Bill > SB206

This bill creates the South Georgia Energy Authority, a public body corporate and politic that will serve five cities in South Georgia (Ashburn, Douglas, Fitzgerald, Ocilla, and Tifton) with a primary focus on acquiring, transmitting, and distributing natural gas. The Authority will be governed by an eight-member board consisting of one representative from each city and three additional members with economic development experience. The bill grants the Authority broad powers to acquire property, issue revenue bonds, enter into contracts, construct and operate gas-related facilities, and provide natural gas services to the participating cities and potentially directly to consumers. Importantly, the Authority will be exempt from Georgia Public Service Commission regulation, similar to a municipality, and will have tort immunity and tax exemption. The revenue bonds issued by the Authority will be payable solely from the Authority's revenues and will not constitute a debt of the state or participating cities. The Authority cannot levy taxes and is designed to be a flexible, self-sustaining entity that can help improve energy infrastructure and services in the participating South Georgia cities.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70495