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Natural gas price regulation - its problems and prospects

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6322072
The Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA), frequently is accorded the dubious distinction of being the most complex, ambiguous, and internally inconsistent piece of legislation ever passed by Congress. This work takes a brief look at the history of natural gas pricing policy, analyzes the ways in which the NGPA fits into this historical perspective, discusses the achievements and shortcomings of that statute, and speculates about the future of natural gas regulation. Few would disagree that from a standpoint of economic efficiency and public policy decontrol of at least new natural gas is warranted. The simple fact is that if the price level for natural gas is kept artificially low, there will be less natural gas produced than the demand for it. Despite what is coming to be an increasing perception that deregulation would be generally beneficial, the NGPA fell far short of the ultimate goal of deregulation.
OSTI ID:
6322072
Report Number(s):
CONF-810207-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-9555
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English