 3 (Winter 2003)

GPSC

GPSC News

Making Business and Safety Decisions Affecting Tomorrow
Volume 2 Issue 3
New Commissioners Take Office

Winter 2003

New Commissioners H. Doug Everett Angela Elizabeth Speir
Elected 2002 Serve through 2008
Speir: First woman elected to PSC
Everett: First Republican elected from Southwest Georgia to the PSC

In this issue
Electric Transmission Bill Now in Legislature Commission Bids Farewell to McDonald, Sizemore
Commission Holds SQM Hearings
Baker Takes Over As Chairman Commission Holds Regulated Provider Workshop
Commission News Wise Named to NARUC Post Coweta-Fayette Application Approved Employee News
Commission Calendar

Angela Speir takes the oath of office as her parents, Jack and June Speir and
2 family friend Michael Peek look on

H. Doug Everett is sworn in by Governor Roy Barnes. Everett's wife Janice holds the bible for the oath

C 2

o m m i s s i o n e r s the oath of office in R e p u b l i c a n f r o m

Angela Elizabeth ceremonies at the State southwest Georgia

Speir and H. Doug Capitol with Governor e l e c t e d t o t h e

2

Everett January

took 1, 2003

office as the

Roy E. administering

Barnes the oath.

Commission. Both won election to six-year

newest members of the Speir is the first woman terms in the November

Georgia Public Service elected to the five- 2002 elections. They

3

Commission. Both took member Commission. Everett is the first

took part in their first Administrative Session

4 Legislature Convenes, Budget Top

6

Issue

T he 2003 Session of $620 million shortfall teachers. the Georgia General in the 2003 budget response

In to

Assembly convened on year. He has already p r e v i o u s

7 January 13, 2003 for o r d e r e d s t a t e requests, the

what promises to be an departments to look C o m m i s s i o n

interesting and possibly for further cuts in their has submitted

contentious session. The budgets. Perdue's more than $550,000 in

top issue is the state's Fiscal Year 2004 budget cuts for FY 2004.

8 b u d g e t c r i s i s a s budget contains no The House and Senate

Governor Sonny Perdue pay raises for state A p p r o p r i a t i o n s

told the Legislature that workers, University Committees have already

the state is facing a System employees or started marking up the

PAGE 2

GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

Lawmaker Introduces Bill On Electric Transmission Line Siting

S tate Representative Judy Manning (R-Marietta) is sponsoring legislation (House Bill 22) that would require the Commission to issue a certificate of necessity to electric utilities and transmission companies before the companies could construct new electric power transmission lines. The House Judiciary subcommittee on Commercial Law discussed the bill on January 30, 2003, and heard testimony from interested citizens groups, Georgia Power, Georgia Transmission Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of

mission would have to expand its

staff and require more than $3.7

million in additional funding for

the Commission. The subcommit-

tee will take up the measure for a

vote later in the session.

Citizens groups in several areas of

the state have complained that

Georgia and the Commission. utilities should not have unCommissioner H. Doug Everett checked power of eminent doand Utilities Director Tom Bond main. The utilities say the bill told committee members the bill could impose an unneeded delay as written would mean the Com- in meeting that Georgia's growing
power needs.

The measure will be voted on by

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, 2003.

the Subcommittee and then go before the full House Judiciary committee.

Commission Bids Farewell to McDonald, Sizemore

C ommissioners Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. and Earleen Sizemore bid farewell to the Commission at the December 17, 2002 Administrative Session. McDonald had served on the PSC since 1998 while Sizemore had served since June 2002. Commission Chairman David Burgess recognized his departing colleagues at

Commissioners Earleen Sizemore (l) and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. take part in their final Commission session

the session. To Commissioner McDonald he said, "You've been a good colleague, a hard worker and the State of Georgia has benefited from your presence on this Commission." He noted that Commissioner Sizemore had taken the Commission's message out across the state to receive input from the public. Commissioner Sizemore was the first woman to serve on the Commission.

