Demand for

natural gas is also on the upswing in Georgia. Consumption of natural

gas in the state increased 46 percent from 1999 to 2000 according to the

American Gas Association. For the third straight year, 70 percent of single-family

homes completed in 2000 featured natural gas heat, according to the 2000

Residential Natural Gas Market Survey released by the American Gas Association.

The residential natural gas customer base reached 59 million in 2000,

61 percent of total U.S. households.

Energy efficiency

Energy is the

second largest cost of owning a home after a mortgage, so buying an energy-efficient

home can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year. In addition, energy-efficient

enhancements such as upgraded appliances, sufficient insulation and automatic

thermostats can further increase a home's market value.

Millard Bowen,

president of Bowen and Bowen Homebuilders, said, "Natural gas has

been consumers' first choice for home heating for more than 12 years,

because customers prefer the comfort, reliability and value of natural

gas heat. Along with natural gas heating systems, recent trends in homebuilding

are to include natural gas fireplaces, barbecue grills, standby generators

and other amenities in new homes to meet consumer demand and add to property

resale value."

A recent online

survey conducted by Atlanta Gas Light Company asked consumers how important

it is to have natural gas available within the premises. Of the 1,160

Georgia residents participating in the survey, over 65 percent answered

that having natural gas in their home is very important.

Susan McLaughlin,

president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light Company, said, "The overall

energy efficiency of natural gas is superior to any other commonly used

fossil fuel. Regardless of cyclical fluctuations in price, natural gas

is a great value to consumers over the lifetime of their home."

Gas heating

systems have a longer shelf life than electric systems and provide precise

temperature control with programmable thermostats. In addition, gas water

heaters can deliver up to twice as much hot water as electric models in

the same amount of time. Gas stoves offer the fastest, most precise cooking

- even if the electricity goes out - and are preferred by most top chefs.

Environmentally-friendly

energy source

Natural gas

is the cleanest fossil fuel, another advantage for many environmentally-conscious

consumers. Its simple chemical make-up compared to the more complex structure

of oil and coal makes natural gas cleaner burning. According to the American

Gas Association, using more natural gas could actually help reduce the

amount of carbon dioxide in the air by about 10 percent of total emissions.

According to

the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), "Of the three fossil

fuels that dominate the U.S. energy market, natural gas is by far the

cleanest burning fuel. It is, therefore, a key part of NRDC's energy policy

the bridge to greater reliance on cleaner and renewable forms of energy."

Atlanta Gas

Light Company is the largest natural gas distributor in the Southeast

and provides delivery service to more than 1.5 million customers in Georgia.

It also is the primary subsidiary of AGL Resources, a regional energy

holding company with operations throughout the Southeast, including Chattanooga,

Tennessee and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Although natural gas

distribution is AGL Resources' core business, it also is engaged in other

energy-related businesses, including asset management and trading, retail

energy marketing and telecommunications infrastructure. For more information,

visit www.AtlantaGasLight.com.

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