Wyden and Murkowski seek answers on natural gas pipeline rate cases

March 6, 2013

Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting information about rate proceedings the commission has initiated under section 5 of the Natural Gas Act since 2009.

The request is part of the Chairman and Ranking Member’s shared commitment to protecting consumers; ensuring adequate, safe and reliable infrastructure; and providing strong oversight of energy markets and regulatory agencies.

“Consumers deserve to know how much they’ve been overcharged, and whether current regulations and regulators are doing the job,” Wyden said.

The letter asks FERC to provide information about proceedings under section 5 of the Natural Gas Act, which concern “allegations that pipeline companies collected fees from pipeline customers for transportation, storage and fuel that were unjust and unreasonable.”

“I think it’s important to establish how the process FERC has in place to maintain just and reasonable rates is working,” Murkowski said. “This information will help establish our understanding of the facts.”

The letter is below.