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An Introduction to Your Georgia Public Service Commission |
"Safeguarding Your Interests" |
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Introduction |
In 1879, the Georgia General Assembly established the Railroad Commission of
Georgia for the purpose of regulating railroad passenger and freight rates,
services and operations. As Georgia's population grew and industry expanded, it
was necessary for the Commission to grow as well. The Legislature, therefore,
conferred upon the Commission additional regulatory responsibilities with
periods of regulatory expansion and deregulation. In 1922, the Legislature
changed the name of the Railroad Commission to the Georgia Public Service
Commission (PSC) to reflect the increasing variety of services and utilities
included under the Commission's jurisdiction.
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Today, five elected Commissioners, supported by approximately 83 staff, make
decisions that affect the lives of every Georgian each time a telephone is
picked up, a light is turned on, a gas burner is used.
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Because the Public Service Commission's decisions affect how much people pay
for such necessary services as their electricity, telephone and gas, its
operational activities are constantly in the public eye. In fact, very few
governmental agencies have as much impact on peoples' lives as does the PSC.
That is why we have prepared this guide, "An Introduction To Your PSC," to help
people better understand our important duties and responsibilities to both
consumers and utilities in Georgia.
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Calendar
of Historical Events Related to the Georgia Public Service Commission
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1879 |
The Georgia General Assembly establishes the three member Georgia Railroad
Commission |
1891 |
Legislature extends authority of the Commission to regulate telegraph and
express companies |
1906 |
Legislation provides for statewide election of Commission members |
1907 |
Legislature extends authority of the Commission to regulate telephone, gas, and
electric utilities and expands the Commission to five members |
1922 |
General Assembly changes the Commission's name, formerly known as the Railroad
Commission, to the Georgia Public Service Commission |
1943 |
Commission gains constitutional status |
1950 |
PSC given the authority to issue certificates of public convenience and
necessity to telephone companies |
1970 |
Commission begins its gas pipeline safety program |
1973 |
The Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act is implemented, assigning
geographic areas to particular electric suppliers |
1975 |
Legislature expands PSC's authority to set rates and enact rules for utilities
and transportation; the Commission, with the exception of the Transportation
Division, is brought under the Administrative Procedure Act |
1984 |
PSC named the state's lead agency in administering the Motor Carrier Safety
Assistance Program |
1989 |
Commission given the power to supervise safety of the state's municipal gas
systems |
1991 |
Legislature requires integrated resource planning by electric utilities; the
Commission must certify electric plants prior to construction. |
1993 |
A new single-state registration system for motor carriers is established by the
ICC effective January 1994 |
1995 |
The Telecommunications and Competition Development Act is effective July 1,
1995 |
1997 |
The Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act of 1997 is effective July 1,
1997 |
1998 |
Telecommunications Marketing Act of 1998 is effective July 1, 1998 |
1999 |
Atlanta Gas Light Company exits merchant function; customers who did not select
a natural gas marketers were randomly assigned. |
2000 |
David Burgess is first African-American elected to serve as a Commissioner |
2001 |
The Consumer Bill of Rights amendment to the Natural Gas Competition and
Deregulation Act of 1997 is effective April 28, 2001. |
2002 |
The Natural Gas Consumers Relief Act becomes effective April 28, 2002. Earleen
Sizemore takes office as the first woman on the Commission following her
appointment by Governor Roy Barnes in June. |
2003 |
Commissioner Angela Speir takes office as the first woman elected to the
Commission. |
2005 |
January 15- Commissioner Angela Speir becomes the first woman to chair the Commission;
July 1- Commission resumes certification of motor carriers, household good movers,
limousines and buses under HB 501 which reorganizes the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. |
2006 |
April 3- Commission approves "762" as new overlay area code in the 706 area code. Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins;
June 1- Georgia Audible Universal Information Access Service becomes operational.
