Fayette consumers will have to get used to a new name this fall when they pay their heating bills.

Under a settlement reached earlier this summer, Atlanta Gas Light will now do business under the name Georgia Natural Gas Services. The name change is a direct result of the deregulation of the gas business that starts this November.

Under terms of a settlement reached with the Georgia Public Service Commission and other gas marketers, the company will still be permitted to use the familiar blue flame logo, but will have a different name.

"We are very pleased with the settlement," said Public Service Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. "The settlement is consistent with our attempts to foster a competitive environment in which no marketer has an unfair advantage over another."

Under a new state law passed in 1997, the sale of natural gas in the Atlanta Gas Light territory will be opened to competition Nov.1. Once the market is fully deregulated, Atlanta Gas light will no longer sell gas directly to consumers, but will become a distribution company responsible for transporting gas to homes and businesses.

Marketing companies will be responsible for selling gas at competitive rates to the 1.4 million customers served by Atlanta Gas Light.

Under the terms of the settlement, Georgia Natural Gas Services will use a disclaimer that identifies the marketer as an affiliate of Atlanta Gas Light Company, but at the same time specifying the relationship with the utility will not provide its customers with any preferential treatment.

The company may petition the PSC to use the name Atlanta Gas Light Services once effective competition has emerged.