The state House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would put the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) in the gas business.

House Bill 51, which cleared the House 120-55, would allow municipal natural gas providers to borrow money from GEFA to expand gas supplies.

The legislation is needed particularly in rural Georgia, Rep. Leesa Hagan, R-Lyons, said on the House floor before Thursday’s vote. Hagan’s district includes all or parts of six rural counties.

“Reliable energy infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth, public safety, and quality of life in our rural communities,” Hagan said. “This bill ensures that GEFA has the necessary authority to support these critical projects.”

But freshman Rep. Gabriel Sanchez, D-Smyrna, said the bill provides a “broad solution to a specific problem.” He suggested the goal of expanding natural gas supplies in Georgia would be better left to city utility systems and private-sector utilities.

Currently, GEFA focuses on financing water and sewer projects across the state.

“Adding on another whole industry could cause hardships,” Sanchez said.

Hagan said GEFA would stick to financing gas projects under House Bill 51 and would not regulate gas systems.

The bill now moves to the Georgia Senate.

Capitol Beat is a nonprofit news service operated by the Georgia Press Educational Foundation that provides coverage of state government to newspapers throughout Georgia. For more information visit capitol-beat.org.