August 18- The Commission approves acquisition of BellSouth Telecommunications by AT&T. |
2009 |
Commission approves certification of two new units at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power
Plant. These would be the first nuclear power units constructed in Georgia since 1989. |
2011 |
July 1- The Commission turns over regulatory responsibility for the certification of motor carriers,
household goods movers, limousines and buses
to the Department of Public Safety under House Bill 865 which passed the 2012 Georgia General Assembly. |
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Past
Commissioners of the Georgia Public Service Commission (1922 - present)
and the Georgia
Railroad Commission (1879 - 1922)
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Governor James M. Smith |
(1879 - 1885) |
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Campbell Wallace |
(1879 - 1890) |
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Samuel Barnett |
(1879 - 1881) |
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Leander N. Trammell |
(1881 - 1900) |
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Alexander S. Ervin |
(1885 - 1891) |
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James W. Robertson |
(1890 - 1891) |
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Virgil Powers |
(1891 - 1894) |
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Allen Fort |
(1891 - 1897) |
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G. Gunby Jordan |
(1894 - 1895);
(1901 - 1904) |
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Thomas C. Crenshaw, Jr. |
(1895 - 1901) |
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Justice Spencer R. Atkinson |
(1897 - 1903) |
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J. Pope Brown |
(1900 - 1905) |
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Justice H. Warner Hill |
(1903 - 1911) |
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Obadiah B. Stevens |
(1905 - 1911) |
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Governor Joseph M. Brown |
(1904 - 1907) |
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F. E. Callaway, Sr. |
(1907 - 1909) |
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George Hillyer |
(1907 - 1918) |
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S. G. McClendon |
(1907 - 1909) |
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Charles Murphey Candler |
(1909 - 1922) |
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Joseph F. Gray |
(1909 - 1916) |
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Paul B. Trammell |
(1911 - 1926) |
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James A. Perry |
(1911 - 1933);
(1936 - 1957) |
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John T. Boifeuillet |
(1916 - 1926) |
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James D. Price |
(1919 - 1925) |
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Walter R. McDonald |
(1923 - 1933);
(1935 - 1971) |
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Calvin W. Parker |
(1926 - 1931) |
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Oscar Roswell Bennett |
(1925 - 1928) |
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Albert J. Woodruff |
(1926 - 1933) |
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Perry T. Knight |
(1928 - 1933); (1936 - 1953) |
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Justice Jule W. Felton, Sr. |
(1931 - 1933) |
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Jud P. Wilhoit |
(1933 - 1941) |
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George L. Goode |
(1933 - 1935) |
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Thomas King Davis |
(1933 - 1936) |
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Ben T. Huiet |
(1933 - 1936) |
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James B. Daniel |
(1933 - 1935) |
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Julian J. E. Anderson |
(1935 - 1936) |
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Matt L. McWhorter |
(1937 - 1961) |
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Allen Chappell |
(1941 - 1964) |
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Crawford L. Pilcher |
(1953 - 1972) |
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Ben T. Wiggins |
(1957 - 1979) |
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William Henry Kimbrough |
(1961 - 1979) |
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Alpha Alsbury Fowler, Jr. |
(1964 - 1971) |
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Bobby Pafford |
(1971 - 1993) |
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Ford B. Spinks |
(1971 - 1988) |
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Mac Barber |
(1973 - 1984); (1991 - 1998) |
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Billy Lovett, Jr. |
(1979 - 1990) |
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Jim Hammock |
(1980 - 1987) |
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Gary B. Andrews |
(1985 - 1990) |
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Cas M. Robinson |
(1987 - 1992) |
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Robby Rowan |
(1989 - 1994) |
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Bob Durden |
(1991 - 2002) |
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Dave Baker |
(1995 - 1998) |
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Robert B. Baker |
(1993 - 2010) |
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Stan Wise |
(1995 - 2018) |
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Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. |
(1998 - 2002) |
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David L. Burgess |
(1999 - 2006) |
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Earleen Sizemore |
(2002 - 2002) |
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H. Doug Everett |
(2003 - 2018) |
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Angela E. Speir |
(2003 - 2008) |
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Chuck Eaton |
(2007 - ) |
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Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr. |
(2009 - ) |
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Tim Echols |
(2011 - ) |
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Tricia Pridemore |
(2018 - ) |
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Jason Shaw |
(2019 - ) |
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* served as Chairman of the Commission |
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Who
are the Commissioners?
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The five commissioners of the PSC are elected statewide and serve staggered
six-year terms. The chairman is elected by the Commission for a two year term with the opportunity to be re-elected for an additional two year term.
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Tim Echols, Vice-chairman (R-Bogart) |
Tim Echols was elected to the Commission in the general election of November 2010 after spending 15 years in the non-profit sector. Echols founded "TeenPact" and grew the mock legislative youth program to 38 states in his tenure. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors. |
Tim's campaign focused on consumer protection, clean energy, and accountability. He travels the state speaking to students, civic groups and businesses about the importance of the PSC's responsibilities especially providing accountability to those the agency regulates. |
Commissioner Echols has been outspoken about Georgia's nuclear waste--still sitting on both sites. He supports a Heritage Foundation plan that would privatize the reprocessing and disposal of commercial nuclear "material." Believing if the space program can be privatized, then certainly nuclear waste disposition can too. |
Tim has three degrees from the University of Georgia and still makes his home in the Athens area with his wife Windy and their seven children. |
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Chuck Eaton (R-Atlanta) |
Chuck Eaton was elected to his first term on the Public Service Commission in December of 2006. He
was one of only two statewide Republican candidates in the entire country to beat an incumbent during
that election year. Before serving on the Commission, he worked in real estate sales. Prior to moving
to Atlanta, he was an Account Executive for a packaging manufacturer in LaGrange, Georgia. Commissioner
Eaton also has an Accounting degree from the University of Alabama.
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He is the past President of the Buckhead Forest Civic Association. Chuck was also a representative to
the Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit "B" - a citizen group which makes recommendations on zoning, land
use, public safety and community issues. In Troup County he served on the Board of Directors for Troup
Haven House - a children's shelter.
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Commissioner Eaton has been involved in the political process for a long time. In 1992, he served as
Congressman Phil Crane's Deputy Campaign Manager. In Troup County he successfully managed multiple campaigns
for former Representative Jeff Brown. He is a graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute - a statewide
organization founded by late U.S. Senator Paul D. Coverdell to strengthen leadership and political skills.
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Chuck lives in Atlanta with his wife Erika, their newborn daughter Lydia and their three rescued dogs. When
not working at the Public Service Commission, he enjoys playing golf, target shooting, and boating with his
family on Lake Lanier.
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The Eaton's are members of North Avenue Presbyterian Church.
