Perry City says Georgia PSC reduced inspection penalties to $3,500 after fixes

Perry City staff told the council Nov. 18 that the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a consent order reducing previously assessed penalties from $35,000 to $3,500 after the city corrected documentation and survey deficiencies.

At the pre-council meeting, Mr. Worthington said the PSC inspection in 2022 identified several procedural shortcomings — clerical errors, incomplete leak surveys and calibration documentation — that led to seven penalties of $5,000 each. "The PSC has finally, um, provided the city this consent order to reduce their $35,000 down to 3,500 total," he said. He also told the council the city added a natural gas compliance officer to ensure future compliance.

The staff presentation framed the change as the outcome of corrective steps and additional staffing. "We've met with them. We've put in place, um, remedies, even added a position with ESG, the natural gas compliance officer that's responsible for reviewing all of this stuff and making sure we're in compliance," Mr. Worthington said.

The council did not take a formal vote at the pre-council meeting on the consent order; the item was presented as part of the regular meeting review. Staff said the consent order resolves the inspection report with the reduced fee. The council discussion did not include further detail about the timelines of the original violations, whether the reduced amount has been paid, or whether the PSC will require follow-up reporting.

The city listed the consent agreement for council awareness during the Nov. 18 regular-meeting agenda review; staff said the reduction will aid the city's audit and compliance records moving forward.

The regular meeting agenda will include the full staff report and any required formal action.