§3392 Natural Gas for Essential Industrial Process and Feedstock Uses

Summary

The Energy Secretary must write a rule that, whenever possible, stops interstate pipelines from cutting natural gas used for essential industrial processes or as feedstock. Pipelines may only cut those deliveries if the cut does not lower supply below the amount the Secretary sets, or if it is needed to supply higher-priority users, or if it is needed to meet essential agricultural uses that have priority under section 3391. This rule overrides other laws except for the limit below. The protection applies only if the Commission decides that using a non‑natural gas fuel is not economically practical and no other fuel is reasonably available. The Energy Secretary must tell the Commission the gas needs (in volumes or percentages) of people or groups for these uses, excluding those listed in section 3391(f)(1)(B). "Essential industrial process or feedstock use" means any industrial or feedstock use the Secretary calls essential. "High-priority user" means the same as in section 3391(f)(2).