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Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr., Chairman (R-Clarkesville) |
McDonald, who served 20 years as a state Representative, was appointed to the PSC by Governor
Zell Miller to fill a vacated post and then re-elected in a special mid-term election in 1998. He
held the seat until 2002. On December 2, 2008, Georgians elected McDonald to serve on the PSC again.
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McDonald has a deep knowledge of the energy industry. During his previous term, he served on the
Committee on Electricity of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, chairing
that body's subcommittee on Nuclear Issues and Waste Disposal in 2001 and 2002. Today he is a member
of NARUC's Electric Committee and Nuclear Subcommittee.
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McDonald has spent decades serving the residents of Georgia. As a state Representative, he chaired the
Industry Committee for five years and the Appropriations Committee for eight years. He also served as a
commissioner in Jackson County, served on the Board of Managers of the Association of County Commissioners
of Georgia, and volunteered as a Firefighter for the city of Commerce for 35 years.
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A native of Commerce who now resides in Clarkesville, McDonald is a graduate of the University of Georgia
with a BBA in Business. He has long been a supporter of higher education, serving on the Board of Governors
of Mercer Medical College and the Board of the Advanced Technology Center at the Georgia Institute of
Technology. He was also a director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Georgia.
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McDonald has lived his entire life within District Four of the PSC. Currently, he is a partner in
L.W. McDonald & Son Funeral Home in Cumming, with his son, Lauren III. He was married to his late wife Sunny Nivens McDonald for 45 years. He is an elder in the Presbyterian
Church, a private pilot, and an avid golfer.
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Tricia Pridemore (R-Marietta) |
Tricia Pridemore was appointed to the Commission by Governor Nathan Deal in 2018. She is a businesswoman with a background in technology, consulting and workforce development. Since the acquisition of Accucast, the software company she founded with her husband in 2006, she served on the Georgia World Congress Center Board of Governors, the 2011 Transition team of Governor Deal and co-chaired both of Governor Deal's Inaugural Committees in 2011 and 2015. Pridemore formerly served as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development and started Georgia's skilled trade initiative aimed at encouraging careers in the energy, transportation and construction trades. Pridemore was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in Georgia's 11th Congressional District and a member of the Cobb Galleria Authority Board of Governors. Pridemore earned a bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University. She and her high school sweetheart turned husband, Michael, reside in Marietta, Georgia and are members of Mount Paran Church in Atlanta. |
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Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland) |
James S. “Jason” Shaw Jr., a native of Lanier County, was appointed to the Public Service Commission by Governor Nathan Deal and was sworn in on January 3, 2019. Commissioner Shaw lives on a farm near Lakeland with his wife Kay Miller Shaw, from Valdosta, and their children, Anne Harvey and Slaton Shaw. Commissioner Shaw is the owner of Shaw Insurance Services Inc. and a Partner of Georgia Olive Farms Inc., both of Lakeland. He and his family are members of Unity United Methodist Church where he serves as Finance Chairman. Commissioner Shaw earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia and is also a graduate of the Leadership Georgia class of 2004, the Leadership Lanier class of 2003, and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership class of 2000. In 2011, he was recognized by Georgia Trend magazine’s “40 under 40” list of young Georgia leaders in business and government. Commissioner Shaw maintains a dedication to community service. He served as the Lanier County Lions Club President in 2001 and as the Lakeland/Lanier County Chamber of Commerce President in 2006. He is also a past director of the Greater Valdosta Area United Way and a past Trustee of the Valdosta Technical College Foundation. Commissioner Shaw formally represented Georgia House District 176 (Atkinson, Lanier, Lowndes and Ware counties) for four terms since his election in 2010. In his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly he served four years as Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Rural Caucus, a bipartisan group that takes a leading role in issues and legislation that impact the state’s rural communities. He also served as Chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation Committee, Chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, and as a member of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee; House Game, Fish, and Parks Committee; House Insurance Committee; House Small Business Development Committee; and House Transportation Committee as well as the House Rural Development Council and the House Transit Commission. In addition to his public service, professional, and civic responsibilities, Commissioner Shaw enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys outdoor activities, including: hunting, fishing, and golfing.
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What
Is The Commission's Role And Responsibility? |
The Georgia Public Service Commission has exclusive power to decide what are
fair and reasonable rates for services under its jurisdiction. It must balance
Georgia citizens' need for reliable services and reasonable rates with the need
for utilities to earn a reasonable return on investment. The Commission
protects consumers' interests while abiding by legal standards in setting
rates. All matters scheduled for public hearing are heard by the Commissioners
or in special cases, by an appointed hearing officer in open session.
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In regulating rates, the Commission does not guarantee profits to service
providers. It is the company's responsibility to make prudent, sound business
decisions to produce earnings. When regulated companies bring a rate request
before the PSC, it may be taken up first by one of the Commission's three
standing committees on which the commissioners serve: Telecommunications,
Energy, or Administrative Affairs.
