Hecht bill takes on natural gas problems

Hecht bill takes

on natural gas problems

State Sen.

Greg Hecht, who represents north Fayette, has filed a measure aimed at

slowing natural gas price increases and improving billing procedures.

Senate Resolution

13 forms a study committee to field complaints and input from citizens

and businesses around the state, gain explanations from providers, review

billing processes, and to look for legislative solutions to changing prices,

demand and changing times with regard to the provision of natural gas.

"We need

to find answers to the continuing problems facing our constituents regarding

the provision of natural gas," said Hecht. "While not laying

blame, we need to determine the reasons behind the continuing escalation

in natural gas prices, demand problems and billing irregularities posed

to consumers recently.

"Citizens,

businesses and the Legislature deserve to know the reasons for these problems

and any potential solutions for enactment," he added.

Lawmakers need

to find out the effect of deregulation on natural gas pricing and billing

practices, Hecht said. "No one is stating that deregulation caused

the increase in prices, but whether deregulation has resulted in increased

prices or not is an area which must be determined," he said.

Businesses

and citizens have had their bills delayed as much as 90 days, he said,

resulting in huge bills being delivered at one time. Many industry representatives

said prices would level off or go down after deregulation, and that hasn't

happened, he added.

"In this

most pressing time of winter for our homes and businesses, the issues

of the provision, billing and pricing of natural gas is critical to Georgia

citizens and businesses," he said.

The study committee

will request citizen, business and provider input, according to Hecht,

and will request information and assistance from the Public Service Commission,

and the legislators will request recommendations.

Hecht hopes

to pass the resolution for a study committee that would begin hearings

in May or June. "The result will hopefully include legislative remedies

and more tools for the PSC to handle problems," he said.

Hecht's 34th

District includes portions of Clayton, Douglas, Fayette and Fulton counties.