GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	2 

HOUSE BILL 784
Committee Substitute Favorable 5/13/93

Short Title:  Natural Gas Study.	(Public)
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Sponsors:
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Referred to:  
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April 7, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE UTILITIES COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ALLOCATION OF UNSERVED AREAS FOR THE PROVISION OF NATURAL GAS SERVICE AND TO STUDY ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF RATE MAKING FOR NATURAL GAS.
Whereas, the North Carolina Utilities Commission has allocated franchise territories for natural gas service to four local distribution companies; and
Whereas, North Carolina is sorely lacking in natural gas service in many areas of the State; and
Whereas, the lack of natural gas service is contributing to a lack of economic development in North Carolina and a lack of general well-being for many of the citizens of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly has, since 1987, focused its efforts on ways to expand the provision of natural gas service in North Carolina; Now, therefore, 
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission is directed to study the allocation of unserved areas for the provision of natural gas service in North Carolina and determine whether an assignment to the existing local distribution companies of unserved areas would result in more efficient and extensive natural gas service to the people of the State and whether savings may be realized which would result in the availability of additional funds for expansion of natural gas service into areas which are presently unserved.
Sec. 2.  If the study directed in Section 1 of this act results in a conclusion that the provision of natural gas service to unserved areas in North Carolina could be more efficiently and economically rendered under a different service area configuration, the North Carolina Utilities Commission shall devise a plan for the assignment of the unserved areas.
Sec. 3.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission is also directed to study alternative means of rate making for natural gas companies to determine whether alternative rate-making procedures would facilitate the provision of natural gas service throughout the State.
Sec. 4.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission shall report its findings, plans, and recommendations pursuant to Sections 1, 2, and 3 for the assignment of unserved natural gas areas and for alternative rate making to the Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee not later than July 1, 1995.
Sec. 5.  This act is effective upon ratification.