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Assisting the commissioners are experts on utility operations. These experts
may provide testimony and make recommendations at rate, arbitration or other
proceedings. To protect the public interest and to fulfill its
responsibilities, the Commission may:
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Conduct investigations, hearings, and gather evidence |
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Inspect properties, books and papers of regulated companies |
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Determine costs |
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Make and enforce rules |
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Issue orders giving effect to Commission decisions |
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Institute judicial proceedings to enforce orders, rules and regulations |
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Administrative sessions of the Georgia Public Service Commission are held the
first and third Tuesday of each month in hearing room number 110 at 244
Washington St. in Atlanta.
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Proceedings are open to the public. |
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What Does The Commission's
Staff Do?
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The Administrative Division provides the internal support functions for the
Commission. Functions include personnel management, financial management,
scheduling and recording Commission proceedings, and public, media and legislative
relations. The Utilities Division oversees the activities and services of providers
regulated by the PSC and provide technical assistance and information to the Commission.
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Executive Director: Deborah K. Flannagan |
The Executive Director is the Commission's chief executive officer responsible
for managing and coordinating the agency operations organzed into two divisions
- Administration and Utilities.
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Utilities Director: Tom Bond |
The Utilities Division responsibilities are carried out organizationally through
seven units: telecommunications, natural gas, electric, internal consultants,
consumer affairs, legal and facilities protection. The Utilities Director oversees
these units and ensures they carry out their assigned duties.
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Fiscal and Budget Officer: Terry Pritchett |
This Office is responsible for the fiscal, budgetary and procurement functions
of the PSC; prepares and monitors the budget; and manages the facilities for the
Commission.
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Public Information Officer: Bill Edge |
The Public Information Officer prepares press releases and media advisories,
maintains the Commission's public information files, serves as a Commission
spokesperson and acts as a legislative liaision with the General Assembly of
Georgia. Responsibilities include managing the Commission's legislative agenda,
providing technical assistance to the legislators, coordinating implementation
of proposed legislation and assisting others involved in accomplishing the
Commission's legislative goals.
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Executive Secretary: Reece McAlister |
The Executive Secretary is responsible for preparing, reviewing and co-signing
Commission orders; maintaining agency records and certifying and recording copies
of documents; and scheduling all hearings, oral arguments, administrative sessions
and committee meetings.
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Operations and Planning Director: Jada Brock |
The Operations Support section is responsible for all technology related
agency operations. Operations Support Staff provides technology service and support for
access to the agency internet website, agency databases, application development,
desktop support service for agency personnel, electronic mail system, as well as
agency audio broadcasts. Other responsibilities include recommending technology
requests for review and approval from our agency Commissioners.
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What
Is the Commission's Annual Budget?
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The Commission’s 2018 fiscal year budget, which will go into effect on July 1, 2017, is allocated as follows:
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Personal Services |
$9,590,518 |
Regular Operating Expenses |
$329,785 |
Motor Vehicle Purchases |
$0.0 |
Equipment Purchases |
$329,785 |
Real Estate Rentals |
$484,171 |
Contractual Services |
$102,750 |
Computer Charges |
$165,062 |
Telecommunications |
$96,000 |
TOTAL |
$10,777,286 |
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The PSC’s 2018 budget includes $9,434,186 in State Funds, $1,343,100 in Federal Funds. Since 1922, the state has required utilities regulated by the PSC to pay a fee directly to the Department of Revenue. The total collections for fiscal year 2018 will be $1,050,000. |
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What
Is Regulated by the PSC?
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Whether or not a utility is regulated by the PSC is determined by the type of
service it provides and by whether the utility is owned by investors. The PSC
regulates the rates charged and the services provided by most intrastate,
investor-owned telecommunications, natural gas and electric utilities operating
in Georgia and pipeline safety regulations. The Commission does not set rates
for municipally-owned electric and gas utilities or electric membership
corporations (EMCs). However, municipally-owned electric companies and EMCs
must come before the Commission on some matters such as financing and the
resolution of territorial disputes. The Commission also must solve territorial
disputes for municipally owned gas companies as well as ensure the safety of
all natural gas pipelines in the state. The three main kinds of utilities regulated by the PSC are
electric, gas, and telecommunications.
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Electric |
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Investor-owned electric power companies (1) |
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Electric membership corporations (42) (Territory and financing only) |
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Municipally-owned electric power companies (52) (Territory only) |
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Gas |
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Investor-owned natural gas companies (1) |
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Liquefied Natural Gas Plants (5) (Safety only) |
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Master meter operators (131) (Safety only) |
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Municipally-owned natural gas companies (84) (Safety and territory only) |
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Telecommunications |
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Alternate operator service providers (160) |
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Automatic dialing and announcement devices (115) |
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Pay Phone Service Providers (603) |
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Institutional telephone service providers (38) |
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Interexchange carriers (78) |
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Resellers (600) |
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Telephone companies (34) |
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Telephone service observing equipment users (338) |
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Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (221) |
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The Georgia Public Service Commission does not regulate: |
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Butane gas |
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Cable television |
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Cellular telephones |
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Long-distance telephone service |
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Propane gas |
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Sewer services |
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Water services |
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Interstate transportation |
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Who
Provides Electricity?
