Legislation in 1997 paved the way for natural gas choice in Georgia. Since that legislation, Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) has opted to open its service area to competition. AGL started by separating its gas bill into two parts: regulated distribution of gas, and supply of the gas commodity. Unlike most other areas open to choice, AGL decided to completely exit the business of supplying customers with the gas commodity, and now only delivers gas to customers. Georgia's other local distribution company, Atmos Energy, has not opened its market to competition.

Customers can no longer buy gas supply from AGL, but the Public Service Commission did designate a 'regulated provider' (currently SCANA Energy) for last resort service. The regulated provider provides natural gas service to low-income households and consumers who have been unable to obtain or maintain natural gas service from another natural gas marketer. AGL continues to deliver gas to customers through their pipes.

With AGL out of the supply business, customers may choose their gas supplier on any criteria they want -- price, length of contract, customer service, etc. Since AGL does not provide supply service, there is no longer a benchmark price in the market, and marketers are competing freely to win customers' business.

No matter who you choose to buy energy from, AGL will continue to deliver your gas and respond to service interruptions and outages. You will still pay AGL for these services, but will be billed by your gas marketer on a single bill listing your supply charges from your marketer, and your AGL delivery charges.