| Commission Role in Electric Restructuring |
In 1997, prior to any state or federal legislation, the Commission took the initiative to examine electric
restructuring in Georgia. To evaluate ways to minimize adverse impacts of opening the industry to retail
competition, the Commission held workshops and opened generic proceedings to investigate the structure
of the electric industry in its current and possible future forms.
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Between April 1997 to July 1997, the Commission held four public hearings to discuss various aspects of
electric restructuring relevant to Georgia and issued a final report in January 1998 (Docket No. 7313-U:
Georgia Public Service Commission Staff Report on Electric Industry Restructuring). The hearings considered
such issues as the impact of competition on the consumer, the environment, energy efficiency, stranded
costs and changes in public policy. Given the magnitude of the issues, focus groups were created to
address five restructuring topics. Participating with the Commission were electric utilities, public
advocacy groups, commercial and residential users and Georgia homeowners.
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