MONROE, Ga. - According to a just-released report by J.D. Power and Associates, Walton EMC Natural Gas again ranks highest in customer satisfaction among retail natural gas providers in Georgia.

The study examines four key factors: price, billing and payment, communications and customer service. Besides the highest overall score of 742, Walton also scored highest in each of the four study areas. The industry average is 690.

"Contributing to Walton EMC's high ranking are the communications best practices they employ. The customer's ability to remember a Walton EMC communication has increased significantly up to 40 percent -- up from 21 percent in 2011. The effort to communicate to their customers bodes well in building brand loyalty and developing commitment to the brand," according to J.D. Power and Associates.

By scoring 742, Walton is the only Georgia marketer to earn a JDPower.com Power Circle Rating of five, making it "Among the best" according to the Power Circle Ratings Legend.

The 2012 study is based on responses from more than 3,550 customers of natural gas retailers in Georgia and was fielded quarterly between July 2011 and April 2012.

"We pledged after last year's study to work and reach an even higher level of customer satisfaction," said CEO Ronnie Lee. "Our employees rose to the challenge and did just that. Our goal is to keep improving every year."

"We appreciate our loyal customers," said Natural Gas Director Allen Powers. "They are the reason we strive to be a friendly, caring partner in supplying their natural gas needs."

Since 1968, J.D. Power has been conducting quality and customer satisfaction research based on survey responses from millions of consumers worldwide. With high consumer brand recognition and confidence, the company is ranked as one of the top global and US research companies.

Walton EMC Natural Gas is a subsidiary of Walton Electric Membership Corporation and is empowered by the Georgia Legislature and Georgia Public Service Commission to bring true competition and meet consumers' natural gas needs throughout the state.

For more information, see the J.D. Power and Associates news release.