15 U.S.C. § 3202: Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter. "Gas consumer" is a person or a State or Federal agency that buys natural gas to use, not to resell. "Gas utility" is a person or State or Federal agency that delivers gas locally and sells it to end users. "State regulated gas utility" is a gas utility whose rates a State agency can set. "Nonregulated gas utility" is any gas utility not under that State rate-setting power. "Rate" means any price or charge for gas, the rules or practices about those prices, and any contract for selling gas. "Ratemaking authority" is the power to set, change, approve, or reject rates. "Sale" also covers exchanges of gas. "State regulatory authority" is a State agency that sets rates for gas utilities (not when that agency itself sells gas). "Integrated resource planning" is planning that compares demand-reduction options with gas supply to find the lowest life-cycle cost while keeping service reliable and considering diversity, reliability, dispatchability, and risk. "Demand-side management" means saving energy, improving efficiency, and managing when energy is used.

Title 15, §3202

Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For purposes of this chapter—

(1)The term “gas consumer” means any person, State agency, or Federal agency, to which natural gas is sold other than for purposes of resale.

(2)The term “gas utility” means any person, State agency, or Federal agency, engaged in the local distribution of natural gas, and the sale of natural gas to any ultimate consumer of natural gas.

(3)The term “State regulated gas utility” means any gas utility with respect to which a State regulatory authority has ratemaking authority.

(4)The term “nonregulated gas utility” means any gas utility other than a State regulated gas utility.

(5)The term “rate” means any (A) price, rate, charge, or classification made, demanded, observed, or received with respect to sale of natural gas to a gas consumer, (B) any rule, regulation, or practice respecting any such rate, charge, or classification, and (C) any contract pertaining to the sale of natural gas to a gas consumer.

(6)The term “ratemaking authority” means authority to fix, modify, approve, or disapprove rates.

(7)The term “sale” when used with respect to natural gas, includes an exchange of natural gas.

(8)The term “State regulatory authority” means any State agency which has ratemaking authority with respect to the sale of natural gas by any gas utility (other than by such State agency).

(9)The term “integrated resource planning” means, in the case of a gas utility, planning by the use of any standard, regulation, practice, or policy to undertake a systematic comparison between demand-side management measures and the supply of gas by a gas utility to minimize life-cycle costs of adequate and reliable utility services to gas consumers. Integrated resource planning shall take into account necessary features for system operation such as diversity, reliability, dispatchability, and other factors of risk and shall treat demand and supply to gas consumers on a consistent and integrated basis.

(10)The term “demand-side management” includes energy conservation, energy efficiency, and load management techniques.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1992—Pars. (9), (10). Pub. L. 102–486 added pars. (9) and (10).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Additional Definitions Except as otherwise specifically provided, the definitions in section 2602 of Title 16, Conservation, apply to this chapter.

§3202 Definitions

Summary

Title 15, §3202

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Citations & Metadata