Georgia State Universal Service Funds for Rate Assistance

A Universal Service Fund (USF) was established by the original gas 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 recipient of the fund. Since December 2001, in response to gas price increases and severe weather, the Georgia Public Service Commission has disbursed the funds at least once yearly through the LIHEAP grantee, the Department of Human Resources, with a portion aimed at low-income seniors and the remainder for other LIHEAP households.

The Commission approved the release of over $5.3 million from the USF to give qualified low-income and senior citizens some relief for the 2007 winter heating season.

Note: Leveraging reports do not always give a complete statewide picture. Some resources are not reported through leveraging or are under reported.

See utility restructuring legislation.

LEVERAGING

2006: $5.6 million
2005: $5.6 million
2004: $6.1 million
2003: $3.2 million
2002: $5.3 million

Page Last Updated: September 24, 2009