§ 717p. — Joint boards.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC717p]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 15B--NATURAL GAS
Sec. 717p. Joint boards
(a) Reference of matters to joint boards; composition and power
The Commission may refer any matter arising in the administration of
this chapter to a board to be composed of a member or members, as
determined by the Commission, from the State or each of the States
affected or to be affected by such matter. Any such board shall be
vested with the same power and be subject to the same duties and
liabilities as in the case of a member of the Commission when designated
by the Commission to hold any hearings. The action of such board shall
have such force and effect and its proceedings shall be conducted in
such manner as the Commission shall by regulations prescribe. The Board
shall be appointed by the Commission from persons nominated by the State
commission of each State affected, or by the Governor of such State if
there is no State commission. Each State affected shall be entitled to
the same number of representatives on the board unless the nominating
power of such State waives such right. The Commission shall have
discretion to reject the nominee from any State, but shall thereupon
invite a new nomination from that State. The members of a board shall
receive such allowances for expenses as the Commission shall provide.
The Commission may, when in its discretion sufficient reason exists
therefor, revoke any reference to such a board.
(b) Conference with State commissions regarding rate structure, costs,
etc.
The Commission may confer with any State commission regarding rate
structures, costs, accounts, charges, practices, classifications, and
regulations of natural-gas companies; and the Commission is authorized,
under such rules and regulations as it shall prescribe, to hold joint
hearings with any State commission in connection with any matter with
respect to which the Commission is authorized to act. The Commission is
authorized in the administration of this chapter to avail itself of such
cooperation, services, records, and facilities as may be afforded by any
State commission.
(c) Information and reports available to State commissions
The Commission shall make available to the several State commissions
such information and reports as may be of assistance in State regulation
of natural-gas companies. Whenever the Commission can do so without
prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of its affairs, it may,
upon request from a State commission, make available to such State
commission as witnesses any of its trained rate, valuation, or other
experts, subject to reimbursement of the compensation and traveling
expenses of such witnesses. All sums collected hereunder shall be
credited to the appropriation from which the amounts were expended in
carrying out the provisions of this subsection.
(June 21, 1938, ch. 556, Sec. 17, 52 Stat. 830.)
Transfer of Functions
Federal Power Commission terminated and functions, personnel,
property, funds, etc., transferred to Secretary of Energy (except for
certain functions transferred to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)
by sections 7151(b), 7171(a), 7172(a), 7291, and 7293 of Title 42, The
Public Health and Welfare.
For transfer of functions of Federal Power Commission, with certain
reservations, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 9 of
1950, Secs. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set
out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in title 42 section 7172.
