Just as it seemed Georgia’s deregulated natural gas marketer list was ready to shrink by one more, the Georgia Public Service Commission said Tuesday that it has approved the application of Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas Inc. to be a gas marketer. With the commission’s latest action, Georgia now has 10 certified gas marketers in the state.

Earlier this month, marketers in the state looked as if they were going to continue the trend of the past few years, which saw the departures of Titan Energy of Georgia, Inc., Southeastern States Energy, Inc., Peachtree Natural Gas LLC and The New Power Co. (see Daily GPI, Oct. 29, 1999; July 10, 2000; Aug. 31, 2000; June 12). Just last week, Atlanta Gas Light Co. stayed its petition to the commission that sought to terminate marketer ACN Energy, giving the company until Dec.16 to get its credit “house back in order” (see Daily GPI, Nov. 18; Nov. 19).

Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas Inc. is a subsidiary of Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), a consumer-owned utility serving 55,000 members in Coweta, Fayette, South Fulton, Heard, Meriwether and Troup Counties. The new certification marks the second EMC affiliate to receive a natural gas marketer certificate of authority under legislation approved during the 2002 Georgia General Assembly.

In October, the commission unanimously approved Walton Energy, Inc.’s application to be a gas marketer. Walton Energy, Inc. is a subsidiary of Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), a consumer-owned utility with 99,000 accounts in 10 northeast Georgia counties between Atlanta and Athens.

In other Georgia PSC news, the commission approved the continuation of two programs that will provide assistance to low-income customers and low-income senior citizens with their outstanding gas bills during this winter heating season. Nearly $1 million will be available for a maximum $400 one time matching grant per consumer, the commission said. The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) will disburse the funds from the Universal Service Fund to the natural gas marketers on behalf of those who meet DHR’s definition of low income.

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