State and Local Responses to Natural Gas Price Increases
RCED-83-142: Published: Apr 25, 1983. Publicly Released: May 10, 1983.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the ways by which natural gas distribution companies and State public utility commissions are responding to increased natural gas prices.
GAO obtained information on what actions were being taken in the following areas: (1) rates charged by pipelines to distribution companies; (2) recovery of purchased gas costs by distributors; (3) rates charged by distributors to customers; and (4) efforts by distributors to maintain or expand their markets. GAO found that the transmission and sale of natural gas by interstate pipelines is subject to Federal regulation, but distribution is subject primarily to State or local regulations, usually by State public utility commissions. Distributors buy their gas at rates approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. State officials cannot adjust the federally approved prices because distributors are obligated to take a specified amount of gas at a given price. A distribution company is usually allowed to recover its cost of purchased gas by submitting a purchased gas adjustment filing to the State public utility commission. Typically the adjustment is based on the previous year's gas purchases at current rates. Distributors generally group their customers into three classes: residential, commercial, and industrial. Rates set within a class are typically based on gas use. However, State law may specify a special rate structure. Finally, distribution companies are making efforts to control their sales but many factors such as conservation, slow economic activity, warm weather, and increasing natural gas prices affect consumption. Therefore, distributors try to even out their demand by seeking new uses and new markets for natural gas.
Dec 10, 2020
-
Uranium Management:
Actions to Mitigate Risks to Domestic Supply Chain Could Be Better Planned and CoordinatedGAO-21-28: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
-
Offshore Wind Energy:
Planned Projects May Lead to Construction of New Vessels in the U.S., but Industry Has Made Few Decisions amid UncertaintiesGAO-21-153: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
-
Nuclear Waste Disposal:
Better Planning Needed to Avoid Potential Disruptions at Waste Isolation Pilot PlantGAO-21-48: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
-
Nuclear Safety:
DOE and the Safety Board Should Collaborate to Develop a Written Agreement to Enhance OversightGAO-21-141: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Oct 15, 2020
-
Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Plans to Modernize Critical Depleted Uranium Capabilities and Improve Program ManagementGAO-21-16: Published: Oct 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 15, 2020.
Jul 24, 2020
-
Nuclear Weapons:
Action Needed to Address the W80-4 Warhead Program's Schedule ConstraintsGAO-20-409: Published: Jul 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2020.
Jun 24, 2020
-
National Nuclear Security Administration:
Analyzing Cost Savings Program Could Result in Wider Use and Additional Contractor EfficienciesGAO-20-451: Published: Jun 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2020.
Jun 9, 2020
-
Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Needs to Incorporate Additional Management Controls Over Its Microelectronics ActivitiesGAO-20-357: Published: Jun 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 9, 2020.
May 13, 2020
-
Environmental Liabilities:
DOE Needs to Better Plan for Post-Cleanup Challenges Facing SitesGAO-20-373: Published: May 13, 2020. Publicly Released: May 13, 2020.
May 12, 2020
-
Hanford Waste Treatment Plant:
DOE Is Pursuing Pretreatment Alternatives, but Its Strategy Is Unclear While Costs Continue to RiseGAO-20-363: Published: May 12, 2020. Publicly Released: May 12, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here