GPSC news, Vol. 9, no. 1 (Winter 2009)

GPSC
GPSC News

Volume 8 Issue 1
*Public witnesses speak *Final hearings held *Nuclear Power Certification *Decision March 17, 2009 *Legislature considering Nuclear Financing bill

Commission Completes

Winter 2009

Plant Vogtle Hearings

In this issue

Legislative Update

2

Commission Mourns Passing 2 of Mac Barber

Commission Hits Illegal

3

Mover with Hefty Fine

Wise Speaks to Senate

3

Utilities Committee

Everett Sworn in for

4

Second Term

Commission Approves New 5 Hot Weather Rule

McDonald Takes Office for 5 New Term
Eaton Speakers to H.E.A.T. 6 Annual Meeting

Speir Leaves Office

6

Commission Holds Albany 6 Hearing

Employee News

7

State Holidays

8

Commission Calendar

8

power units, waving

signs and talking with

members of the news

T media. he Commission held spoke during the January The Commission also the second round hearings before the Public wrapped up the hear-

and third rounds of hear- Interest Advocate Staff ings on this issue during

ings on the Plant Vogtle and other intervenors pre- the Company's rebuttal

Unit 3 and 4 Certification sented their testimony. hearing on February 9.

Request on January 12 to Outside the Commission Although the hearings

14, 2009 and on Febru- offices, a group gathered were set for the entire

ary 9, 2009. About 15 to voice their opposition week, the hearing fin-

members of the public to the proposed nuclear

(Continued on page 3)

Everett Is 2009 Commission Chair

C ommissioner

based on Georgia law and west Georgia elected to

Doug

Everett

Commis- the Commission in No-

started his one-year

sion

vember 2002. Commis-

term as Chairman of

rules. sioner Everett's com-

the Georgia Public Ser-

Everett plete biography is on

vice Commission on

is begin- the Commission web

January 15, 2009, tak-

ning his site,

ing the gavel from out-

second www.psc.state.ga.us.

going

Chairman

six-year Chairman Everett an-

Chuck Eaton. The

term on nounced that Commis-

Commission Chairman- the Commission, having sioner Lauren McDon-

ship is rotated annually won re-election in Novem- ald will serve as vice-

among the five Com- ber 2008. He was the first chairman. He also has

mission

members Republican from south-

(Continued on page 4)

PAGE 2

GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

Legislative News

The 2009 session of the The budget recommendations were Georgia General Assembly in areas similar to those we sub-

is in full swing with the budget mitted in the 6-8-10% cut propos-

and declining state revenues als supplied to the Governor during

the big story. The Commission the summer

presented its budget to two The budget reductions were only

legislative committees in the taken in Utilities Regulation as we

first few weeks of the session had suggested.

amid reports that furloughs of The headcount remains the same

more state employees might be for each year at 100.

needed to balance this year's There is no allowance for state em-

budget.

ployee pay increases in either

The Governor released his year.

budget recommendations dur- FY2009 the State adjustments

ing his annual State of the for Salary increases, SHBP and

State address to a joint session GTA outsourcing was a reduction

of the Legislature on January

14, 2009. Here are a few highlights of his recommendations for the Commission:

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, 2009.

of $554,427. The impact to our remaining budget was
$732,692 or a 7.0% reduction after the State adjustments. The breakdown of the $732,692 is: $226,692 for Personal Services; $306,000 for Operating Expenses; and
$200,000 for consultants. For FY2010 the State adjustments for Salary increases, SHBP and GTA outsourcing was a reduction of $341,465. The impact to our remaining budget was $520,889 or a 4.9% reduction
after the State adjustments. The breakdown for the $529,889 is: $321,549 for Personal Services and $199,340 for Operating Expenses and
(Continued on page 4)

Commission Mourns Passing of Longtime Commissioner

The Commission December 8, 2008 issued a statement on the passing December

Mac Barber

7, 2008 of longtime former Com- kind in Georgia state govern-

missioner J. Mac Barber.

ment who will truly be missed."

