SCANA Energy has won a competitive bid to continue serving as Georgia’s sole regulated provider of natural gas for special groups, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) said Tuesday.

The new contract, which will be in effect from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2011, will have more favorable terms for Georgia’s senior citizens and credit-challenged customers with improved payment histories, according to SCANA. Seniors will see their monthly customer service charge fall from $2.95 to $1.95. For credit-challenged customers who have been denied service elsewhere, the customer service charge will be reduced from $10.95 to $9.95. Those who pay promptly for six months will see their customer service charge reduced another $3 and become eligible for SCANA’s deregulated market rates.

Under the regulated provider pricing plan, rates for low-income households are approximately 10-14 cents/therm lower than current variable rates, according to the PSC. Additionally, low-income senior citizens receive a 2 cents/therm discount.

Approximately 100,000 Georgians are currently receiving service under the regulated provider programs.

SCANA has served as the regulated provider in the Atlanta Gas Light service territory since the program’s inception in September 2002 following legislation enacted by the 2002 Georgia General Assembly.

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