Georgia Marketers Seek Three-Day Disconnect/Reconnect Process at AGL

Several retail natural gas suppliers have asked the Georgia PSC to consider implementing a permanent three day standard for Atlanta Gas Light to follow in regard to connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting customers, including monthly reporting of the service level standards (Docket 31647-U).

"Requiring this change, from the current PSC rule of five days for disconnects and current AGLC policy of five days for turn-ons and reconnections, would significantly improve customer service, since five business days can mean 10 or more calendar days to the customer and that time frame is not consistently met," the joint marketers noted, who included FireSide Natural Gas, Gas South, MXenergy, SCANA Energy, Stream Georgia Gas, and Walton EMC Natural Gas.

The marketers further, "support the proposed increase in the number of disconnections (Shut Offs for Non Payment) proposed by AGLC in their Customer First Initiative."

"An increase of 25% or greater would allow marketers to better manage bad debt, resulting in lower overall rates to customers, and protect against attrition of customers, guarding against an increase in the average cost to serve on the AGLC system," the marketers said.