"We mourn the passing of former Barber served on the Public

Commissioner Mac Barber who Service Commission from 1973

served the people of Georgia on to 1985 and from 1991 to

this Commission, in the Georgia 1998. Before serving on the

General Assembly and as Mayor Commission, he represented

of Commerce over more than Jackson County in the Georgia

five decades. Mac was a friend to House of Representatives from

everyone and an advocate for 1949 to 1970. He also served

the people. He was a one of a as Mayor of Commerce from

(above) Commissioner Mac Barber in his office in 1996 with stacks of consumer complaints. (Photo courtesy of AJC)

1988 to 1989. A memorial service for Barber
was held on Friday December 11, 2008 at the Commerce First United Methodist Church. Commissioner Stan Wise, who served on the Commission with Barber from 1995 to 1998,
said, "He was a consummate gentleman, a charmer and despite his eccentricities, was a genuinely interesting man just

to be around. He was remarkable, he was interesting and in
the 1990s he seemed like he was from an age gone by." Barber made it a practice to personally help people who were struggling to pay their power or gas bills.
Barber died at the age of 91 at a nursing home in Macon, Georgia.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 3

Commission Hits Illegal Mover with Record Fine

FERC Member Visits

The Commission December 2 will not allow rogue movers to unanimously approved a continue taking advantage of

recommended fine of $305,000 consumers."

against Atlantic Relocation, Inc. The Commission staff discovered

of Atlanta, Georgia for operating the illegal moves during an audit

as a household goods moving of the Company on September 4,

company without proper author- 2008. Staff presented this evi-

ity from the Commission. The dence during a hearing before a

Commission found that the Commission hearing officer on

Company, operated by Mr. Yair September 26, 2008.

Knafo, had conducted 61 illegal The Docket Number is 28097.

intrastate moves and levied a

civil fine of $5,000 per illegal

move.

"Our action sends a message to Commissioner Phillip D. Moeller of the Federal Energy Regula-

all household goods movers operating illegally in Georgia," said Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton, "that this Commission

tory Commission paid a visit to the Commission He met with several Commissioners during his shown above chatting with Commissioner Doug

on December 10. time here. He is Everett.

Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power Hearings

(Continued from page 1)
ished in one day. Georgia Power presented its rebuttal to the staff's recommendation and argued that they should be allowed to re-
cover financing costs for Plant Vogtle prior to the completion of the plant. The Plant is scheduled to be completed in 2016 and 2017. The Commission will

issue its decision in this docket on

March 17, 2009. The Docket Number is 27800.

Commissioner Wise Speaks

to Senate Committee

C ommissioner Stan Wise spoke to the
Senate Regulated Utilities Committee February 4 in favor of Senate Bill 31, which would allow Georgia Power to collect financing costs upfront on the con-

struction of two new units at Plant Vogtle
near Waynesboro, Georgia. The Committee approved the bill on February 9 and it passed the full Senate on February 11.

PAGE 4

GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

Commissioner Everett Sworn into Second

Term

Commissioner

Doug

Everett took the oath of of-

fice December 29 to begin his

second six-year term on the

Georgia Public Service Commis-

sion. Georgia Court of Appeals

Judge A. Harris Adams adminis-

tered the oath of office to Everett

as his family, friends and col-

leagues looked on.

Everett won re-election in No-

vember to his second term on the

Commission with over 68 percent

of the vote. He was elected to his

first term in 2002 after serving

six years in the Georgia General

Assembly and three terms on the

Albany City Commission, includ-

ing two as Mayor Pro Tem. Com-

missioner Everett served as Commission Chairman in 2004 and is a past president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC). He will chair
the Commission in 2009. Commissioner Everett was born in Cordele, Georgia but moved to Sylvester where he graduated from high school. He entered Georgia Tech but
later transferred to Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern University) and majored in math. After moving to Albany, Commissioner Everett first worked
for Albany First Federal Sav-

ings and Loan before starting Everett is a former

his own business in 1974, member of the Al-

Southern Appraisal Company bany Rotary Club,

that specializes in appraising the Sylvester JAY-

large commercial and industrial CEES, and the Syl-

properties. In 1980, he re- vester

Kiwanis

ceived his MAI appraisal desig- Club.

