In Georgia, the Georgia Environment Finance Division of Energy Resources promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy assistance programs that improve environmental quality, strengthen quality of life, and stimulate sustainable economic development.
The functions of the Georgia Environment Finance Division of Energy Resources include:
- administering proven programs;
- providing critical energy information resources; and
- promoting cost effective energy solutions for public and private entities.
Georgia is heavily dependent on conventional energy resources such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. The State Energy Program (SEP) supports activities that strive to increase the production and use of native energy resources such as biomass, solar, and wind energy. It increases energy security, reduce price volatility and contribute to a clean environment. The SEP is funded by a formula grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide federal financial assistance and technical support to the States for energy programs.
The Georgia Environment Finance Division of Energy Resources administers SEP funds among the following categories:
- building energy efficiency;
- agriculture and industry;
- transportation;
- renewable energy;
- government and public facilities; and
- policy and planning
The Georgia Environment Finance Division of Energy Resource’s state utilities program supports managers and administrators in developing energy procurement and management strategies. The program controls the state’s energy costs, reduces the State’s energy consumption, and improves the state’s overall environmental performance.
The Georgia Public Service Commission is a public utilities commission and a quasi-judicial tribunal. It regulates telecommunications, transportation, electric, and natural gas services in the State of Georgia. The commission ensures that consumers receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced telecommunications, transportation, electric, and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies.
The commission regulates the rates charged and the services provided by most intrastate, investor-owned telecommunications, natural gas, and electric utilities operating in Georgia. The commission regulates pipeline safety regulations. The four main kinds of utilities regulated by the PSC are: electric, gas, telecommunications, and transportation. The commission is the last resort of many Georgia consumers in resolving their problems with utilities regulated by the commission. The commission establishes rules that allow utility companies to operate more freely. It empowers consumers with the right information to make wise decisions. The commission examines petitions submitted by the utilities for changes in rates on the rate of return regulated companies.
Georgia Environment Finance Authority’s Division of Energy Resources