House Public Utilities Committee drawing more focus

Brandon Johnson
Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2006 10:50 PM CST

Jan 29, 2006 The Daily Tribune News, Georgia - Local News

Because of the impact higher energy costs are having on everyone, state Rep. Jeff Lewis is expecting more attention to be paid to the work his committee does this year.

Lewis (R-Cartersville) is in his second year as chairman of the House Public Utilities Committee, where most energy issues are drafted and recommended in the Legislature.

"That's the pain everyone is feeling in these cold months," Lewis said about rising natural gas prices.

But there is little the legislature can do in the short term to address future energy needs, Lewis said. Many of the issues his committee studies take years of research before legislation is even introduced.

"If we want to address energy concerns [in the future], we have to start today," Lewis said. "There are no quick answers to any of this stuff."

Lewis hopes two bills will be approved by the legislature this year -- allowing a gas company to build a liquid natural gas line from Elba Island to the Atlanta area, and exempting state sales taxes on bio-mass products.

Liquid natural gas can turn 600 gallons of natural gas vapor into one gallon of liquid gas, making it easier to transport.

"The hope in all this is to increase the gas supply in Georgia," Lewis said. "It should [reduce prices in some parts of the state]."

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