Impact of the National Energy Act on gas rate making

Journal Article · Thu Oct 25 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5768455

Ferguson, J S

Pessimism abounds about the impact of the National Energy Act on utilities, their customers, and the economy. The impact of wellhead and incremental pricing, direct sales, and rate design standards on gas distribution utilities is discussed. The aspects of four of the five parts of the Act are discussed - The Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978; National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978; Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978; and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. The Energy Tax Act is not discussed. The NEA results in a strong Federal presence in retail rate making - in the past the domain of state regulators. The NEA also results in an increased Federal presence in utility management. The author believes that a rational national energy policy would encourage the operation of the market system, not stifle it. The NEA could have a positive impact on gas rate making if it is used to improve price structures by making them more reflective of cost structures and responsive to altered customer usage characteristics, but the politics of the situation probably eliminates this possibility. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 5768455
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 104:9; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030600* -- Natural Gas-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS UTILITIES
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INCOME
LAWS
MARKET
NATIONAL ENERGY ACT
NATURAL GAS
PRICES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RATE STRUCTURE