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Atlanta residents can choose a natural gas company from a variety of different sources. Gas companies include investor-owned local distribution companies, municipal gas systems and natural gas marketers. Depending on residential address, customers may have a choice between multiple providers. This allows each gas company the chance to offer competitive pricing and service options.
The gas distribution is managed primarily by Atlanta Gas Light, a company established more than 150 years ago to provide gas-powered energy and streetlights to the city. Today the company is responsible for the natural gas infrastructure including operating and maintaining gas pipes, reading meters and responding to gas leaks and other emergency calls. It is now the largest natural gas distributor in the Southeast and the eighth largest in the United States.
Atmos Energy Corporation is the only local-distribution gas company in Georgia and is fully regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission. There are also 84 municipal gas systems that provide natural gas to their residents. Approved natural gas marketers constitute the remaining natural gas providers in the Atlanta area. These include Catalyst Natural Gas, Commerce Energy, Inc., Coweta-Fayette EMC Natural Gas, FireSide Natural Gas, Georgia Natural Gas, Infinite Energy, Inc., MXenergy, SCANA Energy, Stream Energy, and Walton EMC Natural Gas.
When choosing a natural gas company, Atlanta residents are free to select a company based on price, payment plans and service. Once a customer determines the natural gas company or companies that offer service in his or her area, he or she can select the company that offers the best price and best service. To receive the most accurate pricing from a natural gas company is it helpful to review your gas bill from the past several months to determine your household’s average therm use and your Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC). The DDDC represents the cost of delivering natural gas to your home on the coldest day of the year. These two numbers will assist the gas company in giving you a specific quote on your monthly fees.
Reputation and customer service are important in selecting a natural gas company. Check with friends and neighbors who share your service area and ask about their experience with their gas company. You should expect and demand prompt and professional service and your natural gas company should have on-line services that are helpful and easy to use. If you have trouble accessing information or understanding the company’s billing structure ask for assistance or choose another gas company.
Price is a major consideration when choosing a natural gas company in the Atlanta area. Be sure to inquire about any additional fees and any discounts that may be available to you. Almost every natural gas company offers multiple payment plans and will explain the various options to help you determine the best and most economical plan for your household. Before committing to a long-term contract with a natural gas company make sure you understand and agree to all the contract terms including disconnect and reconnect fees, cancellation policies, and switching procedures and fees in the event you ever want to move or change providers.
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