Annual report of the Georgia public service commission. One hundred and twelfth report, 1984

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EORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Received DEC 1 1986 DOCUMENTS UGA LIBRARIES
112TH ANNUAL REPORT
1984

MMISSIONERS: PERT b. (BOBBY) PAFFORD. CHAIRMAN J.Y LOVETT. VICE CHAIRMAN ry b . An d r e w s i HAMMOCK
(Georgia public J5eriric GLammi&swn
2 4 4 WASHINGTON STREET. S.W.
Atlan ta, G eo rgia 3 0334

HORACE F. HARTLEY. SECRETARY

iThe Honorable Joe Frank Harris Governor of Georgia
Dear Governor Harris:
k s provided by law, the Georgia Public Service Commission submits therewith its 112th Annual Report, describing the regulatory activities of the Commission for the year ending December 31, 1984.

/I

----

Gary B. Andrews, Commissioner

STATE OF GEORGIA Joe Frank Harris, Governor
112th Annual Report of the
Georgia Public Service Commission
Robert C. Pafford, Chairman William E. Lovett, Vice Chairman
Ford Spinks, Commissioner Jim Hammock, Commissioner Gary B. Andrews, Commissioner Horace F. Hartley, Executive Secretary

112TH ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report of the Georgia Public Service Commission covering the activities for the year ending December 31, 1984 is submitted in compliance with the law.
The members and officers for the Commission are.
Robert C. Pafford, Chairman _ William E. Lovett, Vice Chairman Ford Spinks, Commissioner Jim Hammock, Commissioner Gary B. Andrews, Commissioner

Horace F. Hartley, Executive Secretary Philip E. McMullan, Administrative Services Manager

Jonathan Grant, Public Information Officer

; ...

L. Thomas Doyal, Director, Motor Carrier Transportation Division

Robert Ginn, Director, Consumer Affairs, Rail Service and Tariff

Division Beverly B. Knowles, Director, Utilities Division

TABLE OF CONTENTS

............. 5 INTRODUCTION..............................................
............... 9 THE COMMISSIONERS...........................................

HISTORY OF THE PUBLICSERVICECOMMISSION................................. 12

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OFTHE COMMISSION....................

17

DIVISIONS ................. 18
UTILITIES................................ .................. ......... 37
TRANSPORTATION...............................................
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, RAIL SERVICE AND TARIFFS................ ........

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COMMISSIONERS:

ROBERT C. (BOBBY) PAFFORD, CHAIRMAN BILLY LOVETT. VICE CHAIRMAN GARY B. ANDREWS JIM HAMMOCK FORD B. SPINKS

(Seorgia

public

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(Kommission

2 4 4 WASHINGTON STREET. S.W.
A t l a n t a , G e o r g ia 30334

HORACE F. HARTLEY. SECRETARY

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this annual report is to inform the reader about the Public Service Commission -- its background and history as well as its current membership and 1984 workload. This report explains the Commission's regulatory authority and its duties and responsibilities, which have changed, as a section in this report entitled "Historical Development of the Georgia Public Service Commission" documents.
The Commission is a small state agency, but it plays a very important role in Georgia's economy. By successfully balancing the needs of competing interests -- of consumers for affordable, reliable service, with the interests of investors who require a reasonable return on their investment in public service companies -- the Commission contributes substantially to Georgia's economic health and growth.
Changes on the federal level, in the marketplace, and here in Georgia have all combined to make the regulators' job more complex. The PSC is committed to meeting all these challenges as Georgia faces a promising, though uncertain future.
The Public Service Commission is a constitutional body established by the Legislature, and its powers and duties are described in the Georgia Code, Title 46.
The PSC consists of five Commissioners elected statewide and a staff of approximately 120. The Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms and may succeed themselves. They elect a chairman and vice chairman every two years from within their ranks. The staff is headed by an executive secretary and consists of engineers, auditors, analysts, inspectors, enforcement officers, experts and various staff support positions.
The Commission has general supervision of all common carriers, express companies, railroad or street railroad companies, dock or wharfage companies, terminal or terminal station companies, telephone and telegraph companies, and gas or electric light and power companies within Georgia. Electric Membership Corporations and municipally owned electric systems, while not under the jurisdiction of the Commission, must come before the PSC for resolution of territorial disputes because the Commission has responsibility for enforcing the Territorial Electric Service Act.
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The Commission has exclusive power to determine what are just and reasonable rates and charges to be made by any person, firm or corporation subject to its jurisdiction. The Commission must balance the needs of consumers for adequate, reliable service at affordable rates with the needs of utilities to realize an adequate return on investment that is dedicated to serving the public.
The Commission, either by general rules or by special orders in particular cases, requires all companies under its supervision to establish and maintain such public services and facilities as may be reasonable and just.
To fulfill its responsibilities, the Commission is empowered to make and enforce rules and regulations governing company operations for the protection of the public interest. The Commissioners and staff may conduct hearings, assemble evidence, make investigations, determine costs and valuations, inspect properties, books and papers of all regulated companies, issue orders giving effect to Commission decisions, and when necessary, institute judicial proceedings to enforce orders, rules and regulations.
During 1984, the Commission conducted 412 public hearings. All matters docketed for public hearing are heard by the entire Commission or an^ appointed hearing officer in open session. A majority of the Commission constitutes a quorum.
1984: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
PSC ORGANIZATION AND RESOURCES
-- Reorganization to Improve Agency Efficiency -- Increased Resources Needed to Face the Challenges Ahead
The Public Service Commission had a very active year in 1984. In response to the increased demands placed on it, Commission officials are striving to enhance agency resources so the PSC can properly address the challenges it will confront in the future.
On May 1, 1984, Horace Hartley became the Commission's executive secretary, replacing the retiring Hugh Jordan. Mr. Jordan, a former state representative from Stone Mountain, served as the Commission s executive secretary since 1977.
Mr. Hartley has worked to reorganize the Commission staff and improve agency operations by merging the PSC's utility and transportation functions, and by enlarging the Consumer Affairs Section, which assists utility customers with their questions and complaints.
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS AFTER DIVESTITURE
-- Reasonable Telephone Service Costs -- Competition in the Long-Distance Field -- No Intrastate Access Charges for Residential Customers -- Emergency "911" Systems More Affordable for Cities, Counties
The Commission has set reasonable telephone rates during the turbulent aftermath of the Bell System divestiture, despite concerns that telephone rates would rise dramatically after the breakup. The Commission is concerned about the affordability of basic telephone service, and has made its decisions with this goal in mind.
Acknowledging growing market forces, the Commission has allowed consumers to take advantage of a competitive market where such a market can flourish. The Commission opened up Georgia's long distance market to competition in 1984 by granting operating authority to AT&T, MCI, GTE/Sprint and Microtel. In late 1983, the Commission refused to put "access charges" on residential telephone bills. Instead, the Commission set reasonable access charges that long-distance carriers pay for their connections to local telephone company systems.
In December, the PSC took a major step to make emergency phone systems more affordable for cities and counties when it approved a special "911" tariff filed by Southern Bell. This tariff allows local governments to pass on installation costs of these life- and property- saving systems to the subscribers who benefit from them. Because these charges can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for larger systems, the new billing system, eases the strain on local governments' budgets.
ENERGY ISSUES
-- Stable, Below-Average Electric Rates Help Attract Industry -- Looking at Georgia's Future Power Needs
Due to a settlement in the most recent Georgia Power Company rate case, that company's customers have enjoyed rate stability throughout 1984, and continue to pay electric rates that are well below the national average. Savannah Electric and Power Company's base rates were unchanged through 1984, also. Georgia's electric rates are a key to attracting new industry to the state.
Both companies had slight changes in their fuel cost recovery rates in 1984. These are "pass-through" costs that recover without profit the company's coal and other fuel-related expenses.
As a result of a company appeal in Georgia Power Company's 1984 finance case, the Commission was upheld in its assertion that it has authority to examine a utilities' expansion plans and specific projects before they are completed.
Subsequently, the Commission received $113,000 from the Governor's Office of Energy Resources. Along with $32,000 in PSC funds, this money was used to conduct a study of the economic feasibility of Georgia Power's construction program.
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TRANSPORTATION ISSUES -- Major Improvements in Motor Carrier Safety Enforcement -- Increased Involvement With Hazardous Materials Transportation -- Preserving Rail Service to Georgia Towns
The Commission has increased its efforts to make Georgia's highways less hazardous through its motor carrier safety programs. The Commission already had safety jurisdiction over "for-hire" carriers. With enactment of H.B. 1010 into law in 1984, the Commission gained important jurisdiction over "private" carriers (such as the truck fleet a manufacturing company maintains to haul only its products). The Commission may now enforce safety regulations on nearly all motor carriers operating on Georgia's highways.
This, coupled with the Commission's adoption of federal hazardous materials regulations, gives Georgia important enforcement authority to help ensure the safe transport within Georgia of hazardous materials such as poisons, acids, nuclear wastes, and explosives.
The Commission has continued its commitment to preserving rail service for Georgia's smaller cities and towns by providing its assistance and expertise to local government officials and businessmen who oppose attempts to abandon railroad service. The existence of rail service is a key selling point when communities attempt to attract industry. Consequently, the loss of rail service can permanently damage a town's plans for future growth. Generally, the threat of a proposed abandonment is greatest when it involves small towns in rural areas with an agricultural economic base.
Commission officials have adopted a position of "doing whatever it takes" to keep needed service to these towns, and this year succeeded in keeping needed service to these towns, and in 1984 the Commission successfully fought to preserve rail service to Alma in Bacon County. Many towns are threatened, however, and the Commission must continue its cooperative efforts with local leaders and other state agencies to preserve Georgia's valuable rail system.
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GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS

ROBERT C. (BOBBY) PAFFORD, CHAIRMAN

Elected to the Georgia Public Service Commission in 1970; currently

serving his third consecutive six-year term which expires in 1988. Elected

to two-year post of Chairman by fellow Commissioners in January 1985.

Prior to election to the PSC, he was a member of the Georgia House of

Representatives for Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Echols and Lanier counties

n

from 1963 to 1970. During the Korean conflict, he served as a staff

sergeant with the Army Security Agency. He received a B.S. in Education

from Georgia Southern College in 1951 and was named its 1973 Alumnus of

the Year. He is a member of Kiwanis. Chairman Pafford was born June 7,

1930 in Lakeland (Lanier County) and currently resides near Jackson.

WILLIAM E. (BILLY) LOVETT, VICE CHAIRMAN

Elected to the Public Service Commission in 1978; currently serving

his second consecutive six-year term which expires in 1990. Elected to

two-year post of Chairman by fellow Commissioners in January 1985. Prior

to election to the PSC, he was OChairman of the Laurens County Commission,

vice president of Lovett and Tharpe Hardware Company, and partner of W.H.

