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Atlanta residents can choose from a variety of natural gas providers including an investor-owned local distribution company, municipal gas system or natural gas marketer. Depending on the area in which you live, you may have a choice between multiple providers, giving you the opportunity to select your natural gas company through price and service comparison.
Atlanta Gas Light discontinued sales of natural gas directly to consumers but continues to distribute gas to marketers who in turn sell the product to the consumers. Atlanta Gas Light is responsible for the natural gas infrastructure in its service area, operating and maintaining gas pipes, reading meters and responding to gas leaks and other emergency calls. The company established in 1856 installed the first gas streetlights in Atlanta and 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 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, South, Georgia Natural Gas, Infinite Energy, Inc., MXenergy, SCANA Energy, Stream Energy, and Walton EMC Natural Gas.
When choosing a natural gas provider, Atlanta residents have the ability to select a company based on price, payment plans and service. Once you determine the natural gas providers that offer service in your area, you can select the company that best meets your needs. To receive the most accurate pricing from a natural gas provider, 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 provider in giving you a specific quote on your monthly fees.
Reputation and customer service are important in selecting a natural gas provider. Check with friends and neighbors who share your service area and ask about their experience with their gas company. You should receive prompt and friendly service when you call and your natural gas provider should have on-line services that are helpful and easy to use. If you have trouble accessing information or understanding the provider’s billing structure, you will likely be unsatisfied in the long run.
Price is a major consideration when choosing from among all the natural gas providers in the Atlanta area. Be sure to inquire about any additional fees and any discounts that may be available to you. Many natural gas providers offer multiple payment plans and should take the time to 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 provider, 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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