GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUNDS FOR RATE ASSISTANCE

A Universal Service Fund was established by the original deregulation law and funded through surcharges on large industrial users. Initially designed to benefit the gas industry; the law was amended in 2001 and energy assistance is now the primary goal of the fund. Since December 2001, in response to gas price increases and severe weather, funds have been disbursed through the LIHEAP grantee, the Department of Human Resources, with a portion aimed at both low-income seniors and the remainder for other LIHEAP households. Funding has varied each year; the PSC released $1 million in November 2002, and $5 million in February 2003 to supplement LIHEAP and $750,000 in June 2003 to low-income customers of the regulated provider, Scana.

See utility restructuring legislation.

LEVERAGING

2002: $5.3 million