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In Georgia, three types of electric suppliers serve the public --
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Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), municipalities and investor-owned power
companies. Since the Commission regulates only investor-owned utilities, the only
electric utility whose rates are set by the PSC is Georgia Power Company, the only
investor-owned electric utility in the state. As an investor-owned company, Georgia
Power pays taxes. Publicly-owned, non-profit utilities such as EMCs, which pay ad
valorem and property taxes but no income taxes, and municipally-owned utilities,
which pay no taxes at all, are regulated by their own boards of directors or other
similar governing bodies and essentially are not subject to outside regulation. EMCs
and municipalities serve the greatest area in Georgia. However, Georgia Power serves
the most people. Georgia Power, in 2006, served more than 2 million people. In 1991,
the Georgia Legislature enacted laws requiring integrated resource planning (IRP) by
Georgia Power as well as certification by the PSC prior to any new construction of
electric plants. The Public Service Commission approves Georgia Power's 20-year plans
for providing power and encouraging conservation.
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There are currently 42 EMCs providing service in Georgia. Of these, 39 formed a
wholly owned subsidiary in 1974 called Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC), the
nation's largest electric cooperative. Oglethorpe Power Corporation is the not
for profit power supplier to these EMCs. OPC is directed by its member EMCs and
two non-Georgia EMCs based in North Carolina and Florida that serve a number of
Georgia customers. Originally, EMCs only bought power and distributed it to
their members. Today, the EMCs, through contracts with independent power
producers, are involved in the generation and transmission of electricity.
These 39 EMCs and OPC serve over 70% of the land area of Georgia and
approximately 1.3 million customers. The PSC's limited regulatory jurisdiction
over the EMCs includes resolution of territorial matters and approval authority
over applications for financing.
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Fifty-two Georgia cities provide electric service to their customers but do not
come under PSC jurisdiction except that they are required to file their rates
with the Commission and in territorial matters. Forty-seven of these cities and
Crisp County are members of the Municipal Electric Association of Georgia
(MEAG). The cities of Acworth and Hampton are wholesale customers of MEAG and
Georgia Power, respectively. The city of Dalton owns its own generation and
transmission facilities.
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The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) serves the three EMCs that are not part of
Oglethorpe Power Corporation and are located in North Georgia. In northwest
Georgia, TVA, through the city of Chickamauga and the Electrical Board of
Chattanooga serves customers in this state. The legal boundaries of each
electric utility are assigned under the Georgia Territorial Electric Service
Act. The PSC is responsible for enforcing this law and resolving territorial
disputes.
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Who
Provides Natural Gas Service?
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Today there is one investor-owned natural gas distribution company regulated by
the Georgia Public Service Commission over which it has safety and rate
jurisdiction: Liberty Utilities. Liberty Utilities Company provides
service in the Columbus and Gainesville areas. The Commission regulates the
pipeline and distribution charges of Atlanta Gas Light which distributes gas on
behalf of natural gas marketers as part of the 1997 Natural Gas Competition and
Deregulation Act.
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Another source for in-state natural gas service is through one of 84 municipal
systems. The PSC has gas safety jurisdiction over municipal systems -- and two
intrastate transmission lines -- but does not regulate rates or services of
municipally-owned systems. When municipal gas service is offered outside county
limits, the PSC has rate and territorial jurisdiction.
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Today the PSC has authority over nearly 36,000 miles of gas distribution and
transmission lines. These systems transport more than one-third of Georgia's
natural gas supply for two million people. Natural gas service is certified in
90 percent of the counties in Georgia. A gas system (a municipal or
investor-owned system) must apply for and receive a certificate of public
convenience and necessity from the PSC before it can expand into a new area.
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Implementation of deregulation has changed the Natural Gas Industry in Georgia
from a regulated monopoly to a competitive marketplace. Marketers provide gas
service to residential customers, normally served only by investor-owned
utilities or municipalities. Legislation approved in the 2001 General Assembly
will allow the Commission to enforce strict billing requirements on the
marketers as well as allow the Commission to provide low-income assistance from
the Universal Service Fund.
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Who
Provides Telecommunications Services?
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Telephone service regulation was added to the Commission's responsibilities in
1907. In 1950, the legislature gave the PSC the power to mandate telephone
service in areas of the state that needed it. By giving the Commission this
authority, the lawmakers made clear the state's intent to provide all citizens
with at least a minimal level of telephone service. However, passage of the
Telecommunications and Competition Development Act of 1995 (Senate Bill 137)
significantly changed the Commission's regulatory responsibilities. Instead of
setting prices for telecommunications services, the PSC now manages and
facilitates the transition to competitive markets, establishes and administers
a universal access fund to assure reasonable access to services, monitors rates
and service quality, and mediates disputes between competitors.
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There are 34 telephone companies providing local service in the state. Thirty
are investor-owned, such as Southern Bell, and four are non-profit cooperatives
owned by subscribers. As of December 31, 1996, the Commission had certificated
223 competitive local exchange providers. The PSC regulates 516 providers of
long distance services. This includes 21 Interexchange carriers such as AT&T,
MCI and Sprint, and 366 resellers of long distance service and 123 providers of
alternative operator services.
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Innovation in technology has led to a variety of communication services that
are regulated by the PSC. There are 263 regulated telephone service observing
equipment users in the state and 108 authorized users of automatic dialing and
announcement devices. Customer-owned coin-operated telephone service (pay
phones) in Georgia is provided by 517 certified individuals and companies and
30 institutional telephone service providers regulated by the PSC. As of
December 31, 2000, there were 1262 telephone service providers and 371 users of
automatic dialing and announcement devices and telephone service observing
equipment regulated by the PSC.