Lovett and Son Company. Previously, he was director of the Dublin-Laurens

Chamber of Commerce; legislative chairman of the Association of County

Commissioners; member of National Association of Counties, Leadership

Georgia, Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia

Agri-business Council and Georgia Planning Association. Currently, he is a

member of the Georgia Business Council, Georgia International Trade

Association, Georgia Industrial Research Association and the Capital Area

Kiwanis Club. He attended Georgia State University and Abraham Baldwin

Agricultural College and is the author of several publications concerning

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energy issues. Vice Chairman Lovett was born October 12, 1945 in Douglas,

Georgia and currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Sandra Kay, and

their two children.

FORD B. SPINKS

Appointed to the Public Service Commission in 1971 to replace deceased Commissioner Walter McDonald. He was elected in 1972 to fill the remaining four years of Commissioner McDonald's term; He was re-elected in 1976 and 1982. He served as chairman in 1981 and 1982. Prior to his appointment to the Commission, he was a Georgia state senator from 1972 to 1971. He is chairman of the board of directors of South Georgia Banking Company, Omega. He served with the U.S. Army occupation forces in Europe in 1945 and 1946 and was recalled for active duty during the Korean Conflict. He is former chairman of the Georgia Agrirama Authority and a former member of the Georgia Reciprocity Committee. Currently, he is a member of the NARUC Natural Gas Committee, the SEARUC Executive Committee and the NARUC Advisory Council of the Gas Research Institute. Commissioner Spinks attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and graduated from Norman College in Norman Park, Georgia. He was born April 5, 1927, and currently resides near Tifton with his wife, Ruby Lee. They have three children.

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JIM HAMMOCK Appointed, to the Public Service Commission in 1980 to repla.ce deceased
Commissioner William Kimbrough. In that year, he was elected to a full^ six-year term. He served as vice chairman in 1983 and 1984. Prior to his appointment, he was a Dublin businessman and a board member of the Georgia Department of Human Resources, serving as vice chairman for two years. He was manager of operations in the Southern United States for the Fertilizer and LP Gas Division of Standard Oil of Indiana/Amoco for 13 years. He attended N.W. State College in Natchitoches, La. and Mercer University in Macon, Ga. He was born December 1, 1933 in Houston County, Ga., and currently lives in Atlanta with his wife, Ramona. They have three daughters. GARY BLAYLOCK ANDREWS
Appointed to the Public Service Commission in 1985 to serve the unexpired term of Commissioner Mac Barber, who resigned. Prior to his^ appointment, he served as Superior Court Judge for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit in Northwest Georgia. From 1976 to 1980, he was employed in private law practice and as a special assistant attorney general for the State Law Department in Atlanta and Chickamauga. He received a BBA in accounting from the University of Georgia in 1968 and a Juris Doctor degree from the UGA College of Law in 1971. He is a 1981 graduate of the National Judicial College. He is a member of Phi Delta Phi National Scholastic Honor Society, Beta Alpha Psi National Honor Accounting Fraternity, State Bar of Georgia, Lookout Mountain Bar Association and Council of Superior Court Judges. He was born October 30, 1946 in Chattanooga, Tenn. He resides in Chickamauga with his wife, Roseann and their three children.
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

1877 1879
1880 1886 1887 1890 1891

In a landmark decision, Munn vs. Illinois, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the authority of state regulation. The Court held that state police powers gave states the authority to regulate the rates and service of privately owned business enterprises which are "affected with a public interest."
The Georgia General Assembly created the Railroad Commission of Georgia. The Railroad Commission was established to regulate railroad freight and passenger rates and was given some authority to regulate service and operations of railways in Georgia. The Railroad Commission consisted of three members, appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, serving six--year terms.
The first order of the Georgia Railroad Commission establishing a scale of rates for railroad companies was issued.
In Wabash etc. Railroad vs. Illinois, the U.S. Supreme Court confined the states' rate setting jurisdiction to intrastate transactions. The Court held that the commerce clause of the Constitution delegated jurisdiction over interstate commerce to the federal government.
Congress adopted the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which established federal regulation over interstate activity through the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Following the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Georgia Railroad Commission was specifically directed to present to the ICC any conditions involving interstate rates that the state Commission felt would be of interest to or have an effect upon the citizens of the state of Georgia.
Some significant events that took place this year broadened and strengthened the Railroad Commission's jurisdiction considerably:
-- Telegraph and express companies were statutorily placed under the Railroad Commission's jurisdiction. This expansion of authority was the first enlargement of the Commission's jurisdiction to include public utilities other than railroads.
-- The Georgia Legislature first placed the responsibility of public service on the Railroad Commission by giving it the authority to require construction and location of freight and passenger depots.
-- The Railroad Commission was first authorized to institute suits for violation of its rules and invoke the penalties provided in the original statute.
-- The Railroad Commission received authority to inspect railroad tracks and to require that they are safely maintained.

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1905 1906 1907
1922
1925 1931 1933 1934

--The Railroad Commission's jurisdiction was extended to cover railroad companies' storage charges and to require railroad companies to trace freight shipments under certain conditions.
-- The Railroad Commission was empowered with authority to prevent unjust discrimination between railroad companies.
A Legislative Act empowered the Railroad Commission to require prompt and adequate service of freight.
The Georgia Assembly amended the original 1879 act to provide that membership on the Commission would be filled by statewide general election, rather than by appointment, in an effort to ensure that the members would be responsive and accountable to the Georgia electorate. The term of office remained fixed at six years.
Membership on the Commission was expanded from three to five members. To be a commissioner, one must be at least 30 years old and eligible to vote in Georgia.
The Railroad Commission's powers were broadened to include street railroads; docks and wharves; cotton compresses; telephone, gas and electric light and power companies; and terminal companies.
The Commission's power was expanded, giving it authority to require an extension of the physical properties of the companies under its jurisdiction.
The Commission acquired jurisdiction to control the issuance of stocks and bonds by companies under its regulation.
The General Assembly changed the Commission's name to the Georgia Public Service Commission to reflect the wider variety of services and companies regulated by the Commission.
Utilities under Commission regulation w e r e _required to pay a fixed fee to cover the Commission's expenses. This sum was set at $70,000 per year, divided among the various utilities subject to regulation in proportion to their total taxable values (assets). In previous years, the Commission's expenses were paid from the general treasury.
The PSC's jurisdiction was extended to include motor buses and trackless trolleys.
Private and contract carriers operating "for hire" and other common carriers were placed under PSC jurisdiction.
The Legislature amended the Contract Carriers Act of 1931 to exempt from regulation rural mail carriers hauling no more than five passengers between points upon a route.
In Nebbia vs. New York, the U.S. Supreme Court virtually broke all bars limiting the public utility concept and regulatory objectives. This historic decision affirmed the right of the state
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1937 1938 1939 1943
1945 5 I
I 1950
1
1957
1l
e I

to declare any type of business sufficiently "affected with the public interest" to be brought under public regulation, and it upheld the right of regulation designed to protect producers as well as consumers. Henceforth,regulation would be concerned with protecting the profits or vested interests of established concerns because, it was believed, the protection of profits would lead to stability in an industry and assure consumers of adequate quantity and quality of service.
Motor Carrier Acts were amended to permit suits to be instituted jointly against insurance companies and motor carriers covered by their insurance.
The General Assembly authorized the Commission to consummate reciprocal agreements with other states for fees and licenses of motor vehicles operated by common and contract carriers.
Section 19-205 of the Georgia Code of 1933, providing 222 suspension of any Commissioner from office by order of the governor, was repealed.
Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment giving the PSC constitutional status, a status that has been retained in subsequent constitutions. However, the General Assembly retained the power to provide for the Commission's jurisdiction, powers and duties.
The Legislature approved an Act providing that if any party of record in a matter decided by the Commission in a formal proceeding is dissatisfied with the order or decision of the Commission, the party may request a rehearing, reconsideration and/or oral argument within 10 days after the Commission has issued a decision in writing.
The General Assembly gave the Commission the power to issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity to telephone companies. Pursuant to this authority, the PSC was also given the power to require telephone and motor carrier service and gas distribution to areas in need of service. By giving the Commission this authority, the Georgia Legislature clearly stated its intent to require a level of service to the citizens of Georgia.
Code Section 68-609 applicable to motor carriers was amended, prohibiting the Commission from granting a motor carrier a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity over a route already served until the existing certificate holder has been given reasonable time to remedy any service inadequacies.
The General Assembly created the position of Public Service Commissioner Emeritus. This position is available only for members of the Commission who have reached the age of 65, who have been in continuous service for more than 20 years, and who advises the Governor in writing that he/she desires to resign from the position of Public Service Commissioner. The salary of a Commissioner Emeritus shall be two-thirds that of a Commissioner.
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1960
1963
1964 1970 1972 1973 1975 1978 1981

The Commission was given police powers and authority to delegate to employees the authority to enforce the Motor Carrier Acts and to arrest persons found in violation of those acts.
The responsibility of water distribution jurisdiction was removed from the Public Service Commission, but the PSC was given authority to issue certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity to radio common carriers and radio utility systems.
Dump trucks and transit mixer vehicles in the transportation of sand, gravel, plant mix road materials, and similar loads were exempted from PSC jurisdiction.
_ The PSC was granted full authority to provide rates for contract carriers.
The Commission required all "For Hire" carriers operating solely in interstate commerce to register with the state Commission, regardless of exemptions.
Tow trucks were exempted from PSC regulation.
The Public Service Commission began its gas pipeline safety program following enactment of federal legislation which set up standards for gas operators. The federal law allowed state agencies to participate in safety enforcement by entering into an agreement with the federal Department of Transportation.
The Executive Reorganization Act of 1972 transferred responsibility for enforcing the Commission's motor carrier safety rules and regulations to the Department of Public Safety.
The Commission established the position of executive secretary to direct staff activities.
The Legislature expanded the PSC's power by giving it the authority to enact rules and regulations with regard to and provisions of Title 46 of the Georgia Code. In 1975, the PSC was brought under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The PSC's Motor Carrier Enforcement Division made more than 1,000 arrests, issued over 300 warnings to motor carriers in violation of Commission rules, and collected more than $1.5 million in fees from motor carriers. This money goes to the state's general fund.
Senate Bill 29 was enacted into law, allowing electric utilities to use a fully forecast test year in ratemaking proceedings, as distinguished from the historical test year the Commission normally views. For other utilities, there is no mandate for a particular type of test year. S.B. 29 also created the Utility Finance Section within the Commission's Utility Division. UFS functions as a party in rate and finance proceedings, providing anl independent review of utility company filings.
The Legislature restores the PSC's motor carrier safety authority.!
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The Legislature passed a law placing private carriers under the PSC*s jurisdiction for safety regulation. Governor Joe Frank Harris issued a resolution proclaiming the PSC the state's lead agency to- administer the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. This action was an important step in making the PSC eligible for federal funds which enhanced its safety-related functions. These actions, coupled with the adoption by the PSC of federal hazardous materials transportation regulations, marked a major
effort to improve highway safety in Georgia.

GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE T
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UTILITIES DIVISION
The Utilities Division consists of four sections -- three operating and one support section. These are: Accounting and Auditing, Engineering, Utilities Finance, and Staff Support. A separate account of each of the operating sections follows. At the end of this chapter, there is a listing of cases handled by the Utilities Division in 1984.
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING
This division is supervised by the Director of Accounting and Auditing and consists of two sections with a Section Supervisor (Audit Manager I) over each. The primary objective of the unit is the development of an audit and investigatory capability to provide the Commission with the information necessary to implement, control, and enforce compliance of Commission regulatory policies. The division's primary goals are: (1) non-reactive financial audits of each regulated utility at least once every two years, (2) immediate follow-up of audit exceptions and annual audits of problem utilities, (3) follow-up focused operations audits of electric utilities, and (4) administration of outside audits by Consultants. This division consist of two sections: (1) Prime Energy and Communications.
Prime Energy
The Prime Energy Section's primary goals are: (1) timely audits of each Purchased Gas Adjustment and fuel cost recovery filing, (2) reactive audits of all energy utility rate and finance cases, and (3) non-reactive focused audits of each energy utility annually. The primary objectives of the unit are: (1) to provide the Commission with the information necessary to successfully determine just and reasonable energy rates and (2) to provide the Commission with the necessary information to implement and enforce regulatory policy for energy companies.
In 1984, this section performed one (1) reactive audit, twenty-two (22) purchased gas adjustment verifications, eight (8) fuel cost recovery audits, five (5) purchased gas adjustment field audits and fourteen (14) physical plant audits. There were two special investigations conducted by the Prime Energy staff. Theses concerned coal contracts and nuclear fuel. In addition, the staff participated in a joint effort with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission auditors in an annual audit of Savannah Electric and Power Company.
Communications
The Communications Section's primary goals are: (1) reactive audits of all communications rate and finance cases, (2) non-reactive financial audit of communications companies at least once every two years, (3) annual audits of "problem companies", and (4) timely follow-up audits of all audit exceptions. The primary objectives of the unit are: (1) to provide the Commission with information necessary to successfully
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determine just and reasonable service rates, and (2) to provide the Commission with the necessary information to implement and enforce regulatory policy for communications companies.
In calendar year 1984, the Communications section performed ten (10) audits. One audit was a routine financial investigation, eight (8) were reactive to rate cases filed by telephone companies and one (1) investigation was in response to a high number of customer complaints concerning deposit policies and possible service rule violations. In addition to performing financial audits, this section was requested to perform the analysis of one telephone rate case and assist in the analysii of two other cases because of the heavy rate case workload placed on the Utilities Division in 1984. As in 1983, this section has suffered the loss of four positions due to budget cutbacks and has been operating with only one field audit team, as opposed to two field audit teams in prior years. This situation has caused the routine audit schedule to be slipped in order to conduct the high-priority reactive audits.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The purpose of the Engineering Division is to provide the Commission with professional guidance, technical assistance and advice necessary to fulfill its legal duties of regulating utilities in respect to technical engineering resources, system planning and construction and utility operation.
The major objectives of this division are as follows:
1. To determine that adequate system planning exists; 2. To ensure that construction conforms to plans; 3. To determine that plant in service is providing adequate and
reliable utility service to consumers; and 4. To ensure that utilities are operating within the confines of
the territorial assignment as determined by the Commission.!
The Division consists of four sections: Natural Gas, Telephone, Electric and Radio Common Carrier.
Natural Gas Section
The Natural Gas Section has two major functions; system operations anl planning and gas safety. The Systems Operations Group monitors the qualitj of service, certification, system planning and construction. The Gas Safety group is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the system's construction and maintenance result in safe, reliable service fol customers. The Cathodic Protection program is one of the programs monitored by this group.
One little-known but very important function of the Public Service Commission is its active promotion of gas pipeline safety. The PSC's Gas I Safety Section is responsible for enforcing safety regulations for natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities, and distribution systems!
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within Georgia -- stretching from the "take point" or station off the interstate transmission line to each customer's meter.
The Commission has total jurisdiction over two investor-owned natural gas distribution companies: Atlanta Gas Light Company and United Cities Gas Company. It also has partial jurisdiction over 26 of the 88 municipally owned natural gas systems. Approximately 90 small gas operators (master-metered housing authorities) are voluntarily reviewed for compliance with safety regulations.
The Commission's involvement with pipeline safety began in 1970, following enactment by the U.S. Congress of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, which established safety standards for gas systems. This law also allowed state agencies to participate in safety enforcement by entering into an agreement with the federal government to operate its Gas Safety Office. In 1984, the PSC received $76,750 in federal matching funds for gas safety. Calendar year 1984 marked the fourteenth year the Commission has participated in the gas safety program.
Systems under the Commission's jurisdiction consist of more than 500 miles of transmission lines and over 18,000 miles of transmission lines which transport one-third of Georgia's energy supplies to 1.5 million customers.
The Commission's program is largely preventive. In 1984, the Commission's three inspectors and one engineer traveled more than 150,000 miles and performed 465 separate inspections. They found 107 safety or technical violations. All have been corrected. (The Commission has authority to fine operators under its jurisdiction up to $1,000 per day per incident, up to $100,000.)
While inspections are an important part of the Commission's duties, the PSC also investigates natural gas accidents. Training and information programs and activities are also integral parts of the Commission's commitment to safety. The PSC, in conjunction with the Georgia Municipal Association, sponsored a three-day pipeline safety seminar in Albany, Georgia July 9-11, 1984. This is a technically-oriented program conducted for the benefit of all natural gas operators in Georgia, and it provides training in plastic pipe fusion, leak detection, cathodic protection, valve maintenance and other safety topics. More than 175 people attended the seminar.
Only those portions of a municipal system that are outside the utility's home county are subject to PSC regulation. However, the Commission stands ready to help municipal gas operators by performing voluntary inspections and making recommendations in addition to its co-sponsorship of the pipeline safety seminar.
Telephone Section
The Telephone Section's primary objectives are to ensure that the telephone systems in Georgia are adequately planned, properly constructed, rendering proper service quality and meeting certification boundaries. This section is also responsible for depreciation and extended area service studies, and regulation of telephone service observing.
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This section answered 975 complaint/information calls and handled 163 complaint/information letters. There were 31 field trips or outside investigations made in connection with various complaints, including six audits and one inspection of continuing property records. The Telephone Engineering staff conducted one depreciation study during 1984.
Eight office inspections were made to examine telephone service observing equipment. Six applications for a license to use telephone observing equipment were received. All of them were approved and a licenses were issued.
Prompted by federal and state regulation aimed at promoting competition in the telecommunications area, the Commission certificated three interexchange carriers to provide interLATA intrastate long distance! telecommunications services in Georgia: Microwave Communications Inc. (MCI), GTE/Sprint Communications Corporation, and Microtel Inc.
During 1984, two Extended Area Service studies were analyzed: Bulloch County and Jefferson County, countywide.
Telephone Section personnel attended several training programs and seminars. Of special note is staff participation in a National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) audit of Bell Communications Research (BellCore). This was the first such audit ever performed on this research organization.
Radio Common Carrier Section
The Radio Common Carrier Section is responsible for overseeing quality! of service, territorial certification and to ensure that the utilities have adequate planning and construction, and have the equipment necessary I to serve customers' needs. The RCC Section engineer is responsible for administration of requests for Commission authority for radio common carriers, such as paging services and mobile telephone companies.
These responsibilities include investigation and assessment of all applications for radio utility certificates of public convenience and necessity for the provision of basic radio utility service to a defined geographical service area, as well as requests for authority to acquire, merge, or otherwise change ownership in an RCC operation.
This section conducts engineering audits to determine the general quality of radio utility service rendered throughout certificated service areas. Two such audits were conducted in 1984.
In 1984, nine formal docketed certificate matters were heard and decided. Eleven non-docketed RCC tariff revisions were decided. One general rate increase application was filed, suspended and dismissed for want of prosecution.
Two formal Rule Nisi (Show Cause) cases were assigned for hearing concerning failure to comply with Commission rules. Over 800 inquiries and! requests for technical assistance were handled in 1984.
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The Electric Section
The Electric Section's objectives are to examine system planning and . construction programs of the major electric utilities to determine economic feasibility, and to administer quality of service studies and territorial certification. This section also handles more technically oriented consumer complaints.
These duties include evaluating fossil fuel generating facilities in relation to outages and preventive maintenance programs, and evaluating hydroelectric generating facility maintenance. This section also determines the accuracy of in-service electric meters in specific instances, and audits records assure billing accuracy for outdoor lighting customers of regulated electric companies.
Approximately 65 written complaint/information letters were answered by the Electric Section, in addition to 58 complaint/information calls. There were 33 field trips made, in addition to attendance at five training and informational meetings.
UTILITY FINANCE
The Utility Finance Section is a relatively new area which was created by the General Assembly in 1981, and has been functioning since January, 1982. The primary function of this section is that of preparing and presenting the Commission Staff's position in all utility rate proceedings. There are additionally a number of secondary responsibilities such as: finance proceedings for all investor utilities as well as rural electric membership corporations, hearings on electric fuel adjustments, analysis of purchased gas adjustments for regulated natural gas companies, and a myriad of both routine and special reports or studies. In addition to these responsibilities, the Utility Finance Section has accepted the responsibility of developing the staff's data processing activities.
The statutory duties of this section are as follows:
(a) Preparing a budget for the section for submission by the Director to the Director of Utilities to secure the necessary appropriations to finance the activities of the section.
(b) Investigating the rates and auditing the books and records of any electric utility other than transportation utilities, municipal electric systems, and electric membership corporations, when so directed by the Director of Utilities.
(c) Appearing in any proceeding to determine rates of an electric utility. In such capacity, the section shall:
(1) Form an independent evaluation concerning whether the electric utility rates in question are just and reasonable.
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(2) Present testimony by its employees or specially retained experts concerning the electric utility rates in question.
(3) Provide to the Commission all technical assistance, data and calculations concerning the electric utility rates in question as the Commission may require.
(4) Assist the Commission in any judicial review of a Commission determination of the rates of an electric utility.
(5) When it will not interfere with the section's participation I in utility rate proceedings, perform such other duties regarding any utility matter which the Director of Utilities! may establish. This section has also assumed responsibility! for other investor owned utilities in the State such as gas and telephone companies.
The Utility Finance Section has met these statutory duties set forth above by:
(1) examining company filings and if necessary making an independent forecast of revenues, expenses, and rate base to present in rate cases,
(2) preparing detailed financial forecasts and determining if proposed financing is the most economical,
(3) examining fuel cost recovery filings and if necessary presenting I an independent estimate and forecast of system generation, unit fuel cost, system sales, system dispatch, and other elements of fuel cost recovery proceedings,
(4) presenting cost of capital testimony,
(5) examining separation and cost of service studies of the utilities to determine if they are reasonable,
(6) making an independent determination of future financing needs, cash flow, effects of bond ratings, coverage, and other financial! analyses,
(7) examining all accounting data and making independent estimates ofI necessary accounting proforma adjustments such as income taxes, deferrals, capital leases, investment tax credits, accelerated depreciation and other accounting matters.
(8) managing the rate case process by coordinating with Attorney General's Staff, Consumers' Utility Counsel, other parties, outside experts, other Utilities Division Units, and the Director of Utilities.
(9) providing independent analyses of proposed rates and tariffs in rate case filings,
(10) proposing revisions in rate structures to meet developing needs,
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(11) working with Accounting and Auditing Section to develop auditing and accounting procedures which will maximize the effective utilization of Utility Division Staff, and
(12) working with Utilities Engineering to determine financial impact of alternate system plans.
Since its beginning, this section has carried a consistent workload which has included, rate cases for major utilities such as Georgia Power Company, Southern Bell Telephone Company, Atlanta Gas Light Company, and Savannah Electric and Power Company; rate cases for other utilities such as United Cities Gas Company, General Telephone Company, and Continental Telephone Company; numerous small telephone rate cases; fuel adjustment cases for Georgia Power Company and Savannah Electric and Power Company; mergers involving gas and telephone companies; financing cases for the major companies as well as smaller investor owned companies and rural electric utilities; tracking of rates of return for the major utilities, participation in judicial review of the Commission's decisions, and various studies and analyses, as have been assigned by the Director of Utilities, the Executive Secretary, or the Commissioners.
The Utility Finance Section met its workload in 1984 with the modest staff of seven professionals:
1 Assistant Director 2 Engineers 1 Economist 1 Separations Consultant 1 General Consultant 1 Analyst

