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