Low Income Terms and Conditions of Service
SCANA ENERGY MARKETING, LLC D/B/A SCANA ENERGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR GROUP 1 - LOW-INCOME REGULATED PROVIDER CUSTOMERS
SCANA ENERGY MARKETING, LLC D/B/A SCANA ENERGY TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR GROUP 1 - LOW-INCOME REGULATED PROVIDER CUSTOMERS
These Terms and Conditions with the Disclosure Statement outline the agreement between you and SCANA Energy Marketing, LLC d/b/a SCANA Energy ("SCANA Energy" or “We” or “Us”) for your natural gas service. This agreement is subject to the Natural Gas Consumers Relief Act and other laws and regulations of the Georgia Public Service Commission ("Commission") applicable to natural gas service.
Eligibility:
Customers are qualified for Group 1 if they meet the definition of “low-income” as established by the Department of Human Services.
How to Sign Up
Call 866.245.7742
A credit check using a standard industry scoring methodology will be performed before your new service is established. Based on the results of the credit check, you may be assessed a deposit not to exceed $100 or have deposit requirements waived. The credit check may also be used to verify your identity. Deposits will be waived for senior citizens who have been verified by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) or as defined by Atlanta Gas Light (AGL).
Your deposit plus accrued interest, if applicable, will be refunded to your account within sixty (60) days if all bills have been paid in full and on time as indicated on your monthly bills for a period of six (6) consecutive months, or you have the option to request a check for your applied deposit refund. If you change marketers or discontinue service, your deposit, less any outstanding balance with SCANA Energy, will be refunded within sixty (60) days. Any deposit held six (6) months or longer will accrue applicable interest.
Right of Rescission
A consumer shall have a three-day right of rescission following the receipt of this disclosure at the time of initiating service or when informed of a change in terms or conditions. You, the consumer, may cancel in writing or electronically by contacting SCANA Energy.
The cancellation will be deemed timely if you contact us within three (3) days of receiving materials or notice. You can contact us by telephone, e-mail, or U.S. mail. If the contact is by U.S. mail, it must be postmarked by the third day following receipt of materials or notice.
Connection Fees
When establishing service with the Regulated Provider, a connection fee will be assessed by AGL. If your service is disconnected for non-payment, a reconnection fee up to $25 will be charged, in addition to any fees assessed by AGL.
AGL Switching Fee
Customers who have already switched marketers within the last twelve (12) months may incur an AGL switching fee of $7.50.
Bill Components
Your natural gas bill will be comprised of the following charges:
Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Pass-Through Charges
The AGL Pass-Through Charge is a regulated charge from the utility that is billed through each gas marketer. SCANA Energy bills the full pass-through charge regardless of the number of days of service.
Natural Gas Consumption Charges
The natural gas consumption charge does not include state and local taxes or charges imposed by AGL. The methodology for calculating natural gas consumption charges for each plan is described below.
Variable Price Option
The variable price is subject to change monthly based on market conditions. For customers electing this plan, the natural gas consumption charge will be calculated using the variable price in effect on the first day of the billing cycle multiplied by usage for that billing period. A billing cycle is approximately one month; however, the actual number of days may vary with each billing cycle. You may receive an initial bill for less than a complete billing cycle.
Senior citizens will receive a $0.10 per therm discount off the Group 1 variable price that is filed with the Commission.