nation, the highest appraisal

designation one can receive. Everett is married to Janice Perry Johnson of Montezuma. The couple has three grown children, Mitch, Mike and Denice Delk, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Commissioner Everett flanked by his family and Court of Appeals Judge Harris Adams. (far right)

Everett Takes Over as Commission Legislature 2009

Chair

(Continued from page 1)
made the following committee assignments: Commissioner Stan Wise will chair the Telecommunications Committee; Commissioner Chuck Eaton
will chair the Energy Commit-

tee; and Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. will chair the Transportation Committee. Commissioner Everett, as Chairman, will head the Administrative Affairs Com-
mittee.

(Continued from page 2)
(ZERO reduction) for Consult-
ants. In FY2010 we have $380,000 in the Budget for Consultants. It appears that the Governor understands and supports our needs in this area.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 5

Commission Approves Hot Weather Utility

Disconnection Rule

The Commission on Decem- Speir.

website, www.psc.state.ga.us, us-

ber 16, 2008 gave final The Commission has had in place ing Docket Number 25877.

approval to a proposed rule pro- since 1979 rules prohibiting dis-

hibiting hot weather disconnec- connections of residential electric

tion under certain conditions. service between November 15

Under the rule as amended, and March 15 when the fore-

residential electric service could casted low temperature for a 24

not be disconnected if, prior to hour period beginning at 8:00

8:00 a.m. on the date of the A.M. on the date of the proposed

scheduled disconnection, a Na- disconnection is below 32 de-

tional Weather Service Heat Ad- grees. Commission rules also

visory or Excessive Heat Warn- specify under what conditions

ing is in effect for the county of residential electric service can be

the scheduled disconnection. disconnected, such as nonpay-

The Commission opened a ment of bills.

docket on hot weather discon- More information on this issue can

nections in August 2007 at the be found on the Commission's

urging of Commissioner Angela

McDonald Takes Oath to Begin New Term on

Commission

L auren "Bubba' McDonald, 1, 2009.

post and then re-elected in a

Jr. took the oath of office De- He won election on December special election later that year.

cember 18, 2008 to begin a six- 2, 2008 in the General Election He held the seat until 2002.

year term on the Commission. Runoff with 56 percent of the McDonald has a deep knowl-

Governor Sonny Perdue adminis- vote. McDonald, who served 20 edge of the energy industry.

tered the oath of office to McDon- years as a State Representa- During his previous term, he

ald as family, friends and col- tive, was first appointed to the served on the Committee on

leagues looked on. McDonald's Commission in 1998 by Gover- Electricity of the National As-

term officially began on January nor Zell Miller to fill a vacated sociation of Regulatory Utility

Commissioners, chairing that body's subcommittee on Nuclear
Issues and Waste Disposal in 2001 and 2002. McDonald has spent decades serving the residents of Georgia. As a state Representative, he chaired the Industry Committee
for five years and the Appropriations Committee for eight years. He also served as a commissioner in Jackson County,

served on the Board of Managers of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, and volunteered as a Firefighter for the city of Commerce for 35 years. A native of Commerce who now resides in Clarkesville, McDonald
(Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

GPSC NEWS

Eaton Speaks to Annual
H.E.A.T. Meeting
Commissioner Chuck Eaton gave the keynote speech at the annual meeting of H.E.A.T November 14, 2008 at the Atlanta Gas Light headquarters building in midtown Atlanta. Eaton explained to the group how the Commission assists consumers with paying bills during the winter heating season. He presented an overview of past Commission allocations of Universal Service Funds to the Department of Human Resources, and recent settlements with natural gas marketers which have resulted in funds going to H.E.A.T.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1
Speir Leaves Commission for Consumer Group
C ommissioner Angela Elizabeth Speir left the Commission on December 31, 2008 after serving one six year term. Speir announced that she would become the Deputy Director of Georgia Watch, a consumer oriented organization. Speir became the first woman ever elected to the Commission in November 2002 and she was the first woman Commission Chair in 2005.

