| Q. |
What is the Regulated Provider Program? |
| A. |
The Regulated Provider Program was established as a provision of the Natural Gas Consumers' Relief Act to provide natural gas service to low income residential consumers and consumers who are unable to obtain or maintain service from a gas marketer. |
| Q. |
What is the difference between the Regulated Provider and a gas marketer? |
| A. |
The Regulated Provider's price of natural gas is subject to regulation by the Georgia Public Service Commission and a gas marketer's prices are not. |
| Q. |
Who is the current Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
The Georgia Public Service Commission recently announced that SCANA Energy has been awarded the Regulated Provider for another term beginning September 1, 2007. A role that SCANA Energy has maintained since 2002. |
| Q. |
Isn't SCANA Energy a gas marketer? How can SCANA Energy serve as the Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
Yes. The Regulated Provider bid process was open to all certificated marketers in Georgia. Although SCANA Energy is a certificated gas marketer, it will serve customers as the Regulated Provider separately from its deregulated business. |
| Q. |
Can anyone get service with the Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
The legislation that created the Regulated Provider identifies who is eligible for the program.
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46-4-166 |
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(a) |
By July 1, 2002, the Commission shall select a Regulated Provider of natural gas to serve: |
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1. |
Group 1, low income residential consumers; and |
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2. |
Group 2, firm natural gas consumers: |
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A) |
Who have been unable to obtain or maintain natural gas commodity service; or |
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B) |
Whose utility payment history was cited by the Regulated Provider as reason for transfer from Group 1 to Group 2. | |
| Q. |
How do I determine if I am eligible for service from the Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
To receive service from the Regulated Provider as a low-income consumer (Group 1), you will need to meet the low-income requirements established by the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Contact the DHR at 1-800-869-1150 for the Community Action agency in your area. The Community Action Agency will explain the requirements and assist you in signing up for service. You are not required to apply for LIHEAP to receive service from the Regulated Provider. The Community Action Agency will qualify you or if you have been approved for LIHEAP, you are automatically qualified to receive service from the Regulated Provider. Qualifications for the Regulated Provider Program are performed year round. The only requirement to qualify for the program as a high-risk (Group 2) consumer is the inability to obtain or maintain gas service from another marketer. |
| Q. |
What is LIHEAP? |
| A. |
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHR to help low income households meet their heating and cooling needs. To qualify for LIHEAP, a consumer must meet the following requirements:
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1. |
Income at or below 150% of the poverty level for Georgia:
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| 2008-2009 Household Qualifications |
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One-Person Household |
$15,600 |
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Two-Person Household |
$21,000 |
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Three-Person Household |
$26,400 |
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Four-Person Household |
$31,800 |
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Five Person Household |
$37,200 |
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Six Person Household |
$42,600 |
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Seven Person Household |
$48,000 |
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Eight or More Person Household |
$53,400 |
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Nine or more persons, add $5,400 for each additional household member. |
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2. |
Responsibility for paying the cost of energy for the primary home heating source. |
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3. |
Are U.S. citizens or legally admitted aliens. | |
| Q. |
Will my rate be lower with the Regulated Provider than with another marketer? |
| A. |
The rate you are charged will be determined by the plan you select. Under SCANA Energy Regulated Provider’s pricing plan. Additionally, low-income senior citizens will receive a 10 cents per therm discount. However, there is no guarantee that the Regulated Provider’s prices will always be less than the deregulated market. The rate for Group 2 customers may be higher than the current market rates to offset the added costs and risks associated with serving these customers. |
| Q. |
What type of pricing plans will the Regulated Provider offer? |
| A. |
SCANA Energy will offer two pricing plans as the Regulated Provider: A variable rate plan which is subject to change based on market conditions and a fixed rate plan which bills monthly at a fixed price per therm. The effective price per therm at the time you select the plan will determine the per therm price you will be charged per month. Gas service will be billed monthly at a fixed price per therm and consumers choosing this plan will be required to stay on the plan for a specified period of time. |
| Q. |
What is the monthly customer service charge? |
| A. |
The customer service charge is $2.95 for Group 1 senior residential customers, $3.95 for Group 1 non-senior customers, and $10.95 for Group 2 customers. |
| Q. |
Will I have to pay a deposit with the Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
The deposit for Group 1 customers under SCANA Energy's terms of service will not exceed $100. The deposit for Group 2 customers will not exceed $150. |
| Q. |
How do I sign up with the Regulated Provider? |
| A. |
If you have received LIHEAP funds within the past year, you may be able to apply for service from the Regulated Provider right away. If you have not previously received LIHEAP funds, but may still qualify as a low-income consumer, call DHR at 1-800-869-1150 and they will refer you to the Community Action Agency that services your area. The Community Action agency will verify your eligibility and forward your information to SCANA Energy. After your eligibility has been determined, call SCANA Energy Regulated Division at 1-866-245-7742. You will need to supply your full legal name (as it appears on your social security card); date of birth; social security number; address where the service is to be established. Please allow seven days to have gas service turned on. If you are switching from a deregulated gas marketer, please allow up to 45 days for your billing to be switched to SCANA Energy Regulated Division. If your natural gas service is presently disconnected or is in danger of being disconnected, you may qualify for the program. |
| Q. |
Can I switch to the Regulated Provider if I still owe money to my current marketer? |
| A. |
If you qualify for Group 1, you may switch to the Regulated Provider regardless of your collection status with your current marketer. You are entitled to switch without loss of service as well. If you do not qualify for Group 1, but have been disconnected from the system, you may receive service from the Regulated Provider under Group 2. |