Fixed Price Option
Customers electing the fixed price option will receive service at $0.05 per therm below SCANA Energy’s “SCANA 6 Month Fixed” or “SCANA 12 Month Fixed” price that is filed with the Commission. The term for the fixed price option will be six (6) or twelve (12) billing cycles. If there are six (6) or more but less than twelve (12) billing cycles left in the Regulated Provider term, the term for the fixed price option will be six (6) billing cycles or the number of billing cycles left in the Regulated Provider term. If there are less than six (6) billing cycles left in the Regulated Provider term, the term for the fixed price option will be the number of billing cycles left in the Regulated Provider term. If the term chosen for the fixed price option is the number of billing cycles left in the Regulated Provider term, the fixed price will be based on the “SCANA 12 Month Fixed” price. A fixed price option will be offered throughout the term of the Regulated Provider. All Group 1 senior citizens, electing the fixed price option, will be offered a $0.10 per therm discount off SCANA Energy’s “SCANA 6 Month Fixed” or “SCANA 12 Month Fixed” price that is filed with the Commission. The natural gas consumption charge will be calculated using the fixed price multiplied by usage for that billing period. A billing cycle is approximately one month; however, the actual number of days may vary with each billing cycle. SCANA Energy uses billing cycles to determine the length of a fixed rate plan term. You may receive an initial bill for less than a complete billing cycle. Exiting a fixed rate plan early carries an early termination fee in addition to any balance due regardless of how long you have participated in the fixed rate plan. Your early termination fee is outlined in the Disclosure statement.
You will not be charged an early termination fee if you are terminating service to relocate to another premise where a fixed rate is not offered by SCANA Energy, or if you are a low-income residential customer seeking service from the regulated provider for the first time.
Prior to the expiration date of your fixed rate plan, or whenever we propose to change our terms of service in any type of agreement, you will receive advance written notification, or notification by way of your preferred method of communication. We will explain your options in the advance notification, including your opportunity to choose another natural gas provider.
Customer Service Charge
You will be assessed a fixed charge per bill to cover administrative expenses. SCANA Energy assesses a full customer service charge for each bill regardless of the number of days of service. The customer service charge is $3.50. The customer service charge for senior citizens is $1.50.
Taxes
You are responsible for all taxes, fees, levies, penalties, licenses or charges imposed by any government authority with respect to services rendered. The prices quoted do not include state and local taxes.
Billing and Collection
SCANA Energy will invoice you monthly. Payment is due by the payment due date. In the event payment is not received by the due date, a $10 or 1.5% late charge, whichever is greater, will be applied to unpaid balances of $30 or more.
We will not send estimated bills when actual meter readings are available and will not send estimated bills more than two (2) consecutive months.
There is a $30 charge for any payment that is dishonored or returned unpaid by a financial institution. If two (2) payments are dishonored or returned unpaid by your financial institution within a twelve (12) month period, your account will become a cash-basis account, meaning you will be required to pay your account by cash, cashier’s check or money order. If your account becomes a cash-basis account, SCANA Energy reserves the right to discontinue any of the electronic payment services being made available to you. This should not affect your ability to view the status of your account.
After a twelve (12) month period with no payments dishonored or returned unpaid, the cash basis designation will be removed from your account.
If you do not make a payment in full within seventy-five (75) days of the date your bill is mailed or posted electronically your service may be disconnected. You will be sent a disconnection notice fifteen (15) days prior to the date of disconnection advising you of the availability of one reasonable payment arrangement unless you failed to honor a previous payment arrangement. A Final Notice will be sent by electronic methods, or U.S. Mail to your last known mailing address five (5) days prior to disconnection and will constitute sufficient good faith effort to contact you under this agreement.
Service will be disconnected for failure to pay SCANA Energy. Service will not be disconnected for non-payment of a bill that was not sent in a timely manner. You are entitled to a reasonable payment arrangement prior to disconnection of service unless you have failed to honor a previous payment arrangement. Your receipt of a reasonable payment arrangement does not constitute a waiver by SCANA Energy of any other rights under the Terms and Conditions and this Disclosure Statement including, but not limited to, SCANA Energy's right to subsequently disconnect service. You are responsible for your consumption charges and all other charges associated with natural gas consumption until the disconnection has been made.
We will continue to seek collection of any outstanding debt even if you no longer receive natural gas service through SCANA Energy. The account may be sent to a third-party collection agency and/or an attorney for collection purposes. We retain the right to seek additional costs associated with collecting the debt.
