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Many Gainesville citizens may not realize natural gas rates are about to go up. Atmos Energy has requested a rate increase from the Georgia Public Service Commission. If approved, the rates will increase about $4 per month for residents in Gainesville, Oakwood and the Columbus-Fort Benning area. This equates to an increase of $3.7 million.
The Hall County Republican Executive Committee voted unanimously at its monthly meeting Feb. 9 to aggressively oppose the rate increase. It was felt that our citizens are having the most difficult times in years and any increase in rates is unthinkable.
Gainesville businesses have been and are continuing to tighten their belts and fighting to survive on a daily basis. Homeowners are losing their homes and life savings. To prove the point, just look at the listing of foreclosures in The Times.
To share your views with the PSC, you can contact the Georgia Public Service Commission, 244 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334-9052; phone, 800-282-5813, 404-656-4501; fax, 404-656-2341; e-mail, gapsc@psc.state.ga.us; Web site. Refer to the rate case as docket No. 30442.
Jim Pilgrim
Chairman, Hall County Republican Party, Gainesville