Georgia Utility Rate Assistance

• In 1987 the PSC mandated that major gas and electric utilities waive their monthly service charge for customers age 65 or over, who own their homes, and earn less than $10,000 per year (the income limit was raised to $12,000 in 2001). The gas service charge is $10.50 per month; the electric is $10.50. In 2003, about 55,000 customers received the electric waiver and about 34,000 received the gas waiver for a total annual cost of about $9 million.
  
  
• Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) provided natural gas reconnection waivers of $50 to all LIHEAP approved customers during the FFY02 program. A $50 cash credit was applied to the natural gas accounts of all low-income senior customers for a 5-month period during the first two quarters of FFY02.
  

• Under policies established by the Public Service Commission, Scana Energy, Inc., regulated natural gas provider in most of the state, and natural gas provider of last resort, provided natural gas reconnection waivers of $100 to all LIHEAP approved customers during the FFY03 program.

LEVERAGING

2003: $2 million
2002: $760,850

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005