UTILITY RATE CASES -- 1984

DOCKET NUMBER

COMPANY NAME

DATE

DATE

REQUESTED DECIDED

3432-U 3443-U 3448-U 3462-U 3464-U 3465-U 3467-U 3483-U 3486-U 3495-U 3514-U

THE UTELWICO

10-14-83

EMPIRE TELEPHONE 10-26-83

PUBLIC SVC. TEL. 12-20-83

CONTINENTAL TEL. 2-29-84

HART COUNTY TEL. 3-29-84

SOUTHERN BELL

3-30-84

ATLANTA GAS LIGHT 4-02-84

FAIRMOUNT TEL.

7-27-84

PINELAND TEL. COOP 8-23-84

ELLIJAY TEL.

10-05-84

AT&T COMM.

12-01-84

(reduction)

I - interim; F - final

4-12-84 4-25-84 6-19-84 9-20-84 9-26-84 9-26-84 9-25-84 1-15-85 2-19-85 4-16-85 1-15-85 I 5-07-85 F

AMOUNT REQUESTED (0001s)
$ 95 552 191
4,025 714
112,065 44,553 80 378 667 -8

' -24

AMOUNT AWARDED (000's)
82 269 184 2,261 257 34,661 20,599
34 378 528
-8

UTILITY DIVISION CASES

1984

The following pages contain brief descriptions of the cases handled byl the Utilities Division in 1984.

GAS DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS GAS NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS ELECTRIC DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS ELECTRIC NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS TELECOMMUNICATIONS NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS

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GAS DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS

Docket Number
3447-U
3469-U
3467-U 3467-U 3467-U

DDecaidteed
1-11-84
5-1-84
9-26-84 12-7-84 1-15-85

Subject of Application
Application of United Cities Gas Company for an order authorizing the issuance and sale of not more than 54,162 shares of Common Stock of the par value of $3.33 1/3 per share for the acquisition of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock of Town Gas Company of Illinois.
Disposition: Approved as requested.
Application of Atlanta Gas Light Company for authority to issue and sell securities.
Disposition; Commission authorized company to issue up
to 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock to be exchanged for $20,000,000 principal amount of its First Mortgage Bonds.
Application of Atlanta Gas Light Company for authority to increase rates for gas service.
Disposition: Company requested $44,553,000; Commission
approved $20,599,000.
Petition of Atlanta Gas Light Company for reconsideration, rehearing and oral argument.
Disposition: Commission approved oral argument.
Application of Atlanta Gas Light Company for authority to increase rates for gas service.
Disposition: Commission revised the approved award from
$20,599,000 to $22,274,000.

Date Decided
2-7-84
10-24-84

GAS NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS
Subject of Application
Request of Atlanta Gas Light Company for written authorization permitting negotiations for sale of securities prior to submission of formal application for exemption from competitive bidding requirements of Paragraphs of Rule 515-4-1-.15 of the stock and bond application rules of the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Disposition: Approved Company's request.
Request of Atlanta Gas Light Company for written authorization permitting negotiation for sale of securities prior to submission of formal application for exemption from the competitive bidding requirements of Paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of Rule 515-4-1-.15 of the stock and bond application rules of the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Disposition: Approved Company's request.

26-

Docket Number
3450-U 3368-U
3457-U
3457-U 3488-U 3479-U

ELECTRIC DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS

Date Decided
1-6-84 3-6-84
5-29-84
8-28-84 6-6-84 6-19-84

Subject of Application
Complaint of Jefferson Electric Membership Corporation regarding Georgia Power Company's Optional Interruptible Service Schedule OI-l.
Disposition: Commission found that Rate Schedule OI-l is
just, reasonable and nondiscriminating in light of the nature, amount and timing of service to be rendered.
Application of Georgia Power Company for authority to issue and sell up to $125,000,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds; to issue up to $33,016,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds for Sinking Fund purposes; and to borrow up to $75,000,000 from the Development Authorities of Appling, Coweta, Heard and Monroe Counties, Georgia to finance Pollution Control Facilities and, as security for such borrowing, among other alternatives to issue and deliver a related principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds.
Disposition: Commission authorized the execution of a
Loan Agreement with and a Promissary Note to Development Authority of Monroe County, Georgia.
Application of Georgia Power Company for authority to issue and sell up to $450,000,000 principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds; to issue and sell up to $100,000,000 Preferred Stock and to borrow up to $200,000,000 from the Development Authorities of various counties in Georgia to finance Pollution Control Facilities and, as security for such borrowing among other alternatives to issue and deliver a related principal amount of First Mortgage Bonds.
Disposition: Commission denied application.
Supplemental record submitted on 7-26-84.
Disposition: Commission approved the issuance and sale
of up to $150,000,000 principal amount of pollution control bonds and authorized the company to borrow up to $150,000,000 from the Development Authorities of certain counties in Georgia to finance pollution control facilities.
Application of Georgia Power Company for a Fuel Cost Recovery Allowance.
Disposition: Commission approved a rate of 1.90080 per KWH.
Application of Savannah Electric and Power Company for a Fuel Cost Recovery Allowance.
Disposition: Commission approved an allowance of 2.48000
per KWH.

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Number
3468-U
3457-U

Decided
8-7-84
12-5-84

Subject of Application
Petition for reconsideration of Georgia Power Company's Fuel Cost Recovery Allowance.
Disposition: Request denied.
Request by Georgia Power Company to delay the issuance and sale of $50,000,000 of preferred stock.
Disposition; Commission granted request.

Date Decided
2-19-84 3-20-84 4-3-84 4-3-84 5-1-84

ELECTRIC NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS
Subject of Application
Application of Jefferson Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,916,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,302,083 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Rayle Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,125,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $959,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Coastal Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $972,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $416,100 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Coastal Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $972,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $416,100 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,575,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $710,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities

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Date Decided
5-1-84 5-1-84 5-15-84 5-15-84 6-5-84 6-5-84 6-19-84

Subject of Application

Cooperative Financ Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Upson County Electric Membership Corporation for approval

of Notes of $873,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of

America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of

$394,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities

Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said

lDenisdpeorssititoon:be

secured by Approved.

a

common

mortgage.

Application of Hart County Electric Membership Corporation for approval
of Notes of $1,523,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of
$687,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Savannah Electric and Power Company for approval of Street Lighting Service - Schedule LG-1 and Unmetered Outdoor Lighting - Schedule LP-1.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Altamaha Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,623,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of
America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of
$732,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate noteto each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Sumter Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,650,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of
$744,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Jackson Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $10,127,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of
$4,568,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Carroll Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $3,801,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of

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Date Decided
6-19-84 7-3-84 7-17-84 8-7-84 8-14-84 8-14-84

Subject of Application
America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,715,083 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,226,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $553,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Washington Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,686,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,212,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $4,115,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,876,755 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Petition of Gulf Power Company for declaratory order concerning applicability of O.C.G.A.46-2-28.
Deposition: Commission ruled that it does not have jurisdiction over
electric utilities which purchase power plants located in the State of Georgia but which do not have retail customers in Georgia.
Application of Amicalola Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $3,589,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,636,223 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of The Little Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $774,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $349,474 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

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Date Decided
8-28-84 9-4-84 9-4-84 9-4-84 9-4-84 9-20-84 9-20-84

Subject of Application
Application of Planters Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,322,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,030,309 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Habersham Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,870,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,281,250 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Grady County Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,248,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $545,918 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Ocmulgee Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $910,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $2,928,723 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $6,423,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $2,928,723 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Colquitt Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $2,921,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $1,304,167 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with aseparate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Oconee Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,283,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $572,917 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities

-31-

Date Decided
9-20-84 10-24-84 10-24-84

Subject of Application

Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Canoochee Electric Membership Corporation for approval

of Notes of $1,648,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of

America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of

$735,417 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities

Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said

lDenisdpeorssititoon:be

secured by Approved.

a

common

mortgage.

Application of Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,769,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $797,895 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation for approval of Notes of $1,934,000 to be executed in favor of the United States of America, acting through the Rural Electrification Administration and of $892,000 to be executed in favor of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation with a separate note to each of said lenders to be secured by a common mortgage.
Disposition: Approved.

Docket Number
3442-U
3441-U

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS

Date Decided
2-7-84
2-7-84

Subject of Application
Application of Carolinas RCC, Inc. for authority to acquire control of Radio Utility Systems in and around the Savannah and Statesboro, Georgia area known as Georgia Paging Company and for authority to do all things required to effectuate ownership, control and management of those systems as set forth in the application and for a Declaratory Order.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Tallahassee Communications, Inc. for authority to acquire the capital stock of Porta-Phone, Inc., a radio utility system in Thomasville, Georgia, and for authority to do all things required to effectuate ownership, control and management of that system as set forth in the application. Disposition: Approved.

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Docket Number
3432-U 3455-U
3454-U
3443-U 3463-U
3463-U
2618-U
3446-U/ 3451-U

Date Decided
4-12-84 4-17-84
4-17-84 4-25-84 5-1-84 5-1-84 5-14-84 5-31-84

Subject of Application

Application of The Utelwico, Inc. to increase rates for telephone service.
Disposition: Company requested $95,124; Commission
approved $82,000.

Application of Prestwood Communication Company for authority to acquire by purchase that radio utility system located in Augusta, Georgia presently owned and operated by James G. Prestwood, Jr. and for a new Radio Utility Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for one way signalling and two-way mobile radio utility service.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Prestwood Communications Company to amend Radio Utility Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 69 to provide a radio utility service to a geographically expanded territory in the Augusta, Georgia area.
Disposition: Approved.

Application of Empire Telephone Comapny to increase rates for telephone service.
Disposition: Company requested $551,731; Commission
approved $269,000.

Application of Great Southern Communications Company,

R. Dean Lee and Farnell O'Quinn for authority fo acquire

control of a radio utility system in Brunswick, Georgia and

for authority to effectuate ownership, control and

mDiasnpaogseitmioenn: t

of that system Approved.

as

set

forth

in

the

application.

