ABOUT NATURAL GAS

Ground Rules
Changing the Game to Save You Money

In 1997, the Georgia General Assembly led the nation and passed legislation that deregulated the natural gas industry in the state. With deregulation, Atlanta Gas Light's role shifted from selling and distributing natural gas to just distributing natural gas – basically building and maintaining the pipes that carry natural gas to your home. And marketers assumed the role of selling gas service directly to consumers.

Now you have a number of suppliers to choose from and different pricing plans, all of which spur competitive pricing, improve service offerings and provide greater potential for product innovation. If you feel at any point your rights have not been honored, contact your marketer first. If you are still unsatisfied or are unable to solve your issue, contact the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Role Of The Marketers And Atlanta Gas Light
Your marketer and Atlanta Gas Light are both committed to helping you win with natural gas in Georgia. But each one plays a different position in the game. The rules of the game changed with deregulation. Atlanta Gas Light shifted from both selling and distributing natural gas to becoming the "pipes only" distribution company, building and maintaining the infrastructure that carries natural gas to your home or business. And marketers assumed the role of selling natural gas service directly to consumers. Marketers are your first contact for questions about your natural gas service or billing. Atlanta Gas Light, on the other hand, maintains the natural gas pipes and is available 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies.

Natural Gas Marketer

Sells natural gas directly to you, providing all facets of customer service

Atlanta Gas Light

Builds and maintains pipes that carry natural gas to your home or business.

If you need to dig or excavate with mechanized equipment on your property, call 811, or visit www.call811.com

Customer Bill Of Rights
You've Got Rights Guaranteed By Law

Like a quarterback in the pocket, your rights are protected by the Georgia Public Service Commission.

All consumers must have access to reliable, safe and affordable natural gas service, including high quality customer service.

All consumers must have the right to receive accurate, easily understood information about Georgia natural gas marketers, services, plans, terms and conditions, and rights and remedies. The information must be unbiased, accurate and understandable in written form, which allows for comparison of prices and terms of service.

All consumers must receive the benefits of new services, technological advances, improved efficiency and competitive prices.

Standards for protecting consumers in matters such as deposit and credit requirements, service denials and terminations, and deferred payment provisions must be applied fairly to all consumers.

All consumers must be protected from unfair, deceptive, fraudulent and anticompetitive practices, including, but not limited to, practices such as cramming, slamming and providing deceptive information regarding billing terms and conditions of service.

All consumers shall receive accurate and timely bills from their marketers.

All consumers are entitled to protection of their privacy and must be protected from improper use of their customer records or payment histories.

All consumers must be protected from price increases resulting from inequitable price shifting.

All consumers have the right to a fair and efficient process for resolving differences with marketers, including a system of internal review and an independent system of external review.

If you feel at any point your rights have not been honored, contact the PSC.
Email: gapsc@psc.state.ga.gov
Phone: In Georgia call Toll-Free 800-282-5813. In metro Atlanta 404-656-4501

Natural Gas Safety

Natural gas is a safe, clean, nontoxic and naturally odorless form of energy. But like any game, it's important that you follow certain guidelines to keep you safe, healthy and off the disabled list.

If You Smell Natural Gas

Call Before You Dig – Dial 811

Before you dig or excavate with mechanized equipment on your property, the law requires you to notify all utilities at least 48 hours in advance so that underground lines can be located and clearly marked. (This excludes the day you call, weekends and holidays.)

So, before you dig with mechanized equipment, call 811. It's toll-free. http://www.call811.com
The Utilities Protection Center's motto is
Georgia CARES:
Call Before You Dig
Await the Required Time
Respect the Marks
Excavate (Dig) With Care
Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

For more information, visit the Utilities Protection Center of Georgia at www.gaupc.com

Other Helpful Hints

FAQs: Chalk Talk
Why do I need to have a natural gas marketer?

In 1997, the Georgia General Assembly led the nation and passed legislation that deregulated the natural gas industry along the Atlanta Gas Light pipeline. With deregulation, natural gas marketers sell gas service directly to customers while Atlanta Gas Light builds and maintains the infrastructure that delivers the gas to homes and businesses.

In order to get service, customers along the Atlanta Gas Light pipeline must choose a marketer from which they will receive service. A list of marketers serving in the Atlanta Gas Light service territory and an explanation of each can be found in the Choosing Your Marketer section.

What do I do if I want to switch marketers?

If you want to change from receiving your natural gas service from one marketer to another, you should contact the new marketer to which you'd like to switch. They will handle having your service changed.

If I have a marketer, why do I have an Atlanta Gas Light base charge on my monthly bill?

While you purchase the natural gas you use from a certified marketer, Atlanta Gas Light builds and maintains the pipeline infrastructure that carries the natural gas, responds to leak calls, and also provides a monthly meter reading to your marketer so they know the usage of your home or business. The Atlanta Gas Light base charge is regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission and covers the costs associated with these responsibilities. Visit Choosing Your Plan to learn more about your Atlanta Gas Light base charge.

What plan will save me the most money? Fixed? Variable?

Each marketer offers different plan types including fixed and variable. Lots of factors go into determining what plan type is best for your home or business. Learn more in the Rate Type and Term Length section of this site and then decide what's best for you.

Which company should I call if I suspect a gas leak?

Natural gas is colorless and odorless in its purest state. For safety purposes, an odorant called mercaptan is added to natural gas before it is delivered to your home or business. Mercaptan is often described as having a "rotten egg"-like odor.

If you suspect you may have a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately and call Atlanta Gas Light at 877-427-4321. Do not turn on or off any lights or appliances or use a cell phone near the potential leak.

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