A Georgia Power spokesman said Tuesday that the company has approached state legislators, asking to be an alternative to deregulated natural gas marketers, which have been plagued with problems.
Since Georgia's 1998 deregulation of the industry, which opened the door to a dozen or more gas marketers competing for customers, the public has clamored about inaccurate bills that arrive months late and skyrocketing rates.
``We see an opportunity to fill a unique niche in the natural gas market,'' Georgia Power spokesman John Sell said Tuesday.
Proposals circulating at the Capitol indicate Georgia Power would charge roughly the going rate for gas and pass along Atlanta Gas Light Co.'s base charges for gas distribution.
A proposed monthly customer service fee of $11.95 and a $150 deposit would be higher than top unregulated competitors charge, but comparable to an emergency supplier approved by the state Public Service Commission last month.
Georgia Power also wants to be able to recover any future losses from a PSC fund.
Gov. Roy Barnes, who was briefed on the plan, is ``open to any option that would improve the current situation,'' a spokeswoman said.
A panel appointed by Barnes met last week to discuss possible steps to allay consumer concerns, such as creating a ``provider of last resort'' to supply natural gas to low-income consumers and allowing at least one gas provider to offer service under the regulation of the Public Service Commission, which used to regulate the whole industry.
Public Service Commissioner Lauren ``Bubba'' McDonald Jr. said Georgia Power has been a reliable provider of electricity, but he wants to study any legislative proposal before making a judgment.
Rep. Mark Burkhalter, R-Alpharetta, said the company, which could be a stabilizing force for the deregulated market, would commit to supplying gas for a two-year period, starting as early as July.
It could ``opt out'' if any legislation enacted by the Legislature is not to its liking, he said.
Georgia Power's parent, Southern Co., flirted with the idea of becoming a natural gas marketer at the start of deregulation in 1998, but opted out before deregulation got off the ground.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/200077