Wednesday, August 15, 2001

Public Service Commission approves escalated natural gas disconnections

The state Public Service Commission has approved Atlanta Gas Light Company's request to increase the number of daily gas customer disconnections and reconnections for nonpayment of service.

The commission decision allows unlimited service reconnections and disconnections provided that the company follows all safety procedures and uses qualified personnel. In addition to disconnecting customers Monday through Thursday of each week, disconnections also will be allowed on Fridays until Nov. 1.

The commission strongly urges consumers who have unpaid natural gas bill balances or have received disconnection notices to make payment arrangements now. Waiting until cold weather arrives could result in longer waiting periods to have gas service restored.

In considering this request, the commission turned down the company's request to redirect payments into the Universal Service Fund to fund the hiring of additional labor to handle the escalated disconnection program. It also turned down a request from Shell Energy to allow disconnections and reconnections seven days a week.

The commission also held for two weeks an application by Georgia Public Web Inc. for an interim certificate of authority to resell and provide competitive local exchange services. Georgia Public Web wants to establish a telecommunications network to offer local phone service and lease fiber optic, primarily in 31 cities and one county in Georgia.

Back to Business Home Page Back to the top of the page