Application of Great Southern Communications Company, R. Dean Lee and Farnell O'Quinn for authority to acquire
control of a radio utility system in Jesup, Georgia and for authority to effectuate ownership, control and management of that system as set forth in the application.
Disposititon: Approved.

Application of Southern Georgia Communications, Inc. for clarification of authority in Certificate No. 38 to provide
a radio utility one-way signalling and a two-way mobile radio communications service in the Jesup, Georgia area.
Disposition: Authorized radio utility one-way signalling and
two-way mobile radio communciations service.

Application of MCI Telecommunications Corporation and GTE Sprint Communciations Corporation for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necesssity to provide intrastate toll service.
Dispositon: Commission issued a procedural order.

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Docket Number
3334-U
3476-U 3448-U 3472-U 3446-U 3451-U 3462-U 3456-U
3491-U

Date Decided
6-5-84
6-19-84 6-19-84 7 - 17-84 7-17-84 7-17-84 8-28-84 8 - 28-84
9-4-84

Subject of Application
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company vs. Standard Telephone Company.
Disposition: Commission issued a supplemental order
staying the original order until December 31, 1984 and if the Federal Communications Commission has not reassigned the construction permit by December 31, 1984, Standard shall immediately discontinue operation of the paging transmitter located in the City of Atlanta.
Application of General Telephone Company of the Southeast for authority to issue and sell at the par value of $25 per share 600,000 shares of its common stock and to apply the proceeds to repay short-term loans and for other purposes.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of Public Service Telephone Company for an increase in rates and charges for telephone service.
Disposition: Commission approved designated rates to
provide relief on an interim basis.
Application of Hart County Telephone Company for authority to borrow up to $2,000,000 from the Citizens and Southern National Bank, Hartwell, Georgia.
Disposition: Approved.
Application of MCI Telecommunications Corporation for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Toll Lines.
Disposition: Approved inter-LATA authority.
Application of GTE-Sprint Communications Corporation for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Toll Lines.
Disposition: Approved inter-LATA authority.
Application of Continental Telephone Company of the South-Georgia for an increase in rates and charges for telephone service.
Disposition: Company requested $4,024,662; Commission
approved $1,738,000.
Application of Local Area Telecommunications, Inc. for a Radio Utility Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to provide a Digital Electronic Message Service (DEMS) (One-Way Signalling Service) to the Atlanta, Georgia area.
Disposition: Approved a restricted certificate.
Citation of Raco, Inc. for failure to file 1983 Uniform Annual Report as required by Commission Rule 515-3-1.04(1).
Disposition: Ordered Company to appear at public hearing
to answer citation.
34-

Docket Number
3490-U
3480-U 3462-U
3458-U 3464- U 3489-U 3462-U 3478-U 3465-U 3334-U

Date Decided
9-4-84
9-4-84 9-20-84
9-25-84 9-26-84 10-10-84 12-5-84 12-5-84 12-5-84 12-18-84

Subject of Application
Citation of Communications Electronics Center, Inc. for failure to file 1983 Uniform Annual Report as required by Commission Rule 515-3-1-.04(1).
Disposition: Ordered Company to appear at public hearing
to answer citation.
Application of Hawkinsville Telephone Company for authority to borrow up to $1,500,000 from the Citizens and Southern National Bank, Macon, Georgia.
Disposition: Approved.
Reconsideration of application of Continental Telephone Company of the South-Georgia for an increase in rates and charges for telephone service.
Disposition: Company requested $4,024,662; Commission
revised award from $1,738,000 to $2,261,452.
Application of Microtei, Inc. for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for toll lines.
Disposition: Approved inter-LATA authority.
Application of Hart County Telephone Company to increase rates and charges for telephone service.
Disposition: Company requested $714,381; Commission
approved $257,450.
Application of Public Service Telephone Company and The Utelwico, Inc. for authority to merge.
Disposition: Approved.
Petition for reconsideration, rehearing and oral argument by Continental Telephone Company of the South Georgia.
Disposition: Denied.
Application of Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company for Section A24 General Subscribers Service Tariff Revision (911 Emergency Service).
Disposition: Approved.
Petition for reconsideration, rehearing and oral argument by Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Disposition: Denied.
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company vs. Standard Telephone Company.
Disposition: Commission extended the order of June 5,
1984 until such time as FCC action on the joint application becomes final or until December 31, 1986, whichever occurs first.

-35-

Date Decided

TELECOMMUNICATIONS NON-DOCKETED PROCEEDINGS Subject of Application

4- 17-84 Application of General Telephone Company of the Southeast for approval of the lease of certain property to AT&T Communications of the Southern States, Inc.
Disposition; Approved.

5- 2-84 Application of Gencom, Inc. for authority to amend Tariff PSC No. 1 to
provide lower rates for multiple users of alphanumeric message service and to increase the quantity of allowable free characters from 250 to between 1000 and 3000 before the application of overcall rates.
Disposition: Approved.

5-10-84

Application of Prestwood Communication Company for authority to amend
Tariff FCC No. 4 to delete provisions for radio equipment rental and maintenance; to provide lower rates for multiple users of paging services; to provide certain optional new service offerings; to provide administrative charges for programming and for restoration charges for service interrupted for nonpayment; and for a 2% per month late payment penalty against past due accounts.
Disposition: Approved.

6- 5-84 Application of Gencom, Inc. for authority to amend Autophone's Tariff PSC No. 1 to delete all provisions for equipment rental and maintenance and to provide an optional numeric display paging service.
Disposition: Approved.

7- 3-84 Application of Georgia Paging Company for authority to provide new service offering consisting of Digital Display Paging.
Disposition: Approved.

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MOTOR CARRIER TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
The Georgia Public Service Commission has the responsibility of ensuring that the public has a viable and safe transportation system for shipping and receiving freight; maintaining a healthy bus transportation system for the convenience of travelers; providing protection to the public by requiring all motor carriers under its jurisdiction to retain on file with the Commission evidence of bodily injury and property damage and cargo insurance coverage in at least the minimum amounts prescribed by the Commission, and to provide protection to the public by requiring motor carriers to maintain their vehicles in accordance with the Commission's vehicle safety standards.
The Transportation Division receives and processes all motor carrier applications for certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity; all applications to register interstate operating authority in Georgia; maintains the Commission's motor carrier files; issuance of PSC vehicle registration tags or identification stamps; and enforces the laws of Georgia and rules and regulations of the Commission relative to "for-hire" motor transportation. The Transportation Division is composed of a Director, Director of Compliance and Safety, Assistant to director, three Transportation section supervisors and fourteen employees.
In addition, the Compliance and Safety Section is composed of a Chief Enforcement Officer, two area enforcement supervisors, and fourteen Law Enforcement Officers.
All applications for certificates are handled by the certification section, whose responsibility is to insure that applications are properly and accurately completed; that terminology contained therein coincides with the authority applicant is seeking; that all vague and/or ambiguous terms are clarified or deleted; that the applicant understands what responsibility he or she must assume in presenting a case before the Commission; and to assign applications for public hearing. This section assists the applicant whenever possible. Official Commission actions for 1984 involving the Transportation Division are shown on the following page entitled, "1984 Commission Actions."
Hearings on motor carrier applications are conducted by a Hearing Officer appointed by the Commission, if not by the Commissioners themselves. Normally, motor carrier applications are heard on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, although cases are heard at other times, depending on circumstances.
The Hearing Officer makes the initial decision in motor carrier cases.I Any party dissatisfied with the Hearing Officer's decision has the opportunity to petition the hearing officer for reconsideration of the decision, or reconsideration and oral argument, or rehearing before the Hearing Officer. A party not satisfied with a decision on reconsideration I may petition the full Commission for reconsideration in a similar manner.
-37-

Members of the Transportation Division's staff attend all public hearings before the hearing officer involving motor carrier operations to lend technical assistance when needed. Likewise, members of the staff attend the Commission's administrative sessions to advise and assist the Commission in reaching its decisions in transportation matters before it.

Pursuant to the Commission's decisions in Certification matters, this division notifies applicants of Commission decisions, and if approved, the necessary criteria for becoming qualified to receive a certificate. Once the carrier qualifies with the Commission, the certificate is issued, citing the authority granted.

1(jj

The Transportation Division, in addition to processing all motor

le| carrier insurance filings (100,000-plus per year) and maintaining all

motor carrier files (30,000-plus), handled 4,687 applications registering

or amending interstate authority with the state Commission. This division

also issued all intrastate and interstate PSC motor vehicle registrations,

resulting in the collection of almost $ 3 million in fees, which went to

the state's general treasury. A summary of those collections appears on

the page entitled "Transportation Division" at the end of this chapter.

The Transportation Division continues to function under cooperative agreements between the PSC and the Federal Department of Transportation regarding motor carrier vehicle safety, and with the Interstate Commerce Commission regarding economic enforcement of interstate motor carrier operations to help eliminate illegal transportation practices by certain
carriers and shippers.

: I

In addition to the PSC's responsibility for motor carrier vehicle

safety and for the transportation of hazardous materials by "for hire"

motor carriers, operating both intrastate and interstate in Georgia,

legislation was enacted in 1984 empowering the Commission with similar

authority over corresponding "private" motor operations in Georgia. Also,

T I

the Commission was named by Governor Harris as the lead agency for

participation in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

(MSCAP), whereby federal funds are made available to the agency for the

enhancement of the Commission's motor carrier safety program.

PSC officers are highly trained and have developed expertise in motor

carrier vehicle and hazardous materials transportation safety inspections.

jeJ

During 1984, the enforcement unity conducted approximately 12,000 driver

and vehicle safety inspections resulting in 13,853 "out of service"

violations being detected, which resulted in vehicles or drivers being

placed "out of service."

When vehicles are placed out of service, the defects must be corrected

before the vehicle is allowed to proceed. The person responsible for

repairs must sign the inspection form certifying that repairs were made.