If you have a bill dispute, SCANA Energy has thirty (30) days from the date the error is reported or acknowledged by us to correct the billing error or to show proof of why the disputed bill is correct. During the period the billing error is being disputed, SCANA Energy will neither impose a late charge or penalty on the disputed amount nor initiate an action to disconnect your service or collect on the past due balance, provided the disputed amount constitutes the total amount of the past due balance. Any undisputed amount must be paid by the due date. Failure to pay the undisputed amount may result in late charges or service disconnection. In the event the billing error results in an overpayment, a credit will be applied to your account. You will have at least ninety (90) days from the date a correct bill is rendered to pay the corrected amount. No late charges or interest will be charged on the corrected amount during the ninety (90) day period.
SCANA Energy reserves the right in any subsequent bill to include adjustments related to previous billing errors, meter read errors, miscalculation of taxes, or other errors or omissions.
Payment Options
Mail
SCANA Energy
PO Box 105046
Atlanta, GA 30348-5046
Online
Use checking or savings account to make secure payments. There is no charge for this service.
Use credit or debit card to make secure payments. There is no charge for this service when you pay through your online account. If you are not logged into your online account, the fee for this service is $3.50 per transaction. Visit scanaenergyregulated.com for details.
Phone
Pay with credit card, electronic check, or ATM debit card through BillMatrix. BillMatrix receives a $3.50 fee for this service and is a third-party vendor available toll-free by calling 866.245.7742.
In Person
Pay in person at an authorized payment location. In person payments may be subject to a transaction fee. For a list of payment locations call 866.245.7742 or visit scanaenergyregulated.com.
LIHEAP and other energy assistance payments are accepted. For more information on assistance locations, visit scanaenergyregulated.com.
Budget Billing
The Budget Billing Plan averages a customer’s forecasted annual bills over a twelve (12) month period. Changes to the monthly Budget Billing amount may be made during the year if a rate change occurs or if the actual usage changes significantly. An annual adjustment is scheduled after twelve (12) monthly bills. At that time, the Budget Billing amount will be recalculated based on the actual usage during the prior year and the payments and charges are reconciled. If the total amount of payments were not enough to cover the actual charges for the previous year, the difference will be brought forward as part of the new monthly Budget Billing amount. If the payments were more than the actual charges, the credit amount will be applied in the calculation of the next year’s monthly Budget Billing amount. Monthly Budget Billing payments must be made in full by the due date to avoid assessment of a late payment charge and removal from the Budget Billing plan, regardless of whether your account is carrying a debit or credit balance. Removal from the Budget Billing plan will result in the actual charges becoming due.
Payment Arrangements
SCANA Energy offers payment arrangements in accordance with Commission rules. A payment arrangement will be granted unless the customer has failed to honor a previous arrangement, is currently on a payment arrangement for natural gas service, or whose meter is currently off at his/her premise. We offer payment arrangements which allow customers to pay the past due balance in monthly installments.
Deferred Payment Plan
These payment arrangements are a means to assist customers by allowing them to pay billed balances in monthly installments. Customer Relations Specialists review customers’ payment history to determine eligibility for these plans.
Seasonal Deferred Payment Plan
The Seasonal Deferred Payment Plan is a payment arrangement designed to assist customers through a traditionally higher bill period of the year. The plan is available from November 15 until March 15. These payment arrangements are a means to assist customers by allowing them to pay billed balances in monthly installments that are deferred to begin billing until their first available cycle after March 15. Customer Relations Specialists review customers’ payment history to determine eligibility for these plans.
Payment Extension
Payment extensions allow customers to pay the disconnect eligible balance after the forecasted disconnect date but prior to the next billing or extend the due date for the existing billed balance to be due on or before the next bill date. Customer Relations Specialists review customers’ payment history to determine eligibility for these extensions.
Disconnection of Service
To request disconnection of service call 866.245.7742. Disconnection is dependent upon AGL’s service schedule. Therefore, your request date for disconnection and the date of disconnection by AGL may be different. You are responsible for the charges associated with natural gas consumption until the disconnection has been made.
