- (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
(FOOTNOTE 1) of -
(FOOTNOTE 1) So in original. Probably should be "analysis".
- (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.