Commission Holds Hearing in Albany on Plant

Mitchell

T he Commission February 5 held a hearing in Albany, Georgia to gather public input on Georgia Power's request to convert its Plant Mitchell Electric Generation Plant in south-
west Georgia from a coal fired plant to a biomass burning plant. Commissioners Doug

Everett and Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. heard from three members of the public. Two of them represented the Paper Corporation of America Plant in Valdosta while the third was from
the Georgia Forestry Commission. The Commission will make a decision in this docket on March 17. The Docket is 28158.

McDonald Takes Office

(Continued from page 5)

the Georgia Institute of Technol-

is a graduate of the University ogy. He was also a director of

of Georgia with a BBA in Busi- the Small Business Development

ness. He has long been a sup- Center at the University of Geor-

porter of higher education, gia..

serving on the Board of Gov- McDonald has lived his entire life

ernors of Mercer Medical Col- within District Four of the PSC.

lege and the Board of the Ad- Currently, he is a partner in L.W.

vanced Technology Center at McDonald & Son Funeral Home in

Cumming, with his son, Lauren III. He is married to Sunny
McDonald, is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, a private pilot, and an avid golfer.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

GPSC NEWS

PAGE 7

Employee News
Sympathy

We extend our condolences to liam D. Lewis, on February 13. mourns the passing of her father,

several Commission staff Mr. Lewis' funeral was held on Charlie McBride on January 13. His

members who have recently February 20 in Jamaica, New funeral was held January 19 in

lost loved ones.

York.

Montgomery, Alabama.

We extend our sympathies to Jada Brock lost her mother,

Mike Russell on the passing

Betty Hite, on Feb-

of his father, Frank Russell.

ruary 14. The fu-

His funeral was held on Feb-

neral was held on

ruary 19 in Atlanta, Georgia.

February 17 in

We express our sympathies to

Rome, Georgia.

Monique Andrews on the

death of her grandfather, Wil-

Alicia McBride

Commissioners Stan Wise and Doug Everett
both celebrated January birthdays, Commissioner Wise on January 19 and Commissioner
Everett on January 20. Both cele-
brated with sweets and treats in their offices.

Happy Birthday

(left) Commissioner
Everett looks over his birthday spread in his office. His assistant, Barbara Wolfe
baked the treats herself.

2008 Holiday Luncheon

Holiday Luncheon is

T he Commission family gathered on Decem-

a favorite Commission activity

ber 10 for the annual Com-

visit from two of

mission Holiday Luncheon.

his youngsters

Executive Secretary while Commissioner Wise performed his

Reece McAlister got a annual turkey fry.

PAGE 8

GPSC NEWS

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 1

Commission News
Georgia State Holidays For 2009

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 19 April 27 May 25 July 3 September 7 October 12 November 11 November 26 November 27 December 24 December 25

February 2009 3-Administrative Session 9-13-Georgia Power hearing 12-Committees 17-Administrative Session 19 Georgia Power hearing 26-Commitees
March 2009 3-Administrative Session 12-Committees 17-Administrative Session 31-Georgia Power hearing

Commission Calendar

April 2009 2-Committees 7-Administrative Session 16-Committees 21-Administrative Session 27-Holiday 30-Committees
May 2009 5-Administrative Session 14-Committees 19-Administrative Session

NARUC Winter Meeting 2009 February 15-18, 2009 Washington, D.C.
Summer Meeting 2009 July 19-22, 2009 Seattle, WA
Annual Convention 2009 November 15-18, 2009 Chicago, IL

SEARUC Annual Meeting 2009 June 21-24, 2009 Charleston, South Carolina
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 Doug Everett, Chairman
Lauren McDonald, Jr. Robert B. Baker, Jr.
Chuck Eaton Stan Wise
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deborah Flannagan
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Reece McAlister