Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§717h Rates of depreciation

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 15B— - NATURAL GAS › § 717h

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission can require natural-gas companies to keep proper depreciation and amortization records and can set the correct rates for different types of company property used to produce, move, or sell natural gas. Companies must use the rates the Commission fixes. They cannot use other rates, or charge depreciation or amortization for property categories the Commission does not allow, or count the same expense more than once. A State commission still may set percentage or composite depreciation rates for use when it decides rates or charges under its own authority. Before the Commission makes rules about accounts or sets depreciation rates, it must tell each State commission that has authority over a company, give them a reasonable chance to speak, and consider their views and recommendations.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §717h

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Commission may, after hearing, require natural-gas companies to carry proper and adequate depreciation and amortization accounts in accordance with such rules, regulations, and forms of account as the Commission may prescribe. The Commission may from time to time ascertain and determine, and by order fix, the proper and adequate rates of depreciation and amortization of the several classes of property of each natural-gas company used or useful in the production, transportation, or sale of natural gas. Each natural-gas company shall conform its depreciation and amortization accounts to the rates so ascertained, determined, and fixed. No natural-gas company subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall charge to operating expenses any depreciation or amortization charges on classes of property other than those prescribed by the Commission, or charge with respect to any class of property a percentage of depreciation or amortization other than that prescribed therefor by the Commission. No such natural-gas company shall in any case include in any form under its operating or other expenses any depreciation, amortization, or other charge or expenditure included elsewhere as a depreciation or amortization charge or otherwise under its operating or other expenses. Nothing in this section shall limit the power of a State commission to determine in the exercise of its jurisdiction, with respect to any natural-gas company, the percentage rates of depreciation or amortization to be allowed, as to any class of property of such natural-gas company, or the composite depreciation or amortization rate, for the purpose of determining rates or charges.

(b)The Commission, before prescribing any rules or requirements as to accounts, records, or memoranda, or as to depreciation or amortization rates, shall notify each State commission having jurisdiction with respect to any natural-gas company involved and shall give reasonable opportunity to each such commission to present its views and shall receive and consider such views and recommendations.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 717h

Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73