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How
Does the PSC Protect Georgia Citizens?
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In thousands of instances each year, the Georgia Public Service Commission is the last hope of many Georgia consumers in resolving their problems with utilities regulated by the Commission. Consumer contacts included consumer complaints and questions, media inquiries, requests for information and assistance, consumer comments regarding issues before the Commission, and all incoming calls made on the Commission's toll-free and local telephone lines. Staff is trained to investigate and resolve disputes between utility companies and their customers.
Some utilities, such as telecommunications and natural gas, are more competitive and the PSC has established rules that allow utility companies to operate more freely while empowering consumers with the right information to make wise decisions. The PSC also provides informational materials to help educate consumers about recent changes in utility services.
Divisions of the PSC also protect Georgia consumers by ensuring that utilities provide adequate and reliable service and by enforcing Commission rules and regulations.
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How
Can Consumers Participate in the PSC Process?
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The Public Service Commission provides many avenues for Georgia's residents to
participate in the process of regulating utilities. All hearings,
administrative sessions and committee meetings of the PSC are open to the
public. The PSC's dockets of pending and closed cases are available to the
public.
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Administrative sessions of the PSC are held the first and third Tuesday of each
month at 10 a.m. at the Commission's offices in Atlanta. Committee meetings are
scheduled the on second and fourth Thursday of each month preceding the
Administrative session. Public hearings usually are scheduled regularly.
Consumers can call the PSC or obtain the schedule for hearings, administrative
sessions and committee meetings on the internet at
http://www.psc.state.ga.us. The number of days scheduled for a hearing
depends upon the complexity of the issue. Rate case hearings usually require an
average of nine days.
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Hearings and investigations may be conducted at the PSC offices, or in another
part of the state if that is more convenient for the public. Notices of public
hearings are published by the utility in newspapers in the affected areas.
Utilities and docketed matters are available at the PSC offices in Atlanta or
electronically via the above Internet address. Although documents may be read
at state offices, there is a small fee for copying them. It is helpful, but not
necessary, to know the docket number in advance.
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Though the Consumers' Utility Counsel represents the State's residential and
small commercial and industrial consumers in proceedings before the PSC,
individual consumers may also participate. On the first day of a proceeding,
any interested individual may sign up to provide an oral or written statement
of his/her position on an issue before the commissioners. Consumers may also
attend committee meetings and present their concerns.
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A consumer may inform the commissioners of his or her position on an issue by
writing or calling the PSC or by submitting a petition. A consumer who wishes
to personally present his/her position on a matter may ask the Executive
Secretary's office to schedule the matter with the appropriate Committee
Chairman. Mailing addresses are PSC, 244 Washington St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Telephone numbers for the Commission are (404) 656-4501 and toll-free
1-800-282-5813.
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How
Does the Commission Decide a Rate Case?
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The Georgia Public Service Commission approves or denies requests for changes
in rates for rate of return regulated companies by examining petitions submitted
by the utilities it regulates. Please note, however, that not all utilities
regulated by the Commission are rate of return regulated. Currently, Georgia Power
Company, Liberty Utilities, and 8 of Georgia's small rural local telephone companies are
rate of return regulated.
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When a request is brought before the PSC, it may be taken up first by one of
two standing committees: Telecommunications or Energy. Here is a simplified
explanation of utility rate case procedures. Non-rate issues follow an
abbreviated version of this process.
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The Utility Files Its Petition |
The utility requesting a rate increase first serves a public notice of intent.
It then files a rate case petition with all supporting data, including a
request for the proposed rates to take effect in 30 days. The Commission
studies the utility's petition and sets a hearing date.
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PSC Studies the Petition |
By law, the proposed new rates go into effect 30 days from the filing date,
unless the commissioners vote to suspend them. Normally, the commissioners
order a five-month suspension of the proposed rate so the staff can study all
data submitted by the utility. At this time, the Commission may designate its
adversary/advisory staff. During a rate case, the Commission's designated
adversary staff is considered separate from the five elected commissioners. The
adversary staff puts on its own case, usually opposing the utility's request.
The adversary staff's attorney cross-examines utility witnesses.
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A separate staff advisory team is designated to answer commissioners' questions
and to support them. The adversary staff prosecutes the case. Also, the
Consumers' Utility Counsel (CUC) represents residential and small commercial
consumers in the rate case procedure. The utility publishes a notice of hearing
in newspapers of general circulation in its service area. This is done 30 to 60
days after the filing. The PSC issues a scheduling order and may hold a
pre-hearing conference with all interested parties. The Commission staff can
request any additional information it needs on the rate request, and the
utility provides it.
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Interested Parties Intervene |
For 30 days following the first published notice of the proceedings, requests to intervene are considered by the Commission. The Commission grants the requests either at the pre-hearing conference or on the first day of the hearing. The intervenors can request information from the utility, which it must provide. The Commission staff and other intervenors begin their investigations. Adversary staff activities may include hiring consultants, taking depositions from witnesses, limited auditing of selected utility records and gathering other data.
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Formal Rate Hearings Conducted |
The utility presents its case at a public hearing conducted by the commissioners within 90 to 120 days after the initial filing. These hearings generally last from three to five days.
