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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 525
BY SENATORS ADLEY, THOMPSON AND WARD
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 45:302.1, relative to the Louisiana Public Service Commission; to provide2
with respect to abandonment of interstate pipelines located wholly within the state;3
and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R. S. 45:302.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 6
ยง302.1. Powers of the commission; abandonment of certain pipelines7
A. As used in this Section, "interstate natural gas pipeline" means an8
interstate natural gas pipeline where any portion of such pipeline is9
geographically located within the state of Louisiana, and when such pipeline10
portion provides service within the state to one or more local distribution11
systems that in turn provide service to their customers.12
B. On and after March 10, 2014, if the Federal Energy Regulatory13
Commission approves a proposal to abandon an interstate natural gas pipeline,14
then such pipeline portion within the state shall be considered an intrastate15
natural gas pipeline and a public utility as of the date of such approval. As an16
intrastate natural gas pipeline, the pipeline shall be subject to the jurisdiction17
of the Louisiana Public Service Commission.18
C. An applicant filing a proposal with the Federal Energy Regulatory19
Commission seeking abandonment of an interstate natural gas pipeline that is20
subject to the provisions of this Section shall provide written notice and a copy21
of the application to the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Upon the22
approval and issuance of an abandonment order by the Federal Energy23
Regulatory Commission, the applicant shall provide written notice and a copy24
of such order to the Louisiana Public Service Commission.25
D. Thereafter, any abandonment proceeding for such pipeline portion26
in Louisiana shall be governed pursuant to applicable rules, regulations, and27
orders of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. No such abandonment28
ACT No. 310 SB NO. 525 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
shall be deemed effective until the applicant has complied with the Louisiana1
Public Service Commission's rules, regulations, and orders, and all other2
applicable state and federal agency regulations.3
E. The provisions of this Section shall be in addition to the requirements4
of R.S. 30:555.5
F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply if the owner or operator6
of the interstate pipeline seeking abandonment has done all of the following:7
(1) Reached a written agreement with the existing customers that8
provides for the continued availability and supply of natural gas from the9
interstate pipeline or for the supply and delivery of natural gas from alternative10
sources.11
(2) Filed the agreement referenced in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection12
as an uncontested settlement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission13
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a final order14
approving such uncontested settlement without change and such settlement is15
no longer subject to appeal.16
(3) Provided a copy of the uncontested settlement agreement and the17
final order of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, both referenced in18
Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, to the Louisiana Public Service Commission.19
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not20
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature21
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If22
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become23
effective on the day following such approval.24
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: