FERC Issues Policy Statement on Gas Quality and Interchangeability
Ina policy statement approved at today’s Commission meeting, FERC announced that it will address disputes over gas quality and interchangeability on a case-by-case basis. According to a statement by FERC Staff at the meeting, the Commission’s future handling of gas quality and interchangeability issues will be guided by principles established through collaborative efforts involving the Commission, representatives from all sectors of the industry, and end users,and will be based on the interim guidelines adopted by the Natural Gas Council working groups in the NGC+ White Paper. Chairman Kelliher remarked that the policy statement reflects two goals: “First, we must meet the needs of consumers by accommodating the greatest economic mix of gas supply with minimum barriers to new supply sources. Second, we must assure the safe and reliable operation of interstate natural gas pipelines.”