Your Atlanta Gas Light bill can seem complex because it combines charges from two separate companies: AGL (delivery) and your gas marketer (supply). This guide walks through each line item so you can understand exactly what you're paying for.
A typical Georgia natural gas bill includes 5-8 distinct charges, plus taxes and fees. Understanding each component helps you identify opportunities to reduce costs and verify that your bill is accurate.
Atlanta Gas Light Delivery Charges
The AGL portion of your bill includes:
- Customer Charge ($20.00/month): Fixed monthly fee for service connection, meter reading, and billing
- Base Delivery Charge: Per-therm fee for transporting gas through AGL's pipeline network
- Pipeline Replacement Program: Surcharge funding infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements
- Environmental Response Cost: Recovery of environmental compliance costs
These charges are regulated by the Georgia PSC and are the same for all customers regardless of gas marketer choice.
Gas Marketer Supply Charges
Your marketer's charges typically include:
- Gas Supply Charge: Per-therm cost of the natural gas commodity
- Monthly Service Fee: Some marketers charge $5-10/month in addition to per-therm rates
The supply charge is calculated by multiplying your therm usage by your contracted rate. If you're on a variable plan, this rate changes monthly based on market conditions.
Taxes and Fees
Additional charges on your bill may include:
- State Sales Tax: Georgia sales tax on energy services
- Local Franchise Fees: Fees paid to your city/county for use of public rights-of-way
- Universal Service Fund: Supports low-income assistance programs
These charges are typically a small percentage of your total bill but can add $5-15 depending on your usage and location.
Reading Your Bill Statement
Your bill statement shows your current and previous meter readings, the number of therms used, and a breakdown of all charges. The "billing period" dates tell you exactly which days are covered by each bill.
If your bill seems unusually high, compare your therm usage to the same month last year (if available) and check that the meter reading matches what's displayed on your meter. Learn more about verifying your bill.