O.C.G.A. § 46-4-52: Declaration of public purpose.

The underground storage of gas, which permits the building of reserves for orderly withdrawal in periods of peak demand, will promote the economic development of the State of Georgia and provide for more economical distribution of gas to the domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers of this state, thereby serving the public interest. Therefore, the underground storage of gas by a gas utility is recognized and declared to be affected with a public interest; and all of the property used in such underground storage is recognized and declared to be devoted to public use.