Cold temperatures lead to record natural gas usage

ATLANTA - The cold temperatures in Georgia on Friday led to a record usage of natural gas by customers of Atlanta Gas Light Company. <br> <br> The 2.16 billion cubic feet of natural gas used beat the old mark of 2.04, set Feb. 4, 1996. The average daily use during the winter is 1.5. <br> <br> Low temperatures early Friday morning were 8 degrees in Atlanta and Cartersville and 7 degrees in Marietta. <br> <br> Natural gas is used to heat 85 percent of the homes in Georgia, and Atlanta Gas Light has about 1.5 million customers. Homes which use electricity for heat rely indirectly on natural gas. <br> <br> About 200 customers lost service Friday during a loss of pressure in the pipelines, but it was quickly restored, Atlanta Gas Light said.