Commission Begins SQM Hearings

T he Commission in late January 2003 held three days of hearings on Service Quality Measures for natural gas marketers, the regulated provider and electing distribu-

tion company. The Commission is required to set the standards for service quality measures under the Natural Gas Consumers' Relief Act approved during the 2002 Georgia General As-

sembly. The Commission will publish the standards at a later date in accordance with rules adopted at the August 27, 2002 Administrative Session.

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 3

Commission Decisions

Commission Approves Aid For LowIncome Gas Customers

T he Commission on February 4, 2003 unanimously approved sending $5 million from the Universal Service Fund to the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) for energy assistance to low-income consumers. Specifically, $3 million will be used to assist low-income senior citizens in paying their winter heating

bills while the remaining $2 million will go to assist other lowincome consumers. Commissioner David L. Burgess, who sponsored the measure, said, "This Commission, out of a sense of dignity, ought to reach out to those in need in this state." The Commission action is in accordance with the Natural Gas Consumers' Relief Act that authorizes the Commission to use the Uni-

versal Service Fund to assist low-income residential consumers in times of emergency.
DHR will distribute the funds through the various Community Action Agencies located throughout the state. Consumers wishing to apply for assistance with their energy bills should contact DHR at 1800-869-1150.

Baker Takes Helm As Commission Chair

Commissioner Robert Baker, Jr. will serve as Commission chairman during 2003. Commissioner Doug Everett will serve as Vice-Chairman. Baker has been a member of the Commission since 1993 following his election as the first Republican elected to a statewide office since Reconstruction. He was re-elected in 1998. Baker grew up in DeKalb County and graduated

from Oglethorpe University with honors. He received his law degree from the University of Georgia. In 1994 Baker became the first Republican to serve as Chairman of the Commission. In 1998 he served

his second term as chairman. During his tenure on the PSC he has worked aggressively to develop competitive markets for utility services, reduce regulation and expand toll free calling in Georgia. He is a member and director of the Peachtree-Atlanta Kiwanis Club. He and his wife Joselyn live in DeKalb County.

Commission Names Telecommunications Equipment Vendor

T he Commission on January 22, 2003 approved the selection of the Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired of Atlanta as the vendor to administer the Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program.

This program provides for the distribution of certain items of telecommunications equipment to hearing or speech disabled persons subject to medical and financial eligibility screening. The distribution program is the result of

House Bill during the Assembly.

1003 passed 2002 General

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GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

Commission Holds Regulated Provider Workshops
"You Don't Have To Be Without Gas This Winter"

by Bernard Cameron

T he Regulated Provider was born out of House Bill

1568, the Natural Gas

Consumers' Relief Act, to serve

three groups of consumers:

low-income, low-income

seniors and those who were

unable to secure gas from the

certificated marketers.

However, to ensure the

success of the Regulated

Provider, the Commission

needed

to publicize its

existence.

To augment the Regulated

Provider's publicity efforts to

urge eligible customers to

sign up for its services, the

Commission held a series of

workshops to train the

people who had direct

contact with the targeted

audiences.

The

Commission's Consumer

Affairs Unit took the lead in

developing the content,

making contact with

prospective attendees,

Commissioner David Burgess welcomes scheduling and providing the

workshop participants

site for the workshop. Four workshops were held over the course of three months (October through December). Cynthia Johnson, Director of Consumer Affairs, served as facilitator. The workshops were honored to have the participation of Commissioners' Baker and Burgess at two of the sessions. More than 40 people attended the workshops representing organizations such as: the Sullivan Center, Latin American Society,

Community leaders, marketers and PSC staff take part in the workshops

Secumus Hose, Clayton County DFAC, Fulton County Human Services, HODAC, Inc., MUST Ministries, Georgia Council on Aging, H.E.A.T., Inc., Druid Hills Baptist Church, Green Forest Baptist Church, Georgia Natural Gas, Southern Company Gas, Walton EMC Natural Gas, Shell Energy, GasKey,