In all instances, a copy of the inspection report, signed by the driver,

3 I

is furnished to the driver with instructions to turn it over to the

responsible person with the carrier firm. The form provides that all

defects, other than "out of service" defects must be repaired and attested

to and returned to the Commission within 15 days of the inspection. If the

1 I

carrier fails to do this, the Transportation Division transmits another

copy of the report direct to the company for its action. If the carrier

-38-

fails to do this, the Commission issues a rule Nisi for the carrier to show cause why the Commission should not assess a civil penalty against it for failure to comply with the Commission's rules and regulations.
The Commission's enforcement officers are assigned specific territories in the state ranging from two counties in the Atlanta area to I as many as 19 counties in the more sparsely populated southwest section of the state. In addition to vehicle and driver safety inspections, the officers make detailed inspections of the general operations of companies under the PSC's jurisdiction to determine if they are performing within the scope of authority granted by the PSC and the ICC, and in accordance with the Commission's rules and regulations and the laws of Georgia relating to "for-hire" motor carrier operations. This includes the day-to-day examination of the regulated carriers' activities throughout their respective territories; conducting investigations of the carriers' service; examination of the carriers' files, books, etc.; inquiries of carriers' personnel and advising carriers when needed or upon request.
During 1984, a number of concentrated road checks were conducted throughout the state, in addition to many other smaller scale checks made at strategic locations. The major road checks ranged from three to five days duration, while the smaller checks lasted from several hours to one or two days. All of the enforcement officers work continuously in their assigned territories and work vigorously to ferret out and eliminate illegal transportation operations; to remove unsafe carrier vehicles from the road; and to call carriers' attention to minor safety deficiencies.
The nature of the illegal operator precludes the establishment of permanent inspection points since Georgia's maze of highways enables the illegal trucker to easily circumvent any such permanent check point, although PSC officers work periodically at all permanent weight stations throughout Georgia, performing both safety and economic inspections. Our officers patrol the highways, investigate industrial sites and examine all other locations where trucks could be operating.
Illegal trucking operations throughout the U.S. siphon off millions of dollars each year from legitimate motor carriers -- those carriers that the public depends on to ship or receive their wares. The PSC's enforcement officers are highly trained in detecting the illegal operator and filtering through fictitious leases, freight bills, logs and other materials that usually go hand-in-hand with such operations.
During 1984, in addition to its safety inspections, the PSC's 16 enforcement officers performed thousands of vehicle inspections for operating authority, proper vehicle registration and identification, resulting in detection of 3,144 violations and collection of $63,600 in "late" vehicle registration fees when vehicles had not been properly registered with the Commission by carriers. PSC enforcement officers were responsible for making 1,315 arrests throughout the state stemming from intrastate or interstate "for-hire" operations in Georgia without proper authority from either the PSC or ICC. These cases resulted in bonds totaling $314,272.23 being posted in the counties where arrests were made. In addition, 232 warnings were issued to carriers operating illegally in Georgia.
39-

Through a cooperative agreement with the Georgia Department of Revenue, PSC officers reported instances where Georgia-based vehicles carried "private" tags, even though they were operating for hire. As a result of the PSC's reports of these improper tags, the Department of Revenue assessed these carriers $29,886.25.
The Transportation Division added computer technology during 1984. Computer hardware was purchased and the staff worked extensively with members of the Department of Administrative Services developing programs to assist the Division's operations. Programs include computerizing information from insurance and vehicle registration records and other information from motor carrier files. These programs dramatically aid this division's day-to-day operations, and the division plans further improvements in this area.
-40-

TRANSPORTATION DIVISION
During the year 1984, the Commission conducted three hundred and sixty public hearings involving the Transportation Division. Public hearings commence on the second and fourth Tuesdays in each month and continue on successive days thereafter until all current applications and petitions have been disposed of. All matters docketed for public hearing are heard by the Hearing Officer in open session.

MOTOR CARRIER CERTIFICATE AND VEHICLE REGISTRATION
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of collecting and account ing for motor carrier certificate, permit and vehicle registration fees. The total certificate, permit and vehicle registration fees collected and remitted to the Fiscal Division, Department of Administrative Services, during the year 1984 are as follows:

JANUARY 1, 1984 TO JANUARY 1, 1985

Certificate fees at $75.00 each (103 - $7,725)

certificate fees at $150.00 each (24 - $3,600)

certificate fees at $200.00 each (40 - $8,000)

certificate amendment fees at $75.00 each (21 - $1,575)

certificate amendment fees at $150.00 each (13 - $1,950)

certificate amendment fees at $200.00 each (51 - $10,200)

certificate transfer fees at $75.00 each (69 - $5,175)

$

38,225.00

Emergency Temporary Authority Application Fees at $50.00 each (30 - $1,500)

$

1,500.00

Registration Permit Fees at $25.00 each (3,866 - $96,650) and amendment fees at $5.00 each (821 - $4,105)

$ 100,755.00

Regular License Fees at $5.00 each (21,905 - $109,525) and penalty license fees at $25.00 each (1,445 - $36,125)

$ 145,650.00

Regular Identification Stamp Fees at $5.00 each (487,978 - $2,439,890.00)
Penalty Stamp Fees at $25.00 each (1,099 - $27,475.00) Emergency Wire Permits at $8.00 each (2,004 - $16,032) Civil Penal ties* (160 - $8,425.00)

$ 2,467,365.00

16,032.00

$

8,425.00

Safety Tractor Stickers at $5.00 each (234 - $1,170.00) Safety Trailer Stickers at $5.00 each (101 - $505.00)

$

1,170.00

$

505.00

$ 2,779,627.00

-41-

1984 COMMISSION ACTIONS

During the year 1984, the following Administrative Session decisions were made by the Commission:

Motor carrier Certificate applications:

Approved...........................................

155

Denied.............................................

11

Withdrawn .........................................

2

Dismissed .........................................

1

Total

169

Certificate transfer applications:

A p p r o v e d .........................................

41

Denied............

1

Withdrawn .........................................

0

Dismissed . ................................... .. .

_3

Total

43

Certificate amendment applications:

Approved...........................................

84

Denied.............................................

3

Withdrawn .........................................

2

D i s m i s s e d .........................................

_0

Total

89

Certificate control through transfer of

capital stock............

10

Total

10

Motor Carrier Emergency Permits........................

30

Total

30

Rules Nisi issued (other than for insurance) ...........

49

Rules Nisi dismissed (other thaninsurance)..............

41

Rules Nisi issued which resulted in fines

(other than insurance). . . . . ...................

_8

Total

49

Certificates cancelled .................................

71

Certificates suspended ....................

347

Certificates reinstated................................. 249

Total

667

Registration Permits Issued...........

3,287

Registration Permits Amended .......................... 1,796

Registration Permits Cancelled (Undetermined).............

0

Total.

4,083

-42-

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, RAIL SERVICE AND TARIFFS DIVISION
In 1984 there was a reorganization within the Georgia Public Service Commission, resulting in the redesignation of the Rates and Tariffs Division as Consumer, Rail Service and Tariffs Division. The new CART division has four sections, consisting of Consumer Affairs, Tariffs and Audits, Railroad Services and Auditing and Finance. The new division handles all telephone, electric, gas, rail, motor carrier and bus tariffs, in addition to the vast majority of consumer complaints. The size of the division has increased from 11 to 20 employees.
During 1984, the Commission and CART officially disposed of 42 formal proceedings, a considerable number of which required lengthy studies and investigations in the field. There were 22 cases which were docketed but subsequently withdrawn prior to formal hearing. In addition, there were 265 non-docket decisions. Included in the formal proceedings, 17 Rule Nisis were issued, and 12 of those resulted in fines totaling $2,250.
A detailed list of CART proceedings begins on the following page.
The Consumer Affairs Section receives and processes customer inquiries, problems and complaints concerning regulated utilities. It serves as mediator in such cases and ensures that utility activities under! the Commission's jurisdiction are in accordance with regulations and policies approved by the Commission. In 1984, Consumer Affairs handled I 8,363 complaints and inquiries, an increase of 235 (2.9 percent) over 1983 totals. A summary of these cases is listed below.

Consumer Affairs Section -- 1984 Statistics

Inquiries Complaints Total Contacts

3,629 4,734 8,363

By Company Telecommunications Southern Bell AT&T General Telephone Independents
Total

2,122 143 202 647
3,114

Electric Companies Georgia Power Savannah Electric
Total

587 24 611

Natural Gas Companies Atlanta Gas Light

1,009

All Complaints

4,734

43.4

Q. "O

of

total

contacts

56.6 % of total contacts

44.8 % of all complaints 3.0 4.3
13.7 65.8

12.4 % of all complaints 0.5 12.9

21.3 % of all complaints

100.0

Q, *0

-43-

RAILROAD FREIGHT RATES & CHARGES
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad requesting authority to establish a new mobile agent route based at Cedartown, Ga. This route will serve the agency station of Rockmart, Georgia together with the non-agency stations of Dallas/ Taylorsville and Aragon, Georgia. The Commission further considered their application to establish a new mobile agent route based at Cedartown, Georgia and approved the above mobile agent on a six month trial basis with the full understanding that the existing type agent service will be restored if the Commission, following the trial period, finds the mobile agent service to be inadequate. This approval was also subject to the provision that the Commission will, during the trial period, conduct a full investigation of the services being rendered and, at the end of such period, take such action as the circumstances warrant, January 3, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to remove and retire Track No. 664-1 at Winston, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, on January 3, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to retire and remove Track Nos. 39-7 and 39-8, formerly serving Athens Lumber Company, Athens, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, January 3, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of southern Railway System for authority to remove Track No. 23-3 at River, (Spalding County), Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, on February 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway System for authority to remove and retire Track No. 47--7 at Woodbury, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, on February 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to waive collection of $17,699.00 in legal undercharges due from Williams Brothers Block Company. The Commission approved the application as filed, on February 7, 1984.
-44-

Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad requesting authority to modify the existing Thomasville mobile agency by the addition of the agency stations at Baconton, Flint and Woodacre, Georgia. The proposed route will cover the agency stations of Meigs, Moultrie, Pelham, Quitman and Camilla, Georgia,along with the non-agency stations of Ochlocknee, Quality, Kingwood, Dixie, Boston, Neward, Dawesville, Baconton, Woodacre, and Flint, Georgia. The Commission has further considered the application to amend the Thomasville mobile agency and has approved this application on a six month trial basis with the understanding that the existing type agency service will be restored if the Commission, follow ing the trial period, finds the mobile agency service to be inadequate. This approval is also subject to the provision that the Commission will, during the trial period, conduct a full investigation of the services being rendered and, at the end of such period, will take such action as the circumstances warrant, February 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire the terminal 1,000 feet of Track No. 226 located at Augusta, Georgia. After due consideration of the exhibits, testimony and evidence presented in connection with the docket, the Commission voted to approve the above application, on February 21, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for autho rity to retire House Track at Bellville, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, on March 20, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire House Track at Metcalf, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, on March 20, 1984.
Application of Seaboard System Railroad requesting authority to dualize two agency stations of Calhoun, Georgia and Chatsworth, Georgia. The Dualized Agent will be based at Dalton, Georgia. The application was assigned for hearing before the Commission on December 15, 1983, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission's Hearing Room. The Commission approved only the agency station of Calhoun and the non--agency stations under juris diction of Calhoun, Georgia to be served under the "Dualization Concept." Chatsworth and the non-agency station under jurisdiction or Chatsworth will remain as an agency station and continue to be operated in the same manner as it is in the present, March 20, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad to establish a second mobile agency to be based at Bainbridge, Georgia. The Commission, in consideration of the complaint received against the proposed mobile agency, has declined to approve the above application without justifi cation for the establishment of this mobile agency at public hearing, April 3, 1984.
-45-

Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for autho rity to discontinue the agency station at Baxley, Georgia, to dismantle or dispose of the station building and to make Baxley a non-agency station covered by Hazlehurst, Georgia. The Commission voted unanimously to deny the above application, April 3, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to refund to K-Mart Corporation $12,597.73 (without interest) and to waive collection from K-Mart Corporation $22,593.49 in undercharges on 17 ship ments of freight all kinds that moved from Savannah to Shenandoah, Georgia, during the period of June 3 through July 5, 1984. The Commission unani mously approved the above application as filed, May 1, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to dispose of the depot building at Austell, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order. May 15, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire the team track at Waynesville, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, June 19, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire the team track at Axson, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, June 19, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railway System and the Seaboard System Railroad to waive collection of $11,612.34 in legal under charges due from Sherwin-Williams at Morrow, Georgia, between the dates of October 30, 1982 through June 22, 1983. The Commission voted unani mously to approve the above application as filed, June 19, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company to discontinue Mobile Agency Route CGA-11 based at Savannah, Georgia. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the above application, June 19, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad to establish a mobile agency serving the agency stations of Woodbine and Kingsland, Georgia, together with the non-agency stations of Seals, White Oak and Waverly, Georgia, with the control or base station for this operation to be at Fernandina Beach, Florida. The Commission approved the mobile agency to be continued on a permanent basis, June 19, 1984.
-46

Application of Seaboard System Railroad to modify its existing mobile agency based at Waycross, Georgia. This modified mobile agency will serve the following agency stations of Folkston, Homerville, Dupont, Nahunta, Blackshear and Patterson-Hoboken, and the non-agency stations of Poletree, Vogel, Manor, Argyle, Cutting, Homestead, Largain and Lavely, with the control or base station for this operation to be at Waycross, Georgia. This application also seeks to transfer Offerman's service from the Waycross agency to the resident agency station at Jesup, Ga. The Commission approved the mobile agency to be continued on a permanent basis, June 19, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to dispose of the depot building at LaFayette, Georgia. Due to no pro tests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, July 3, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to retire and remove track at M.P. S-272.6, formerly serv ing Standard Container Company, Jonesboro, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, September 4, 1984.
Petition for authority to refund ITT Rayonier $3,984.00 and waive collection of $15,072.00 in charges assessed that firm for weighing 794 inbound Southern Railway carloads of pulpwood and pulpwood chips at Doctortown, Georgia, during the period of January 23 through March 5, 1984. The Commission approved the petition as filed, September 4, 1984.
Consider application of Norfolk Southern Corporation, on behalf of Southern Railway Company, to waive collection of $17,820.00 in legal undercharges due from Southern Aggregates, Inc. representing 99 bills on Crushed Granite from Postell, Georgia to Port Wentworth, Georgia, moving between October 22, 1983 to April 25, 1984. The Commission approved the application as filed, September 4, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to remove Scotland, Georgia from the Open and Prepay Tariff. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, September 4, 1984.
Petition of Central of Georgia Railroad Company to remove and retire track at Cut'nbert, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, September 20, 1984.
Application of Atlanta & West Point Railroad Company to retire the terminal 1750 feet at its industrial-connection track located at East Point, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, September 20, 1984.
-47-

Application filed on behalf of Seaboard Systems Railroad Company to remove the Railroad Depot Building presently located at Fairmount, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, September 20, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railroad Company for authority to establish a new mobile agency to be based at Cordele, Georgia. This route will cover the open station as Ashburn and Tifton, Georgia and the non-agency stations of Sycamore, Chula, South Tifton and ElDorado, Georgia. The Commission approved the mobile agency to be continued on a permanent basis on September 20, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to remove and retire Track No. 1-1, formerly serving Fox Manufacturing Company, Rome, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for autho rity to remove and retire Track No. 97-16 at Columbus, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire Track No. VT-2 at Helena, Telfair County, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to remove and retire track formerly serving Empire Lumber Company, Stalco, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway System for authority to remove and retire depot house track 335-3 at Lumber City, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire Team Track No. 4 at Lyons, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad for authority to retire the house track at Seville, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, October 10, 1984.
48-

Petition of Norfolk Southern Corporation on behalf of the Seaboard System Railroad and Southern Railway System to waive collection of $11,642.10 in legal undercharges due from Georgia Kaolin Company re presenting 21 shipments of kaolin clay from Dry Branch, Georgia to Morrow, Georgia, between September 23, 1983 to May 17, 1984. This is to advise that the Commission approved the application as filed, November 7, 1984.
Petition of Seaboard System'Railroad to refund ITT-Rayonier $4,776.00 and waive collection of $14,280.00 in charges assessed that firm for weighing 794 cars at Doctortown, Georgia during the period January 23 through March 5, 1984. This is to advise that the Commission approved the above petition as filed, November 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Georgia Railroad Company for authority to dispose of the Timber Frame Unloading Trestle at South Augusta, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, November 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Seaboard System Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire the Tracks No. 24, including turnout and No. 69 at Valdosta, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, November 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Georgia Railroad Company for authority to remove and retire the old gas track at MP-GF 179.8 at Swainsboro, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, November 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Georgia Railroad Company for authority to remove and retire the Old Wadley Southern Main track at Swainsboro, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of Notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, November 7, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for the authority to remove and retire Track No. 244-2 formerly serving Butler Homes of Georgia at Butler, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, the Commission approved the application as filed, subject to complaint and further order, November 7, 1984.
Petition filed on behalf of the Seaboard Systems Railroad for autho rity to adjust rates and charges on shipments of commodity which move from an origin in Georgia to a destination in Georgia as provided in Seaboard System Railroad, Inc., Contract GPSC-SBD-C-053. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
-49-

Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to remove and retire track formerly serving Albany Warehouse at Albany, Georgia. Due to no protests being received, after proper posting of notice, and after the Commission staff's on-site in spection, the Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Seaboard System Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire Team Track No. SV-137 located at Howells Yard, Atlanta, Georgia. Due to no protests being received, after proper post ing of notice, and after the Commission staff making an on-site inspec tion, the Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Seaboard Systems Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire the House Track at Baconton, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, and after the Commission staff making an on-site inspection, the Commission approved the applica tion as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to remove and retire the Old Durham Iron Company track at Albany, Georgia. Due to no protests being received after proper posting of notice, and after the Commission staff making an on-site inspection, the Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to dispose of the depot building at Metter, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railway Company for authority to dispose of the depot building at Tifton, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to establish a new Mobile Agency Route CGA--12 to be based at Gordon, Georgia. This route will cover the open stations of Covington, Milledgeville, and Eatonton, Georgia, and the non-agency stations of Porterdale, Starrsville, Mansfield, Farrar, Kelly, Newborn, Pancras, State Sanitarium, North Milledgeville, Roberson and Harllee, Goergia. Eatonton is now being served by Route CGA-6 based at Gordon, Georgia. It is proposed that Eatonton be removed from Route CGA-6 and be placed in the new Route CGA-12 based at Gordon, Georgia. The Commission approved the above on a six month trial basis with the full understanding that the existing type agent service will be restored if the Commission, following the trial period, finds the mobile agent service to be inade quate. This approval was also subject to the provision that the Commission will, during the trial period, conduct a full investigation of the services being rendered and, at the end of such period, take such action as the circumstances warrant, December 5, 1984.
-50

Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railway Company (Elberton Southern Railway Company) for authority to remove and retire Track No. P-13-1 at Martin/ Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railway Company (Elberton Southern Railway Company) for authority to remove and retire Track No. P-30-4 at Royston, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 5, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Southern Railway Company for authority to remove and retire Track No. 2-1 at McDonough, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 18, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to retire and remove tracks formerly serving Gibson-- DeJournette, Three Rivers Supply and Battey Machinery, Rome, Floyd County, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 18, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Central of Georgia Railroad Company for authority to retire and remove a portion of the Industrial and depot house tracks at Porterdale, Georgia. The Commission approved the ap plication as filed, December 18, 1984i
Application filed on behalf of the Seaboard System Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire the Team Track at Auburn, Georgia, and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. The Commission approved the application as filed December 18, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of the Seaboard System Railroad for autho rity to retire Team Track No. 1412 at Screven, Georgia and to remove that point from the Open and Prepay Station List. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 18, 1984.
Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for autho rity to dispose of the depot building at Ashburn, Georgia. The Commission approved the application as filed, December 18, 1984.
-51-

BUS FARES AND CHARGES
At the end of 1984, there were 84 certified intrastate passenger carriers operating in the State of Georgia. Eleven of these companies were granted certificates during calendar year 1984.
On July 26, 1984, a hearing was held on application of Service Coach Line, Inc, Trailways Southeastern Lines, Inc., Trailways Tennessee Lines, Inc. and Trailways Tamiami, Inc. to increase their Georgia Intrastate Passenger fares by 25%. No increase was sought on charter or package express rates. The applicants presented testimony and exhibits substantiating the need for such increase. The Commission granted 5.46% increase. However, Trailways, Inc. appealed the Georgia Commission's decision to the Interstate Commerce Commission under the Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982, and were granted the full amount of increase sought.
On May 2, 1984 a hearing was held on application of Greyhound Lines, Inc. to increase their passenger fares and commuter fares by 20%. No increase was sought on express or charter. The applicant presented testimony and ex hibits substantiating their request for an increase. After due consideration of the evidence, the Commission granted a 10% increase.
On January 26, 1984, a hearing was held on application of Trailways Tamiami, Inc., Service Coach Lines, Trailways Tennessee Lines, Inc. and Trailways Southeastern Lines, Inc. to increase their round-trip passenger fares to two times the one-way fare in lieu of the present 190% of the one-way fare. This would result in 10% increase in round-trip fares. They also proposed a spe cial "ticketing charge" in addition to the regular applicable fares which ranged from 50C for a ticket costing less than $10.00 to $5.00 for a ticket costing $75.05 and over. The Commission, after considering all evidence and testimony, denied the carriers request to increase their round trip fares and to apply the special ticketing charge. However, the Commission authorized a 7.5% increase to be applied to the basic passenger fares which produced the same amount of revenue that was proposed by the ticketing charge.
There were 12 applications filed by smaller bus lines in 1984 in which rate increases were granted.
TRUCK RATES AND SERVICES
During 1984 over 1,200 proposals were received by this division and handled informally. The Commission in each case required the involved carriers to support all proposed rate revisions by proper and adequate justification, generally with cost data.
-52-

FORMAL CASES FOR YEAR 1984 ______ (MOTOR CARRIER)___

DOCKET NO.

DATE

SUBJECT

DISPOSITION

11448-M 11496-M 11497-M 11498-M
11500-M
11514- M & 11515- M
11517-M 11518-M

5/2/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Elaine Craig, d/b/a The Apartment Movers for failure to satisfy the complaint of Katheryn Matthews and failure to respond to Commission's staff directive dated August 9, 1983.

Certificate Revoked

12/15/83

Rule Nisi was issued against Omni Express, Inc. for handling C.O.D. shipments without filing a C.O.D. Bond with the Commission and failure to remit C.O.D. collections to consignor within 10 days after effecting delivery of shipment.

Fined $400 2/7/84

1/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Today Transfer, Inc. Fined $250 for operating outside the Scope of Authority granted under Class "C" Certificate No. 3479.

12/15/83

Rule Nisi was issued against Best-Way Delivery

Dismissed

Service for charging and collecting a greater

1/3/84

or lesser amount of compensation for the trans

portation of property or for services rendered

in connection therewith, than the rates published

in Tariff GPSC-MF No. 3 and effective supplements.

