§ 3206. — Gas utility rate design proposals.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC3206]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 59--RETAIL POLICIES FOR NATURAL GAS UTILITIES
Sec. 3206. Gas utility rate design proposals
(a) Study
(1) The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission and, after
affording an opportunity for consultation and comment by representatives
of the State regulatory commissions, gas utilities, and gas consumers,
shall study and report to Congress on gas utility rate design within 18
months after November 9, 1978. Such study shall address the effect (both
separately and in combination) of the following factors upon the items
listed in paragraph (2): incremental pricing; marginal cost pricing; end
user gas consumption taxes; wellhead natural gas pricing policies;
demand-commodity rate design; declining block rates; interruptible
service; seasonal rate differentials; and end user rate schedules.
(2) The items referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:
(A) natural gas pipeline and local distribution company load
factors;
(B) rates to each class of user, including residential,
commercial, and industrial users;
(C) the change in total costs resulting from gas utility designs
(including capital and operating costs) to gas consumers or classes
thereof;
(D) demand for, and consumption of, natural gas;
(E) end use profiles of natural gas pipelines and local
distribution companies; and
(F) competition with alternative fuels.
(b) Proposals
Based upon the study prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section, the Secretary shall develop proposals to improve gas utility
rate design and to encourage conservation of natural gas. Such proposals
shall include any comments and recommendations of the Commission.
(c) Transmission to Congress
The proposals prepared under subsection (b) of this section, shall
be transmitted, together with any legislative recommendations, to each
House of Congress not later than 6 months after the date of submission
of the study under subsection (a) of this section. Such proposals shall
be accompanied by an analyses \1\ of--
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\1\ So in original. Probably should be ``analysis''.
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(1) the projected savings (if any) in consumption of natural
gas, and other energy resources,
(2) changes (if any) in the cost of natural gas to consumers,
which are likely to result from the implementation nationally of
each of such proposals, and
(3) the effects of the proposals on other provisions of this Act
on gas utility rate structures.
(d) Public participation
The Secretary shall provide for public participation in the conduct
of the study under subsection (a) of this section, and the preparation
of proposals under subsection (b) of this section.
(Pub. L. 95-617, title III, Sec. 306, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3152.)
References in Text
This Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is Pub. L. 95-617, Nov. 9,
1978, 92 Stat. 3117, known as the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act
of 1978. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 2601 of Title 16, Conservation, and
Tables.
Definitions
The definitions of Secretary and Commission in section 2602 of Title
16, Conservation, apply to this section.
