Atlanta Gas Light, a subsidiary of AGL Resources, announces approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission of its first contract under the Georgia Sustainable Environmental or Economic Development program.

The contract is an agreement between Atlanta Gas Light and the City of Atlanta to replace outdated equipment at the Atlanta Civic Center. These improvements will result in significant cost savings on utility bills for the city while reducing the center's greenhouse gas emissions.

Although Atlanta Gas Light has long participated in state and local economic development projects, Georgia SEED is a new approach that allows the utility to expand its ability to meet customer needs while collaborating with the Georgia PSC to promote jobs and smart sustainable investments. Georgia SEED allows Atlanta Gas Light to contract with existing business customers or new customers that may be considering expanding into Georgia.

"We are excited to help the City of Atlanta meet the goals of its sustainability program by reducing the Civic Center's energy consumption," says Suzanne Sitherwood, president, Atlanta Gas Light. "We are committed to improving the business climate of the city and state while helping our customers meet their environmental goals."

Once high-efficiency natural gas equipment upgrades and improvements have been completed, the Civic Center is expected to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by an estimated 1,544 metric tons based on data provided by the City of Atlanta. The city should also realize a cost-savings of approximately $3.7 million over the term of the fifteen-year contract.

"This project will allow the Civic Center to replace obsolete HVAC and lighting systems with state-of-the-art equipment that will improve energy efficiency, reliability, and customer comfort. Project financing charges will be paid for entirely through avoided energy, water and maintenance costs," says Atlanta Civic Center Director Ann Marie Moraitakis.

"Reducing the Civic Center's energy consumption by 25 percent and its carbon footprint by 44 percent exceeds Mayor Reed's 2020 energy and climate goals for City facilities," says Interim Director of Sustainability Bill Hosken. "This project demonstrates the city's commitment to environmental sustainability."