Senior Utility Discount Increased in Georgia Rate Case

On April 27, as part of its decision in an Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) rate case, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved an increase in the utility's senior citizen discount to $14.00 per month from $10.50. The increase went into effect May 1.

The Commission also approved $1 million to fund the Company's proposed Home and Heart Warming program. These funds will be used to buy space heaters for qualified low-income customers and for other energy efficiency measures yet to be determined. The program will be administered by the Atlanta-based Resource Service Ministries (RSM, which has for several years operated a small furnace repair and replacement program for AGL using company foundation funds. The duration of the program and the total amount allocated per year is still being worked out by the utility, RSM and the Commission.

The PSC has mandated the senior discount since 1987 - major gas and electric utilities must waive their monthly service charge for customers age 65 or over, who own their homes and have a household income of less than $12,000 per year. During 2004, over 35,000 seniors received the discount through AGL, amounting to about $4.5 million in savings. A similar discount is provided by the state's major electric utility companies.

Source: Georgia PSC, Resource Service Ministries

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005