Link: Georgia General Assembly
Summary:
Reestablishes the Consumers’ Utility Counsel (CUC) to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission (PSC) or other agencies concerning public utilities.
Details:
The CUC would have the authority to represent both residential and small businesses to ensure rate fairness with all utilities under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission or other state agencies, as well as with federal agencies or other bodies with jurisdiction over rates, services, or other matters related to services provided by any utility doing business in Georgia. The director of the CUC would be a lawyer appointed by the governor, and the CUC office would be under the direction of the PSC, and funded from appropriations to the PSC. While the CUC is intended to represent the interests of Georgia utility customers, being under the PSC would not make the CUC an independent entity as it had been in its previous existence. For reestablishment of the CUC to provide effective representation of the needs of the residential and small business customers, the CUC would need to be an independent organization not under the budget or
direction of the PSC. Otherwise, the CUC would be duplicative of the PSC Public Interest Advocacy staff.
Stance: Favor if amended as noted; otherwise, oppose
Action:
Contact members of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Here.