Starting Sunday, you'll be able to get both electricity and gas from the company who has provided electric power to the metro south region for over 50 years, Coweta-Fayette EMC.

EMC president and CEO Michael Whiteside announced last week that EMC had formed a partnership with Peachtree Natural Gas. The agreement will allow the utility company to sell natural gas to its members along with the general public on the southside of Atlanta.

"With coming changes in the electric and gas utility industries under probable deregulation, our business plan last year called for EMC to expand the number of services and products we provide member-owners," Whiteside said. "Rather than reacting later to a new environment, our board of directors charged us to aggressively protect our members' interests; their reaction to the EMC's sister company, Reylco, has proven a deep-seated confidence in our ability to perform. Adding natural gas to our roster of services simply makes good sense."

Reylco, formed earlier this year as one strategy to maintain low costs in delivering electricity and to manage a variety of products and services including long distance and Internet service, pagers, security systems and monitoring services, has been met with wide approval by members who are adding features each month. The convenience of one monthly bill, for everything except long distance, gets high ratings among reasons people are switching to Reylco and EMC.

Whiteside noted the irony in an electric utility company touting the sale of natural gas when historically, developers and residents alike were asked to choose between the two.

"We're being realistic, and know that there are people who have gas appliances and that they're going to purchase their fuel somewhere. Our experience and technology lends itself to providing an alternative source at a competitive price," he said.

As the first state in the nation to completely deregulate the natural gas industry, Georgia will be closely watched. While other industries like airlines and telecommunications have been deregulated, none have been like that of natural gas. Under the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act, there is no price regulation, but all marketers must be certified by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

"Our credibility is probably the largest issue which customers will appreciate," said Whiteside, who added that the public can expect an onslaught of direct mail pieces, telephone solicitation and advertising to get their business.

"Yet, we will also save them money and a great deal of time and headaches in dealing with aggressive salespeople."

Under the new system, Atlanta Gas light Company's pipelines will still deliver gas to customers, but a variety of marketers will supply the gas to private distributors like EMC, which will read meters and bill for the fuel. EMC members will receive one bill for both gas and electricity, though non-members will be able to choose EMC to supply their gas.

Coweta-Fayette EMC selected to partner with Peachtree Natural Gas because of the firm's history and reputation in the industry. PNG's parent company, Optimum, markets energy products to industrial, commercial and government users. The company has access to suppliers throughout the United States, from major oil companies to independent oil and gas producers to the local distributors, and therefore, can provide customers with the most secure and competitive source of fuel available.

"We're aware that the deregulation process will be somewhat confusing for our members and other customers," Whiteside said, "and we're here to explain or discuss the issue at any time. In the long run, they can save money by selecting a reputable company, and of course, we hope it's the Coweta-Fayette EMC."

Located in one of the nation's fastest growing areas, the Coweta-Fayette EMC provides electric power to Coweta, Fayette, Heard and parts of Meriwether, Spalding, Clayton and Troup counties.

Commonly asked questions deregulation in Georgia:

· Do I have to choose a marketer, or can I stay with Atlanta Gas Light Company?

During the transition phase, customers can choose to stay with AGLC; after a certain length of time and the process of certification of marketers, random assignment will occur.

· Can I change marketers?

Yes. Customers can switch from one marketer to another, and this will usually take place on the first of the next month, unless the customer chooses to switch before the last five business days of the month.

· When can I choose a marketer?

Once certified, marketers may begin to sign-up customers for delivery of gas to begin Nov.1.

· How do I choose a marketer?

You should make mer certain that a marketer is certified by the PSC to do business in the state of Georgia. Read the contract.

· Will it cost me to switch gas marketers?

No, not to Peachtree Natural Gas and EMC.

· Is there a hook-up charge?

No, not if you have gas service with Atlanta Gas light currently.

· Will you install gas lines to my house?

No, all services related to the pipes and the meter are still the responsibility of Atlanta Gas Light, though EMC will read the meter and bill for use.

· How do I sign up for gas with EMC and Peachtree Natural Gas?