12/15/83

Rule Nisi was issued against Bulldog Movers, Inc. Fined $250 for charging and collecting a greater or lesser 1/3/84 amount of compensation for the transportation of property or for services rendered in connection therewith, than the rates published in GMTA Tariff 3-C, GPSC-MF 31 and effective supplements of which Bulldog Movers, Inc. is a participant.

1/26/84

The National Bus Traffic Association, Inc. for and on behalf of Trailways Tamiami, Inc., Service Coach Lines, Trailways Tennessee Lines, Inc. and Trailways Southeastern Lines, Inc. sought auth ority to increase Georgia intrastate round-trip fares to two times the one-way fare and also to establish special ticketing charges.

Denied, but authorized to increase their Georgia intrastate local passenger fares by 7.5%, adjusted to the nearest "O" or "5"

12/15/83

Application of Southern Motor Carriers.Rate. Conference, Agent to.revise rates as published in Items 8200 and 8210 of Supplement 50 to SMCRC Tariff GPSC-SMC 301-C.

Denied 1/3/84

12/15/83

Application of Georgia Motor Trucking Association to revise rates as published in Item 2332 on First Revised Page 22 to GMTA Tariff 10-D, GPSC-MF No. 36.

Denied 1/3/84

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DOCKET NO. 11520-M
11579-M
11580-M 11591-M
11600-M
11601-M 11643-M e I I 11644-M
II
11646--M

DATE

SUBJECT

DISPOSITION

12/15/83

Rule Nisi was issued against James Henry Grant & Brett K. Eastman, d/b/a Chattahoochee Moving Systems for charging and collecting a greater or lesser amount of compensation for the trans portation of property or for services rendered in connection therewith, than the rates published in Tariff GPSC-MF No. 1.

Fined $250 1/3/84

1/26/84

Application of Professional Delivery, Inc. to revise rates as published in Tariff GPSC-MF No. 6.

Suspension vacated due to additional justification furnished.

2/16/84

Application of Georgia Motor Trucking Associa tion to revise rates as published on various revised pages to Tariff 10-D, GPSC-MF 36.

Approved

1/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against M.L. Gazaway, d/b/a M.L. Gazaway Transfer for charging and collecting a greater or lesser amount of compensation for the transportation of property or for services rendered in connection therewith, than the rates published in Tariff GPSC-MF No. 1.

Fined $100

2/16/84

Hearing to consider increasing by 15% the maxi mum hourly rates published in Maximum Rate Tariff No. 1, G.P.S.C.-MF No. 13 applying on Sand, Gravel, Crushed Stone, Rock, Fill Dirt, Borrow Pit Material, Plant Mix Asphalt, Plant Mix Con crete, when in bulk in dump trucks.

Approved

2/16/84

Application of Omni Express, Inc. to revise rates as published in First Revised Page 18B to Tariff GPSC-MF No. 8.

Approved

5/2/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Atlanta Baggage & Express Co. for handling commodities beyond the Scope of Authority granted under Class "B" Certificate No. 5655.

Fined $100

5/2/84

Application filed by the National Bus Traffic Association, Inc., Agent, for and on behalf of Greyhound Lines, Inc. seeking authority to increase Georgia intrastate local passenger fares and multi-ride fares by 20%, adjustedwhere necessary to the nearest "O" or "5".

Denied, but authorized to increase their Georgia intrastate local and interline passenger fares (including commuter fares) by 10% adjusted to the nearest "O" or "5".

5/2/84

Consider the prescription of exact rates to

Pending

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DOCKET NO. 11646-M (cont.)
11647-M 11686-M
11688-M
11690-M 11692-M 11782-M 11783-M 11784-M

DATE

SUBJECT

DISPOSITION

5/2/84

apply on the transportation of Mohil Homes,

Pending

House Trailers, Buildings in sections mounted

on wheeled undercarriages and Modular Buildings

AND to prescribe a Uniform Bill of Lading to

be used in such transportation. (This proposal

DOES NOT include prescription of rates and charges

for any Special Service functions, such as blocking

and unblocking). Said prescribed rates and Bill

of Lading to apply for account of all carriers

holding authority under Class "B" Certificates to

transport subject commodities. Further, said

prescribed rates and Bill of Lading to be contained

in a tariff to be published and maintained by the

Georgia Public Service Commission.

5/2/84

Consider the filing of contracts containing

Pending

schedules of rates, charges and other provisions

in lieu of tariffs by motor carriers operating

under Class "E" Certificates.

5/2/84

Application of Interstate Transport, Inc. to establish rates on Animal Feed Supplements, Insulation, Meat, fresh or frozen, Paper, Commodities as are dealt in by retail and discount stores, Traffic Marking Materials and Asphalt Crack Sealant, as published in Tariff GPSC-MF No. 1.

Suspension vacated on condition that revised publication be filed.

5/2/84

Complaint filed against Sam's Moving & Storage, Inc. by Paul C. Cross on a household goods move because of alleged damaged and missing items, the qualification of the movers employed by Sam's Moving & Storage, Inc. and the alleged lack of a warehouse and insurance.

Dismissed by Hearing Officer without prejudice. Pending in courts.

7/26/84

Application of Highway Transport, Inc. to establish Item 502 (Declaration of Value), Original Page 9-A to GPSC-MF No. 6.

Pending

5/2/84

Proposal to amend Transportation Rule 1-3-1-.09 Pending to provide that all claims for overcharge, loss or damage with respect to the movement of House hold Goods shall be handled to completion within 30 days after claim is filed with the carrier.

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Seacoast Trans-

Fined $100.00

portation Corporation for failure to timely file

1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Modnar Corporation Fined $50.00 for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against North Georgia Bus Lines, Inc. for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.
-55-

Fined $100.00

DOCKET NO. 11787-M 11788-M 11789-M 11790-M 11791-M
11875-M 11876-M 11877-M
11878-M

DATE

SUBJECT

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Atlanta Limousine Airport Services, Inc. for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

DISPOTISION Fined $100.00

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Altamaha Area Community Action Authority, Inc., d/b/a AATS (Altamaha Area Transportation System) for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

Dismissed due to respondent surrendering Certificate on 8/6/84.

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Stage Coach Leasing Company, Inc., d/b/a Stage Coach Chartering Services Company for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

Fined $50.00

7/26/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Thomas Parker, d/b/a South Atlanta Transportation Service for failure to timely file 1983 Annual Revenue and Expense Report.

Dismissed due to respondent having no 1983 revenue.

7/26/84

Application filed by Service Coach Line, Inc., Trailways Southeastern Lines, Inc., Trailways Tennessee Lines, Inc., Trailways Tamiami, Inc. and National Bus Traffic Association, Inc., agent for an on behalf of those carriers sought auth ority to increase Georgia intrastate passenger fares by $496,781.00 or 25%.

Denied, but authorized a 5.46% increase in Georgia intra state local and interline interity passenger fares (including commuter fares) to the nearest "0" or "5".

10/25/84 Application of Southern Motor Carrier's Rate Conference to increase Georgia intrastate rates and charges.

Pending (1985)

10/25/84 Application of Greyhound Lines, Inc. to eliminate Pending

Run 3896, the 5:00 P.M. Atlanta to Athens

(1985)

schedule.

10/25/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Georgia Parcel Service, Inc. for charging and collecting a greater or lesser amount of compensation for the transportation of property or for services rendered in connection therewith, than the rates published in Class "C" Tariff No. GPSC-MF 1 and effective supplements.

Fined $500.00

10/25/84

Rule Nisi was issued against Suddath Van Lines,

Dismissed

Inc., d/b/a Suddath of Savannah, Inc. for charging

a greater or lesser amount of compensation for

the transportation of property or for services

rendered in connection therewith, than the rates

published in Georgia Movers Tariff No. GPSC-MF No.

11 and effective supplements.

-56-

DOCKET NO. 11886-M
11887-M

DATE

SUBJECT

DISPOSITION

10/25/84

Application of Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, Inc. to publish a new rule in Item 183 of Supplement 1 to Tariff GPSC-MF No. 8. The application proposes a new rule stipulating a charge of $3.00 a gallon for the removal of "product heel" in excess of 25 gallons after unloading.

Pending (1985)

10/25/84

Application of Weaver Transportation Company to revise Items 500-B and 900-B of Supplement 13 to Tariff GPSC-MF No. 5. The purpose of the proposal was to increase the charges for idle time and excess stops.

Pending (1985)

806-R & 808-R 814-R 815-R
816-R 817-R
818-R

FORMAL CASES FOR YEAR 1984 ______ (RAIL CARRIER)

10/10/84

Application of Central of Georgia Railroad Company for approval to institute condemnation prodeedings for the purpose of acquiring certain property in Lee County, Georgia.

Denied, but pending in court

12/15/83

Application of Seaboard System Railroad requesting Approved in part authority to dualize two agency stations of Calhoun, 3/20/84 Georgia and Chatsworth, Georgia. The dualized agent would be based at Dalton, Georgiai

12/15/83

Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Rail- Pending road requesting authority to establish a new mobile agent route based at Cedartown, Georgia. The route would serve the agency station of Rockmart, Georgia together with the non-agency stations of Dallas, Taylorsville and Aragon, Georgia.

1/12/84

Application filed on behalf of Southern Railway Company for authority to discontinue the agency station at Baxley, Georgia, to dismantle or dispose of the station building and to make Baxley a non agency station covered by Hazelhurst, Georgia.

Denied

1/26/84

Application filed on behalf of Seaboard System Railroad requesting authority to modify the existing Thomasville mobile agency the the addition of the agency stations at Baconton, Flint and Woodacre, .Georgia. The proposed route would cover the agency stations of Meigs, Moultrie, Pelham, Quitman and Camilla, Georgia along with the non-agency stations of Ochlocknee, Quality, Kingwood, Dixie, Boston, Newart, Dawesville, Baconton, Woodacre and Flint, Georgia.

Pending (1985)

1/26/84

Application of Seaboard System Railroad, Inc. for authority to retire the terminal 1,000 feet of Track No. 226 located at Augusta, Georgia.

Approved

-57-

MOBILE RAIL AGENCY SERVICE

At the close of calendar year 1984, there were 41 Mobile Agency operations in existence within the State of Georgia with base stations located at the following points:

Army Depot Athens Atlanta Bainbridge Bremen Carrolton Chattanooga Cochran Columbus Cordele (East)

Cordele (West) Cordele (South) Dawson Estill, S.C. (Clyo, Ga.) Fernandina Beach Fitzgerald Fort Valley Fulco Gainesville (North)

Gainesville (South) Gordon Griffin Macon (3) Manchester Milien Moultrie Richland Savannah (2)

Tate (North) Tate (South) Thomasville Tifton Toccoa Tucker Valdosta Vidalia #1 Vidalia #2 Waycross

During the year, various inspections were made on the mobile agency opera tion. The inspections were made by personnel from the Consumer Affairs, Rail Service and Tariffs Division to determine if service to the shipping and receiving public was being satisfactorily rendered.

The mobile agency concept of providing service to stations under which an agent can perform the needed service at a savings to the railroad while adequately handling the needs of the shipping and receiving public at involved points continues to be operated with success.

-58-

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