GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONERS SLATED TO HOST A ‘CONSUMER TOWN HALL’ ON MARCH 24TH

(Media release from the Georgia Public Service Commission):

The Public Service Commission will hold a “Consumer Town Hall” on Thursday, March 24, as an opportunity for Georgians to address Commissioners or to receive answers to questions about their utility services.

Over the past two years, the PSC has continued public participation in Commission proceedings by providing an online link for public comments (Public Comments (ga.gov)) and by providing a live video stream of meetings and hearings. All comments received by the Commission have been placed into the record of the corresponding docket.

“We decided to open the doors for a Town Hall to ensure any member of the public who wants to address the PSC gets the opportunity,” said PSC Chairman Tricia Pridemore. “If the interest from Georgians is strong, we’ll have more Town Halls in the future.”

Although attendance in the hearing room will be limited, overflow space will be open for members of the public who are waiting for their turn to speak. Facemasks are encouraged as are other public health, COVID-19 guidelines.

The Commission reminds members of the public that identification is required to enter the building. Please allow extra time to pass through security.

WHERE: 244 Washington Street, SW
                   Atlanta, GA 30334
                   Hearing Room on the 1st Floor
                   (one floor up from the Washington Street entrance)

WHEN: Thursday, March 24, from 9:30 a.m. until everyone has had their chance to address the Commission

TOPICS: The PSC regulates Georgia Power electricity customers, natural gas customers who do not get their gas from a municipal provider, and landline telephone services. The PSC does NOT regulate cellular telephones, municipal gas, EMC electric cooperatives, cable/satellite television, or water/sewer service.

The Commission has jurisdiction over the following:

þ Investor-owned electric power companies (i.e. Georgia Power)

þ Investor-owned natural gas companies (i.e. Atlanta Gas Light, Liberty Utilities)

þ Underground facility protection and natural gas pipeline safety

þ Landline telecommunications companies

þ Credit card, calling card, and coin-operated telephones

þ Automatic telephone dialing and announcing devices

þ Telephone service observing equipment

The Commission DOES NOT have

rate-setting authority over:

ý Natural gas marketers

ý Municipally owned gas and electric utilities

ý Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs)

ý Water/sewer services

ý Cellular telephone companies

ý Interstate long-distance companies

ý Cable or satellite television industries.

The Georgia Public Service Commission is a five-member constitutional agency that exercises its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas service from financially viable and technically competent companies.

For more information on the Commission, see the Commission website at https://psc.ga.gov/