In response to the confusion resulting from the deregulation of the natural gas industry, Coweta-Fayette EMC has expanded its customer service center.

EMC partnered with Peachtree Natural Gas to offer customers a natural gas option, along with their regular electrical service.

"We're very pleased to know that when local residents have questions and concerns, they think of the EMC," said Michael Whiteside, president and CEO of the utility company. "We're making every effort to enhance our ability to answer the number of calls we're receiving."

Soon, the Public Service Commission will select a natural gas provider for those consumers who have not chosen one.

"A number of the calls we receive relate to pricing," said customer service representative Elaine Sims. "People just haven't gotten used to the idea of a pipeline charge, and we try to explain how that cost is calculated."

"They also want to know whether variable rate billing is more economical, or if they should stick with a fixed rate," said customer service representative Jacqueline Pope.

According to Whiteside, a vast increase in new business has resulted from the announcement that Peachtree Natural Gas would partner with EMC to provide natural gas.

"We went through the same process that our customers are going through when we researched the companies we could do business with," Whiteside said. "In addition to low costs and top-quality service, we really wanted to find a good local company, just like residents in our service area do."

Recently, each of Fayette County's municipalities, including Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Tyrone endorsed Coweta-Fayette EMC and PNG.