The commission regulates natural gas pipeline transportation and sales to local distribution systems, and pipelines cannot shut off supply without 90 days’ written notice and a public hearing.
§302. Powers of the commission; scope A. The commission shall supervise, govern, regulate and control the transportation or sale of natural gas moving by pipeline to local distributing systems for resale for the purpose of fixing and regulating the rates charged and the service furnished by such public utilities in connection with such transportation or sale. B. The power, authority and duties of the commission shall affect and include all matters and things directly connected with, concerning and growing out of the service given or rendered by such pipelines transporting or selling natural gas to local distributing systems for resale with respect to any such transportation or sales. C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the supply of natural gas by pipelines to a local distribution system shall not be disconnected or shut off unless the local distribution system is given at least ninety days written notice of such disconnect or shut off and at least one public hearing is held by the Louisiana Public Service Commission prior to such disconnect or shutoff; however, this ninety day notice may be extended by an order of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The Louisiana Public Service Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations in order to implement the provisions of this Section. Such rules and regulations shall consider whether or not the local distribution system has agreed to shut off the pipeline for a specific period of time; the length of time required to obtain public financing; time constraints necessary to construct necessary facilities; time constraints and requirements of the State Bond Commission; time constraints and requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; whether or not the local distribution system is captive to one pipeline; whether the local distribution system has access to other pipelines; operational issues regarding the local distribution system; and the local distribution system's pressure requirements. Acts 2007, No. 272, §1, eff. July 6, 2007.