Georgia’s energy plan originated in 2006 by direction of Governor Perdue who directed the state energy office to lead an inclusive, statewide stakeholder process to develop a comprehensive energy plan. In 2006, the SES recommendations prioritized the existing options to meet the state’s energy needs including using increased energy efficiency and conservation as a base. In 2009, the Georgia Energy Finance Authority released its first update to the SES which included updated energy supply and demand data, changes in policy and implementation and changes in energy resources and initiatives in the state. Georgia’s 2012 update contains a state energy profile and an inventory of actions the state has taken to implement the 2006 State Energy Strategy (SES) and 2009 SES Update. Of note, the plan calls out AGL Resources’ STRIDE program, noting that the triennial infrastructure study is focused on ensuring adequate pipeline infrastructure to move gas demanded across the company’s footprint. As well, the plan calls out the economic development pilot program portion of STRIDE aimed at extending distribution facilities to areas of the state where natural gas is presently unavailable.

While Georgia’s gas utilities are not required to offer Energy Efficiency Programs, Atlanta Gas Light does offer an energy efficiency program.

In October of 2009, the Georgia PSC approved the Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (STRIDE) Program for AGL Resources, Inc. STRIDE provides for a rider on customer bills that allows AGL to recover costs associated with traditional infrastructure replacement, as well as infrastructure expansion relating to customer growth and economic development. On December 12, 2013 AGL received unanimous approval from the Georgia PSC for the second phase of its STRIDE program. In its decision, the Georgia PSC noted that the decision was reached as part of its essential role in promoting economic development in the state. Under the terms of the agreement, AGL will install new pipelines and other facilities to improve capacity and pressure in several counties within its Georgia footprint. As well, the company received approval for $46 million for expansion of its load growth program to expand its distribution system into unserved and underserved areas within the state. During the first phase of STRIDE, AGL reported that its extension expenditures reached approximately $45 million. As a result of Phase 2 of the program, customers will see an additional 48 cents per month on their bills beginning in January 2015. That increase will be followed by a 48 cent increase in 2016 and a 47 cent increase in 2017.

In 1998, AGL Resources began a 15 year Pipeline Replacement Program (PRP), which, at the time, was reviewed annually by the Georgia PSC—the PSC reviewed the utility’s infrastructure replacement expenses from the previous year and then approved a new surcharge amount. Later, the commission agreed to a fixed dollar amount of expense to be recovered in rates over the remaining 7 years of the program. In 2009, the Georgia PSC approved the expanding of the PRP to include investments for infrastructure expansion. PRP is now included as part of the Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (STRIDE) Program for AGL Resources. STRIDE provides for a rider on customer bills that will allow AGL to recover costs associated with both traditional infrastructure replacement, as well as infrastructure expansion relating to customer growth and economic development. In 2000, Liberty Utilities (then Atmos) received approval to implement a pipe replacement surcharge for its Georgia customers. In September of 2013, AGL received approval to replace 756 miles of vintage plastic pipe over 4 years.

On November 29, 2011, the Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGL), received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission for a Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure Program. This program is intended to stimulate the development of CNG fueling stations. Under this program, AGL will not sell CNG directly to retail customers and will not provide the land for the CNG stations. AGL installs, owns and maintains CNG equipment for project developers. WEC Energy Corp. subsidiary Trillium CNG owns and operates stations in Perry, Atlanta, Savannah and Tifton.

Since 1998, Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) has utilized a modified straight-fixed-variable rate design that enables the company to recover non-gas costs throughout the year consistent with the incurrence of these costs, essentially eliminating the need for a revenue decoupling mechanism. Initially, AGL instituted a level monthly charge per customer for gas distribution services. The PSC subsequently replaced this level monthly charge with a sculpted rate that reduces the amount collected during summer months and increases the charge in the winter. Liberty Utilities operates under a rate stabilization mechanism.