How your PSC operates

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PUBLIC
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(OMMISSION

ROL( AND
R(SPO NSIB III TI(S
he Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates the rates charged and services provided by most intrastate telecommunications, transportation, gas and electric utilities operating in Georgia. The agency plays an important role in Georgia's economy by ensuring that consumers receive reliable utility services at reasonable rates, while providing utilities with an opportunity to earn a reasonable return for investors.
Under Georgia's Telecommunications and Competition Development Act of 1995 and the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, the PSC facilitates and manages the transition to open-market competition, assures reasonable access to services, monitors rates and service quality and mediates disputes between competitors. As ofJuly 1, 1998, all telephone companies will be allowed to compete with one another.
Requests for rate changes or other matters brought before the Commission are first reviewed by one of its four standing committees: Telecommunications, Energy, Policy Development and Intergovernmental Affairs or Transportation. These committees provide a forum for deliberating issues under the PSC's jurisdiction and assure all parties an opportunity to comment.

PS(
~UN(TIONS

Public Information

Coordinates official Commission press releases and media relations and maintains the Commission's public information files.

Consumer Affairs g~;
Provides consumer education about the Commission and its functions and responds to consumer questions and complaints concerning telephone, gas, and electric utility rates and servIces.

Transportation

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Enforces state and federal laws and regulations

regarding commercial motor vehicle safety,

conducts safety inspections and compliance

reviews, handles consumer complaints, provides

technical expertise, prepares reports and regulates

railroads as to condemnation and abandonment

proceedings.

Utilities

Provides technical expertise, prepares information analyses and reports, and makes recommendations concerning telephone, electric and natural gas utilities. It also presents alternate positions to the Commission in rate cases and ensures the safety of natural gas pipelines.

In reaching a decision, the Commission considers the interests and input of residential, commercial and industrial customers. Most matters are scheduled for formal public hearing before the full Commission. Sworn testimony is taken, witnesses are subject to cross examination and evidence is introduced much as in a judicial proceeding. The PSC is authorized to conduct hearings, subpoena witnesses, inspect properties, books, and papers of all regulated companies, issue orders, hear appeals and, when necessary, institute court proceedings to enforce its decisions, rules, and regulations.
Matters pending before the Commission are generally decided during Administrative Sessions held on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Hearing Room of the Commission's Atlanta headquarters office. All PSC Administrative Sessions, Committee Meetings and Hearings are open to the public. Any member of the public is invited to make a statement at Committee Meetings or participate as a witness at a public Hearing. PSC Hearings are also held throughout the state on issues of importance to local communities and consumers.

oR6 ANII ATION AL
STRUCTUR(

IT

h

e~ompmsiscscioonnseirssts

of five and a

elected professional

staff

of approximately 135 employees.

The Commissioners are elected statewide for staggered, six-year terms and may succeed themselves in office. One Commissioner serves as Chairman for a one-year term and is chosen based on seniority.

The PSC is organized for budget purposes into three divisions (Administration, Utilities, and Transportation) which carry out the day-to-day functions of the Commission.

The staff is headed by an Executive Director and consists of engineers, enforcement officers, rate analysts, consumer service representatives, fiscal and personnel officers and support personnel. Other key staff are experts on utility, telecommunications and transportation issues and operations.

PSC JURISDICTION

The Commission has jurisdiction over the following:

Transportation Division

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Motor Carrier Vehicle and Operator Insurance Certification

Registration and Safety (Trucks and Drivers)

Passenger Buses, Limousines, and Household Movers

Railroad Passenger/Track Safety

Utilitiu Division
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Investor-owned Electric Power Companies Investor-owned Natural Gas Companies Gas Pipeline Safety Telephone Companies Credit Card, Calling Card and
Coin-Operated Telephones Automatic Telephone Dialing and
Announcing Devices Telephone-Service Observing Equipment
However, the Commission does not have ratesetting authority over municipally-owned gas and electric utilities, or electric membership corporations (EMCs). Additionally, the Commission has no regulatory authority over water/sewer services, cellular telephone companies, interstate long~distance companies or the cable or satellite television industries.

~UTUR( ISSU(S
r stablished as the Georgia Railroad
' I : Commission in 1879, the regulatory
body dealt only with railroad expansion and competition. But as industry and technology grew, so did the agency's oversight. Telegraph came under regulation in 1891; telephone, gas and electric light and power companies in 1907; trucks in 1931.
Today, deregulation, or free market competition, is the dominant concern as the PSC carries out its mandate to provide for the public good as well as promote a healthy business-investment economy. And as competition increases so does consumer choice.
Telephone service has already begun to change. State and federal statutes permit long-distance companies, such as MCI, Sprint, and AT&T, to begin providing local service. Local companies, such as BellSouth, will soon begin to offer longdistance service.
The restructuring of energy services is just beginning to take place. In July 1998, under a new state law, gas marketers will compete for the business of Georgia's residential customers. And, by the end of the decade, current federal and state debates about consumer choice in electric service will be nearing resolution.
For more than a century, the PSC has dealt with the challenges brought on by change in the utility industry. As another century ends, the PSC will undoubtedly have a pivotal role in guiding a smooth transition to open-market competition.

TO (ONTA(T US:

Writf: ~.l:.:.:m

Georgia Public Service Commission 244 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-5701

Call :
~

(404) 656-4501 1-800-282-5813 Fax: (404) 656-2341 Internet: http://www.psc.state.ga.us

Your Gforqia Public Suviu Commission
~~
Dave Baker, (R-Atlanta) (404) 657-4570
Bobby Baker, (R-Tucker) (404) 656-4514
Mac Barber, (D-Commerce) (404) 656-0555
Bob Durden, (R-Grayson) (404) 656-4512
Stan Wise, (R-Marietta) (404) 657-4574

TO (ONTA(T US:

Writf: ~.l:.:.:m

Georgia Public Service Commission 244 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-5701

Call :
~

(404) 656-4501 1-800-282-5813 Fax: (404) 656-2341 Internet: http://www.psc.state.ga.us

Your Gforqia Public Suviu Commission
~~
Dave Baker, (R-Atlanta) (404) 657-4570
Bobby Baker, (R-Tucker) (404) 656-4514
Mac Barber, (D-Commerce) (404) 656-0555
Bob Durden, (R-Grayson) (404) 656-4512
Stan Wise, (R-Marietta) (404) 657-4574