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Public witnesses usually present their testimony the first day. All witnesses are subject to cross-examination by the adversary staff and other intervenors.
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The advisory staff completes its review and develops the Commission position on various elements in the case. Both the advisory staff and intervenors pre-file testimony and exhibits.
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The adversary staff does not take an official position until it is ready to pre-file its own testimony. The adversary staff makes an independent recommendation on rates 10 days before the hearing date.
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A second set of public hearings, 120 to 165 days after the initial filing, is held for the staff and other Intervenors to present their case and to be cross-examined by the utility.
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The utility files rebuttal testimony 10 days before a third set of public hearings. At those hearings, the utility presents its rebuttal to the staff's and other intervenors' findings.
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This set of public hearings is held 160 to 165 days after the initial filing. During this set of hearings, the Commission Staff and other intervenors cross-examine the utility.
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Commission Issues Rate Order |
The Commissioners take the case under advisement following the third set of public hearings. All parties involved -- the utility, Commissioners, Commission Staff, and intervenors -- review the transcript and records of the hearings and file recommendations, a proposed order, briefs, etc.
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At a subsequent administrative session, held the first and third Tuesday of each month, or at a special called meeting, the commissioners decide what, if any, rate increases to grant and when the utility can put the new rates into effect. The commissioners must make this decision within six months of the original filing date or the utility is legally entitled to 100 per cent of its request, under bond and subject to refund.
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After a decision on the rate case, the Commission issues an interim and/or final order. The new rates go into effect 165 to 180 days after the initial filing of the rate change request. The utility may ask the Commission to reconsider its decision within 10 days after the order. The utility may appeal the Commission's decision to the Fulton County Superior Court within 30 days after the final order. Also, the intervenors may request a rehearing and/or appeal the Commission's decision to the courts.
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Commission Responsibility |
In making its decisions, the Georgia Public Service Commission has a duty to balance the service needs of Georgia's residents with the financial needs of the utility. The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that rates must permit the utility to earn a return comparable to that of enterprises involving similar risk, to preserve the financial integrity of the company and to allow the company to attract investors.
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The Georgia Public Service Commission requires regulated utilities to provide adequate service at fair and reasonable rates and to treat all customers equitably.
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What Do Those Terms Mean?
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Here is a glossary of terms, phrases and acronyms used by the Georgia Public Service Commission.
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- Access Fees -
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Access Fees are levied by a local telephone company for the availability and use of its local exchange facilities for original and temporary use of its interexchange calls.
- ADAD -
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An Automatic Dialing and Announcement Device is used primarily by business to place computer-generated calls and prerecorded messages for the purpose of advertising goods, services or property that is for lease or sale. Any person or organization who wishes to use ADAD equipment in the state of Georgia must obtain a permit form the PSC and pay a fee of $100.
- ALEC -
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An Alternative Local Exchange Carrier is a local telephone company.
- AOS -
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Alternative Operator Services have their own telephone operators and resell telecommunications services.
- Caller ID -
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Caller Identification is a telephone feature that displays the calling party's number before the call is answered.
- Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity -
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A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is a document issued by the Commission which designates the authority the bearer has been issued by the PSC to provide certain utility or transportation services in Georgia (i.e. the construction, acquisition and/or operation of a telephone line, plant or system).
- COCOT -
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Customer Owned Coin-Operated Telephone (pay phone)
- Commission -
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Georgia Public Service Commission
- Consumers Utility Counsel - (no longer funded)
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The Counsel is appointed by the Administrator, Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs and is authorized to appear at all proceedings involving utility rates and services before the PSC or any other state or federal agency. The office of the Consumers' Utility Counsel was established by the Georgia Legislature in 1975. In 1995, the office became an operating Division of the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs. It functions separately from the Georgia Public Service Commission to represent the interests of residential and small business and commercial consumers in matters concerning the state's regulated utilities. Counsel staff works with the Commission to assure consumers' rights to fair and nondiscriminatory utility and transportation rates and services. The CUC enjoys the same access as commissioners and staff to all Commission records, files, reports and documents.
- CLEC -
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Competitive Local Exchange Carrier is a competing local telephone company.
- CUC - (no longer funded)
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The Consumers' Utility Counsel
- DLTM -
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Distance Learning and Telemedicine is a long-distance medical and education program linking rural Georgia with specialists in urban areas.
- Docket -
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In the Utilities Division, each new case which is filed requesting a change by a utility is assigned a number and then becomes a docket.
- DOT -
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Department of Transportation
- EAS -
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Extended Area Service is an arrangement that allows telephone customers to call either nearby or multiple exchanges without paying long-distance charges.
- EMCs -
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Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) are corporations composed of state electric cooperatives and are governed by a board of directors. The board is usually made up of one representative and one alternate from each member cooperative.
- FCC -
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Federal Communications Commission
- FHWA -
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Federal Highway Administration
- FY -
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Fiscal Year
- ILEC -
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An Independent Local Exchange Carrier is a local telephone company
- IntraLATA -
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Local access and transport areas (LATAs) refer to in-state geographical areas in which Southern Bell can provide long distance telephone services.
- Interstate -
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Between states
- Intrastate -
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Within the state
- IPP -
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An Independent Power Producer supplies retail customers with electricity from plants not directly owned and operated by a utility. IPPs include non-utility generators and exempt wholesale generators.
