FERC-538_Statute

FERC-538 (1902-0061)

The statutory language related to FERC-538 follows.

Natural Gas Act

Section 7(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. '717f (a)) provides:

(a) Extension or improvement of facilities on order of court; notice and hearing

Whenever the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, finds such action necessary or desirable in the public interest, it may by order direct a natural–gas company to extend or improve its transportation facilities to establish physical connection of its transportation facilities, to establish physical connection of its transportation facilities with the facilities of, and sell natural gas to, any connection of its transportation facilities with the facilities of, and sell natural gas to, any person or municipality engaged or legally authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural or artificial gas to the public, and for such purpose to extend its transportation facilities to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territory served by such natural-gas company, if the Commission finds that no undue burden will be placed upon such natural gas company thereby: Provided, That the Commission shall have no authority to compel the enlargement of transportation facilities for such purposes, or to compel such natural-gas company to establish physical connection to sell natural gas when to do so would impair its ability to render adequate service to its customers.

Section 10(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. §717(i) provides:

§ 717i. periodic and special reports

(a) Form and contents of reports

Every natural-gas company shall file with the Commission such annual and other periodic or special reports as the Commission may by rules and regulations or order prescribed as necessary or appropriate to assist the Commission in the proper administration of this chapter. The Commission may prescribe the manner and form in which such reports shall be made, and require from such natural-gas companies specific answers to all questions upon which the Commission may need information. The Commission may require that such reports shall include, among other things, full information as to assets and liabilities, capitalization, investment and reduction thereof, gross receipts, interest due and paid, depreciation, amortization and other reserves, cost of facilities, cost of maintenance and operation of facilities for the production, transportation , or sale of natural gas, cost of renewal and replacement of such facilities, transportation, delivery, use, and sale of natural gas. The Commission may require any such-natural gas company to make appropriate provision for currently determining such costs and other facts. Such reports shall be made under oath unless the Commission otherwise specifies.

Section 16 of the Act (15 U.S.C. §717o) provides:

§717o. Administrative powers of the Commission; rules, regulations, and orders

The Commission shall have power to perform any and all acts, and to prescribe, issue, make amend, and rescind such orders, rules, and regulations as it may find necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Among other things, such rules and regulations may define accounting, technical, and trade terms used in this chapter; and may prescribe the form or forms of all statements, declarations, applications, and reports to be filed with the Commission, the information which they shall contain, and the time within which they shall be filed. Unless a different date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the Commission shall be effective thirty days after publication in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. Orders of the Commission shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. For the purposes of its rules and regulations, the Commission may classify persons and matters within its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons or matters. All rules and regulations of the Commission shall be filed with its secretary and shall be kept open in convenient form for public inspection and examination during reasonable business hours.