Protecting Utility Customers
Established in 1994 by the General Assembly, the Consumer Advocate represents the interests of Tennessee consumers of investor-owned electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and sewer companies. Generally, the Consumer Advocate seeks to enforce laws applicable to public utilities, to remove barriers to competition in public utilities markets, and to seek a healthy balance between regulation, competition and the public interest.
The Consumer Advocate participates in regulatory proceedings and monitors complaints filed against various utilities in the state. The majority of the formal advocacy involves proceedings before the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA.) The TRA is the agency responsible for regulating Tennessee's investor-owned utility companies. The Consumer Advocate reviews rate filings, applications, and other matters, participates in proceedings, offers expert testimony, and files legal motions and briefs as necessary.
Consumer Advocate Saves Atmos Customers $4.9 Million Annually
Atmos Energy Corporation is engaged in the business of transporting, distributing and selling natural gas in Bedford, Blount, Carter, Greene, Hamblen, Maury, Moore Obion, Rutherford, Sullivan, and Williamson Counties and is regulated by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA). Atmos serves approximately 129,000 Tennessee customers.
In October 2008, Atmos filed for a rate increase at the TRA seeking a 14.82% increase for each class of customers: residential and public authority, commercial, industrial. After preparing the matter for hearing, the Consumer Advocate and the utility agreed to reduce the rate increase to 4.9%. The TRA approved the settlement on April 7, 2009.
Considering the concessions made by the utility, the Consumer Advocate’s involvement in this rate case filing will save the Atmos customers over $4,876,047 annually...read the full Atmos press release or the filings in the Atmos proceedings.
