They are scheduled in Atlanta Sept. 6-9, Oct. 11-12 and Nov. 3-4, according to PSC spokesman Bill Edge. The first session is for the company to present its case, the second will allow PSC staff input and input from other interested parties and the third session will allow for a rebuttal from Atmos.
Edge says the commission is scheduled to rule on the proposal Nov. 17.
Atmos officials said when they announced the filing the rate hike would be the company's first in Georgia in more than nine years and is needed because of increased operating costs and investments.
"We have done everything we possibly can - installing new technologies, improving our work processes and controlling our operating costs - to keep rates down," said John Paris, president of Atmos Energy's Mid-States Division. "But, inflation during the period has been 24 percent, and we no longer can put off asking for a moderate price increase."
Atmos Energy, which serves approximately 68,000 residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the state, is asking to increase its revenues by about $4 million, or 5 percent.
Childers said the utility will maintain its rate protection for customers who are senior citizens over the age of 65 with an annual income less than $12,000.
Atmos Energy's Georgia operations provide natural gas utility service to Gainesville as well as Columbus and Muscogee County.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/6/132926