Infinite Energy and SCANA Energy. The workshop began with a welcome followed by an introduction by each participant. The first presenter was Ms. Joyce Hull from the Department of Human Resources. Ms. Hull's presentation centered on the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) qualifications that had to be met in order to be served as a Group 1 customer of

the Regulated Provider. She mentioned other assistance that is available to lowincome citizens to help keep their bills at a minimum, such as home weatherization assistance through the Department of Human Resources. At the end of her presentation, Ms. Hull answered questions from the audience. Next, Paulette Hood, SCANA

Commissioner Baker welcomes participants

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 5

Regulated Provider Workshops

Regulated Division, spoke to the participants about the role of the Regulated Provider. She gave a brief history of how the commission selected SCANA to be the Regulated Provider (RP). She elaborated on the RP's deposit policy (noting that the deposit of $100 was presently being waived for Group 1 customers), and the expedited disconnection process. She pointed out that low-income seniors who are served as Group 1 customers would be transferred to Group 2 rather than being disconnected. However, if they failed to stay

current as Group 2 customers, service could be disconnected. She also answered questions at the conclusion of her presentation. Finally, to "put the icing on the cake," Cynthia presented the audience with scenarios to reinforce the information that Joyce and Paulette presented. Many in attendance were surprised to learn that people who are employed as teachers, policemen, firemen, or even self-employed businesspersons may, in some cases, qualify for the services of the Regulated Provider as Group 1 customers.

At the conclusion of each workshop, participants filled out an evaluation form to determine the need for future enhancements for the workshops. The questions were: What did you expect to gain from the workshop? Was your expectation met? What would you recommend to enhance the workshop? Do you consider this training to be a good use of your time? All respondents stated they felt the workshop met their expectations and was a good use of their time. Suggestions

Regulated Provider Workshops

for enhancing the workshop included requests for on-site workshops, having a follow-up workshop in the spring and including more information about organizations that provide assistance. The Rev. Lynn Westergard of Resource Service Ministries said, "This was excellent. You took a fairly complex and involved

issue and simplified it as well as could be."

If you know of an organization that would be interested in learning more about the Regulated Provider even your church, civic or social group, please contact Consumer Affairs at 404-656-4501, press option one. As of this printing, more than 12,000 customers in both

Commission Denies Motion to Revoke Supra Interconnection Agreement

T he Commission on January 7, 2003 voted 4-0 to deny

a BellSouth motion to reject its

interconnection agreement

with

Supra

Telecommunications and

Information Systems, Inc

(Supra). The Commission

adopted its staff recommendation as modified by Commissioner David Burgess. The modification provides that the staff's recommended review of Supra's technical and financial capabilities be conducted on an expedited basis. This amendment further prohibits Supra from providing

service in Georgia under the interconnection agreement except for testing purposes until the Commission confirms that Supra has adequate financial and technical ability. Miamibased Supra currently provides local telecommunications service in Florida to more than 300,000

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GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

Commission News

Wise Named To NARUC Post
C ommissioner Stan Wise was elected First VicePresident of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) at the Association's Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois in November. After an annual nominating process, Wise, from Cobb County, should assume the NARUC presidency at the conclusion of the Association's Annual Convention here in Atlanta, November 16-19, 2003. NARUC, founded in 1889, is a non-profit corporation that

includes governmental agencies of all 50 states and of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers. The role of NARUC is becoming increasingly important as many issues involve Congress and the federal regulatory agencies. Commissioner Wise won re-

election to his second six-year term on the Commission in November 2000 and served as Commission Chairman in 1997 and 1999. He was first elected to public office as a Cobb County Commissioner in 1990. Wise is a past President of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC) and serves on the Gas Committee of NARUC. He is also chair of the advisory council to the Gas Technical Institute. He currently serves on the Cobb Educational

Coweta-Fayette EMC Receives Gas Marketer

Certificate

T he Commission on November 26, 2002 approved the application of Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas, Inc. to be a natural gas marketer. CowetaFayette EMC Natural Gas, Inc. is a subsidiary of CowetaFayette Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), a consumer-owned utility serving 55,000 members in Coweta,

Fayette, South Fulton, Heard, Meriwether and Troup Counties. Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas, Inc. is the second EMC affiliate to receive a natural gas marketer certificate of authority under legislation approved during the 2002 Georgia General Assembly.

