AGL & Southern Co. Merge Creating Second Biggest Utility Group In The Nation

CHATTANOOGA,TN, (WDEF)-9 million customers will now belong to Southern Company who has bought AGL in Atlanta.

The deal could bring gas to more Dalton homes.

John Somerhalder, AGL CEO,"Brings gas down into Georgia and up a lateral to the north part of Atlanta where our gas demand has grown over the past time period, but that pipeline also comes close to two power-plants that Southern has".

Chattanooga Gas along with 10 other smaller utility groups are involved in the merger.

The scenic city company can trace its pipes back to the 1800’s yet Chattanoogans remain divided on the gas debate.

Ron Dyer, East Chattanooga,"My experience with it has been bad, i had to cancel it several years ago, i don’t use gas anymore".

Dyer claims Chattanooga Gas double charged him over and over.

Yet environmentalist Glenn Bodnar of U.S Dome Builders believes gas is the way of the future.

Glenn Bodnar, U.S Dome Builders, "These domes are so efficient, they will use less than half of what you use in a traditional house, very eco-friendly building".

His views are echoed by Southern’s president Thomas Fanning.

Thomas Fanning, Southern Co. CEO,"This year i believe we will produce not 70% from coal but more like 32% from coal  and now 16% from natural gas but 48%".

The merger will also bring 200,000 miles of electric transmission and 80,000 miles of gas pipelines under one organization.

For More Information: http://www.doingenergybetter.com/