- IRP -
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Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) is a long-range, 20-year plan of how best to meet future power needs and encourage energy conservation.
- ITS -
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Institutional Telecommunications Services are private telecommunication companies that provide pay phones to institutions.
- IXC -
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Interexchange carriers are providers which carry long distance telephone traffic, for example AT&T, MCI and Sprint.
- LATA -
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Local Access and Transport Area refers to the service area of the local telephone company. Calls placed to a point outside of this area are handled by an interexchange carrier.
- LD Carrier -
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Long Distance Carrier
- LEC -
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Local exchange company for telephone service
- Lifeline -
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The Lifeline Assistance Program provides subsidized assistance to qualifying residential subscribers by providing monthly credits to residential local service.
- Link-Up Georgia -
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A program to provide subsidized assistance for residential telephone service to qualifying Georgians
- LNG -
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Liquefied Natural Gas
- Mobile Agency Services -
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Examples of "mobile agency services" include ordering railroad cars for shippers and handling cargo damage complaints. These services are performed by railroad personnel referred to as "mobile agents."
- N11 -
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The generic term for a three-digit telephone number assigned for special services
- OLEC -
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An Other Local Exchange Carrier is a local telephone company
- PSC -
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Georgia Public Service Commission
- Resellers -
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Carriers which resell long distance telecommunication services
- Rule NISI Order -
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Under a Rule NISI order, a company must "show cause" as to why it should not be fined or have its certificate revoked when charged with violating a Commission rule or regulation.
- SAFETYNET -
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A nationwide automated information management system for monitoring the safety performance of inter- and intra-state commercial motor carriers.
- SEPCO -
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Savannah Electric & Power Company
- Slamming -
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switching of a customer's local or long distance carrier without proper authorization
- Tariff -
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A list of fees, rates, services and company rules and regulations
- TRS -
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Telecommunication Relay Service through which communication personnel assist speech and hearing-impaired individuals with placing calls via a "Text Telephone" (TT).
- TSOE -
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Telephone Service Observing Equipment is a device attached to a telephone that allows calls to be monitored. TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority, [a provider of electricity in northwest Georgia
- UAF -
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Universal Access Fund is a fund established by O.C.G.A. 46-5-167 and administered by the Commission designed to offset reductions in access fees charged by Local Exchange Companies reducing the need for them to increase local telephone rates.
- USF -
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Universal Service Fund is a fund established by a regulatory body for the purpose of collecting and disbursing funds for the continued preservation of a utility service while maximizing penetration of that service.
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Where Else Is Help Available for Georgia's Citizens?
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Name |
Number |
Website |
AGL Gas Leaks |
770.907.4231; Customer Service 877.427.4321 |
http://www.atlantagaslight.com |
AT&T Customer Service |
800.222.0300 |
http://www.att.com |
Liberty Utilities Customer Service |
855.216.6305 |
http://www.libertyutilities.com |
BellSouth Telecommunications Customer Service |
888.757.6500 |
http://www.bellsouth.com |
Better Business Bureau (Atlanta) |
404.688.4910 |
http://www.bbb.org |
Cable TV Association |
404.252.4371 |
http://www.gacable.com |
Clark Howard Radio Show |
404.872.0750 |
http://www.clarkhoward.com |
Energy Assistance Program |
404.657.9358 |
http://www.dhr.georgia.gov |
Federal Communications Commission |
888.225.5322 |
http://www.fcc.gov |
Federal Trade Commission |
877.382.4357 |
http://www.ftc.gov |
Federal Do Not call Registry |
888.382.1222 |
http://www.donotcall.gov |
Georgia Electric Membership Corp. |
888.896.5997 |
http://www.opc.com |
Georgia Power Company Customer Service |
888.660.5890 |
http://www.georgiapower.com |
Georgia Power's Energy Hotline |
888.891.0938 |
http://www.georgiapower.com |
Georgia Propane Gas Association |
404.645.8677 |
www.georgiapropane.org |
Georgia Telephone Association |
404.321.5368 |
http://www.gta.org |
Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs (complaints) |
800.869.1123 or
404.651.8600
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http://www.consumer.ga.gov |
MCI Customer Service |
800.444.3333 |
http://www.mci.com |
Metro Fair Housing |
404.765.3940
Fax: 404.765.3986
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No Website |
Senior Employment Program |
404.762.9500 |
Email: ncbaga@earthlink.net |
State of Georgia Information (Governmental Agencies) |
404.656.2000 |
http://www.georgia.gov |
U.S. Sprint Customer Service |
800.877.4646 |
http://www.sprint.com |
United Way |
404.614.1027 or
770.614.1000
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http://www.unitedwayatlanta.org |
Georgia 811 |
, 800.282.7411 or 770.623.4332 |
http://www.georgia811.com |
Yellow Pages |
770.491.1750 |
http://www.realyellowpages.com |
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The PSC does not regulate butane or propane gas service. Contact the company from which you buy your gas. |
Your electricity may be provided by your city or an electric membership corporation (EMC). Contact your city or local EMC for help. |
Your gas service may be provided by your city. Contact your city for assistance. |
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The PSC does not regulate any water or sewer services. Contact your local city or county government for help with water and sewer problems. If your community has a separate authority for these services, contact that authority. |
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