Georgia law requires an entity to obtain from the Commission a certificate of authority before providing natural gas service to residential and business customers. Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas, Inc's customer service representatives are

available at 1-877-746-4362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers can also get more information from the Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas, Inc. website, http://www.utility.org./ A complete listing of natural gas marketers in Georgia can be found on the Commission's

website: http:// www.psc.state.ga.us/gas/ marketers.htm. The Commission approved Walton EMC's application last October as the first EMC

affiliate to enter the state's deregulated natural gas market place. Walton EMC serves more than 100,000 customers in northeast Georgia.

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 7

Commission News

Commissioners Celebrate Birthdays in January

C ommissioners Stan Wise and Doug Everett hosted birthday celebrations in January as the new year got underway. Commissioner Everett served cake and other goodies in his office while Commissioner Wise hosted a an early breakfast for staff and friends.

(above) Commissioner Everett supervises as Assistant Dona Cucich cuts the birthday cake

(left) Commissioner Wise greets Telecom Engineer Gilbert Bentley while the Commissioner's Assistant Sallie Kempton sets out the breakfast

Epps Honored
P andora Epps, Utilities Advisor in Utility Finance, was inducted recently into the Florence County South Carolina School District Three Alumni Hall of Fame. Inductees are nominated from graduates of the district and selected based on character and professional achievement. Congratulations Pandora!

New Employees

Mike Nantz
M ike joined the Commission on January 13, 2003 as the Assistant to the Director of Consumer Affairs for Enforcement. His most recent job was with the Kentucky PSC in Frankfort, Kentucky as an electric and gas safety investigator, rate analyst, "unofficial" Management Audit Branch staff member, and other duties as assigned. He has a

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Francis Marion University in Florence S.C. His most interesting assignment involved working with the Armenian Energy Regulatory Commission as part of a program/partnership funded by the US Energy Association. This assignment Involved four visits to Yerevan, Armenia. He is married to Debbie who is employed by Georgia Pacific as a Senior Product Supply Manager. They have one standard Poodle named Stoli. Mike enjoys traveling and sports.

O'tania Jenkins.
O 'tania is working as an administrative assistant in the Utility Protection Section assisting in the processing of GUFPA cases and the collection and input of reported violations into the database. Her boss, Gary Mason says O'tania has a great personality and is a great asset for the section. She is married, has two daughters, ages 3 and 1, and lives in Lithonia.

PAGE 8

GPSC NEWS

Commission News

State Holidays For 2003

News 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 Birthday Christmas President's Day

January 1 January 20 April 28 May 26 July 4 September 1 October 13 November 11 November 27 November 28 December 25 December 26

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3
Commission Calendar
February 4-Administrative Session 11-12-MCI/WorldCom vs. BellSouth hearings 13-Committees 18-Administrative Session 27-Committees
March 4-Administrative Session 13-Committees 18-Administrative Session 27-Committees
April 1-Administrative Session 10-Committees 15-Administrative Session

Commission Calendar

24-Committees
May 1-Committees 6-Administrative Session 15-Committees 20-Administrative Session 29-Committees
June 3-Administrative Session 12-Committees

NARUC Winter Meeting February 21-24, 2003 Washington, D.C. Summer Meeting July 27-30, 2003 Denver, Colorado Annual Convention November 10-13,2003 Atlanta, Georgia

GPSC ONLINE: www.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

COMMISSIONERS Robert B. Baker, Jr., Chairman
David L. Burgess H. Doug Everett Angela E. Speir
Stan Wise