Atlanta

Unlike those given to Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) and National FuelGas Distribution, the exemption to the shipper-must-have-titlepolicy awarded to Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) was”unnecessary” and represented an “unacknowledged policy shift” byFERC, said Exxon Corp. It warned the Commission’s decision inBG&E could open up the floodgates to similar requests from themultitude of LDCs that are looking to unbundle their systems.

The 16 gas suppliers vying for Georgia customers had theirmoment of truth earlier this month, as Atlanta Gas Light (AGL)determined their market share and presented the results to theGeorgia Public Service Commission (GPSC). As expected, GeorgiaNatural Gas Services, an AGL affiliate, and Scana Energy Marketinggained the most customers, receiving over 60% of the market betweenthem.

The 16 gas suppliers vying for Georgia customers had theirmoment of truth last Friday, as Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) determinedtheir market share and presented the results to the Georgia PublicService Commission (GPSC). As expected, Georgia Natural GasServices, an AGL affiliate, and Scana Energy Marketing gained themost customers, receiving over 60% of the market between them.

Georgia broke all records in unbundling 95% or 900,000 customersfrom Atlanta Gas Light’s merchant service in just nine months. Nowit’s up to the policy-makers “to justify the amounts of savings,determining if consumers are really better off,” AGL PresidentPaula Rosput told state regulators Tuesday.

Georgia broke all records in unbundling 95% or 900,000 customersfrom Atlanta Gas Light’s merchant service in just nine months. Nowit’s up to the policy-makers “to justify the amounts of savings,determining if consumers are really better off,” AGL PresidentPaula Rosput told state regulators Tuesday.

Scana Energy Marketing and Exxon Corp. are urging FERC to bedeliberative as it weighs Atlanta Gas Light’s (AGL) bid for anextension of the waivers and limited jurisdiction blanketcertificate that were approved on a limited basis a year ago toencourage retail gas unbundling in Georgia.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) unanimously decidedlast week to allow customers to switch from Atlanta Gas Light (AGL)after the previously-determined Aug. 11 deadline, the date when theCommission determines market share among the competing suppliers.Commissioner Robert Baker said the vote will help dispel the rumorof Aug. 11 being a drop-dead date.

Sonat exercised an option recently to buy back 35% interest inSonat Power Marketing from Atlanta Gas Light (AGL). The price wasnot released. Sonat did say it will be at fair market valuedetermined by investment banks selected by Sonat and AGL. Sonatalready owns the other 65% of Sonat Power Marketing.

Atlanta Gas Light was one of the biggest losers among a group of37 LDCs reporting first quarter earnings. AGL’s net income was offa whopping 46% from the first quarter of 1998. PaineWebber notedthe significant drop was due mainly to a change in rate design thattook effect in July 1998 when the company unbundled.