In entering into this agreement, SCANA Energy has relied on your representations related to your identity. If we determine that you have provided incorrect information related to your name, address, or social security number, your service request will be cancelled, or your service disconnected. Prior to any such disconnection, SCANA Energy will provide a fifteen (15) day written notice of the proposed disconnection.
You may be disconnected for the non-payment of a bill as outlined in the Billing and Collection section above.
Rules governing our service to you do not allow disconnection of service during certain periods of time. The details are as follows:
Disconnection During Illness
Residential service will not be discontinued for non-payment of a bill in the event of a serious illness which would be aggravated by having the gas service disconnected, provided you notify SCANA Energy of this condition prior to disconnection.
The notice must be written, or oral with a written notice to follow within ten (10) days. Within ten (10) days of the initial notice, you must provide a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital, or clinic identifying the illness, stating the illness’s expected duration, and certifying that the illness would be aggravated by the disconnection of the service.
The disconnection will be postponed for either the length of the illness or one (1) month from the initial notice, whichever is shorter. The postponement may be renewed for one additional time within twelve (12) months by repeating the notice procedure outlined above.
If there is a dispute regarding the existence of a serious illness, the case may be referred to the Commission for a final determination.
Disconnection Seasonal Restrictions
Residential service will not be discontinued for an unpaid bill between November 15 and March 15 if:
Reconnection of Service
If your service is disconnected for non-payment, you can reconnect your service after a reconnection fee up to $25, in addition to any fees assessed by AGL, a deposit, if applicable, and the total amount you owe, including any charges from previous metering points, is paid in full. Partial payments may be accepted but will not necessarily result in reconnection of service.
Group 2 customers who qualify for Group 1 service may reconnect directly with Group 1 if all debts to SCANA Energy for both Group 1 and Group 2 have been paid.
Regulated Provider customers who qualify for LIHEAP will be reconnected (service re-established within ten (10) days of being disconnected for non-payment) even if the assistance is not sufficient to pay the entire debt.
Contacts
If your questions or concerns are not resolved, you may contact the Georgia Public Service Commission.
SCANA Energy
2231 S Centennial Ave
Aiken, SC 29803-7685
866.245.7742
Georgia Public Service Commission
244 Washington Street
Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.4501 (inside metro Atlanta)
800.282.5813 (outside metro Atlanta)
Fax: 404-656-2341
E-mail: [email protected]
For information regarding energy assistance, you may contact the Georgia Department of Human Services.
Department of Human Services
Community Services Block Grant
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Division of Family and Children Service
Two Peachtree Street NW, 21-276
Atlanta, GA 30303
Public Inquiries: 404.657.3426
Disclosure Statement
The content in SCANA Energy’s Disclosure Statement is incorporated into these Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions are also available online at scanaenergyregulated.com.
Changes to Terms and Conditions
SCANA Energy reserves the right to amend this Agreement to reflect any material revision by it or the Georgia Public Service Commission to the AGL tariff and/or the applicable rules and regulations or due to any other future legislation, orders, rules, regulation and judicial decisions.
Notice
Notice or billing delivered by mail to your last known mailing address, or by way of your preferred method of communication, will constitute adequate notice and billing under this agreement.
Binding Arbitration
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
SCANA ENERGY’S LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE FOR ANY CAUSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, AND NEGLIGENCE, RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THE SALE OF NATURAL GAS TO YOU WILL BE LIMITED TO THE RECOVERY OF THE DIRECT DAMAGES ACTUALLY INCURRED BY YOU; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, IN NO EVENT SHALL SCANA ENERGY’S LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF THE SINGLE LARGEST MONTHLY BILL PAID BY YOU TO SCANA ENERGY DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE ACCRUAL OF YOUR CAUSE OF ACTION. THIS REMEDY IS EXCLUSIVE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SCANA ENERGY BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF LOSS OF USE OR LOSS OF PROFITS. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SELLER MAKES NO OTHER, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY, WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OTHERWISE.
