Rule 515-7-13-.07 - Regulated Provider Transition Process(1) If the Commission issues an Order selecting a new Regulated Provider, the incumbent Regulated Provider and the newly selected Regulated Provider shall meet to negotiate the transfer of customers, accounts receivable, any computer system transfers, storage volumes, and any other issues that should be addressed. The parties shall provide updates to the Commission at no less than thirty (30) day intervals after the issuance of the Commission's Order selecting a new Regulated Provider.(2) The incumbent Regulated Provider and the winning Bidder shall negotiate the terms of Accounts Receivable transaction (including any flat fees, discounted rates, date(s) for transactions, etc.). If the parties cannot negotiate acceptable terms within a pre-determined timeframe, the Commission shall determine the terms for the transaction. For purposes of this rule, the pre-determined timeframe shall be no longer than forty-five (45) days after the Commission issues an Order selecting a new Regulated Provider.(3) The newly selected Regulated Provider shall send at least two (2) notices by mail or by using the consumer preferred method of communication to all Regulated Provider customers notifying the customers of the change in the Regulated Provider. (a) The notices shall be reviewed and approved by the Commission Staff prior to sending to customers. The notices shall contain, at a minimum, the following language: 1. "Beginning on [effective date of transfer], your Regulated Provider natural gas service will be provided by [new Regulated Provider]."2. "Your Group 1 [variable/fixed] rate will be as follows $[amount] per therm, and your customer service charge will be $[amount]" or "Your Group 2 [variable/fixed] rate will be as follows $[amount] per therm, and your customer service charge will be $[amount]."3. "You are still required to pay any remaining balances or past due amounts to the previous Regulated Provider, [Incumbent Regulated Provider]."4. "Your last bill from the previous Regulated Provider, [Incumbent Regulated Provider] will be due within xx days of receipt."(b) The first notice shall be sent sixty (60) days in advance of the transition and would provide detailed information on the date the new Regulated Provider will begin billing customers, any changes to the terms of service and new contact information.(c) The second and final notice would be sent thirty (30) days in advance of the transition and would include the new Regulated Provider's welcome kit and a message from the incumbent Regulated Provider advising customers that this would be the last bill from the incumbent Regulated Provider.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-7-13-.07
O.C.G.A. §§ 46-2-30, 46-4-150et seq. (See especially, O.C.G.A. § 46-4-166)
Original Rule entitled "Regulated Provider Transition Process" adopted. F. Aug. 27, 2008; eff. Sept. 16, 2008.Amended: F. July 23, 2018; eff. August 12, 2018.