SCANA ENERGY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELIVERY OF GAS TO YOUR PREMISES. SCANA ENERGY IS UNDERTAKING NO OBLIGATIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES OR LIABILITIES UPON AND AFTER DELIVERY OF THE NATURAL GAS TO AGL AT THE DELIVERY POINT. AGL AND ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS OF SCANA ENERGY. AGL AND ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS, AND SCANA ENERGY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF AGL OR ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. SCANA ENERGY EXERCISES NO INDEPENDENT CONTROL OVER AGL’S FACILITIES NECESSARY FOR DELIVERY OF THE NATURAL GAS, AND SCANA ENERGY UNDERTAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR THE OPERATIONS OF AGL OR FOR INTERRUPTIONS, TERMINATION OR DETERIORATION OF ITS DELIVERY OR OTHER SERVICES DUE TO ACTIONS BY AGL OR OTHERS. AGL IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NATURAL GAS WHILE IT IS IN AGL’S SYSTEM BETWEEN THE CITYGATE AND THE POINT OF DELIVERY TO THE RETAIL CUSTOMER AND BEARS SOLE LIABILITY FOR ALL INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED THEREBY.
SCANA ENERGY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR USE OF THE NATURAL GAS. SCANA ENERGY WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURE OR DELAY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER ANY PLAN DUE TO ANY ACT, OMISSION OR CIRCUMSTANCES OCCASIONED BY, OR IN CONSEQUENCE OF, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MATTERS WHETHER AFFECTING SCANA ENERGY, ITS SUPPLIERS, GATHERERS, TRANSPORTERS, STORERS, OR DISTRIBUTORS: ACTS OF GOD, STRIKES, LOCKOUTS, OR OTHER INDUSTRIAL DISTURBANCES, ACTS OF THE PUBLIC ENEMY, WAR, BLOCKADES, INSURRECTIONS, RIOTS, EPIDEMICS, LANDSLIDES, LIGHTNING, EARTHQUAKES, FIRES, STORMS, FLOODS, WASHOUTS, ARRESTS, RESTRAINTS OF GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, CIVIL DISTURBANCES, EXPLOSIONS, BREAKAGE OR ACCIDENT TO MACHINERY OR LINES OF PIPE, EXHAUSTION OR DEPLETION OF SCANA ENERGY’S STOCKS OF PEAK SHAVING FUEL OR STORAGE, FREEZING OF WELLS OR LINES OF PIPE, PARTIAL OR COMPLETE CURTAILMENT OF DELIVERIES OF AS A RESULT OF FORCE MAJEURE AS DEFINED BY SCANA ENERGY’S AGREEMENTS WITH ITS GAS SUPPLIERS, GATHERERS, TRANSPORTERS, STORERS, OR DISTRIBUTORS, INABILITY TO OBTAIN RIGHTS-OF-WAY OR PERMITS OR MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES, AND ANY OTHER CAUSES WHETHER OF THE KIND HEREIN ENUMERATED OR OTHERWISE, NOT WITHIN THE REASONABLE CONTROL OF SCANA ENERGY.
Privacy Policy
During the operation of its business, SCANA Energy collects and uses information from its customers, including gas usage and other relevant information. SCANA Energy also obtains and uses information about customers from third parties including, but not limited to, credit reporting agencies in order to improve its business operation. SCANA Energy may disclose such information to its affiliates or contractors operating on its behalf to (1) develop or offer new or enhanced products and services or (2) administer and/or collect on customer accounts. SCANA Energy may disclose such information to third parties in connection with proposed business transactions, to credit agencies, or to duly authorized agencies investigating potential hazardous or illegal activity.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia including the laws applying to the goods and the applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by the State of Georgia.
For purposes of these Terms and Conditions, the term “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in O.C.GA. § 46-4-152(2).
Click here for a PDF of these Terms and Conditions.