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PRINTER'S NO. 1182
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
953
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, SCAVELLO, WHITE, BREWSTER AND AUMENT,
JULY 16, 2015
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JULY 16, 2015
AN ACT
Expanding the natural gas infrastructure throughout this
Commonwealth through competitive sealed bidding; and
providing for powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Public
Utility Commission.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Natural Gas
Infrastructure Expansion and Access Act.
Section 2. Findings.
The General Assembly finds that:
(1) This Commonwealth is fortunate to have one of the
most abundant and diverse mineral resource fields in the
world, including the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves.
(2) Marcellus Shale offers tremendous economic and
energy independence opportunities for this Commonwealth.
(3) The responsible development of natural gas resources
will position this Commonwealth in the global marketplace as
a world leader in energy supply and reduce our dependence on
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foreign oil.
(4) Expanding access to natural gas throughout this
Commonwealth will enable more residents and businesses to
benefit from this abundant, clean, low-cost domestic energy
source.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
"Competitive sealed bidding." The process specified in 62
Pa.C.S. § 512 (relating to competitive sealed bidding).
"Distribution system." A system owned and operated by a
natural gas distribution utility.
"Expansion project." Modification to an existing pipeline,
main extension or service line to one or more residential,
commercial or industrial entities not receiving natural gas
service within an existing certificated service area.
"Extension project." New construction of a service line,
main extension or pipeline to provide natural gas service to one
or more residential, commercial or industrial entities not
receiving natural gas service and for which a certificate of
public convenience is required under 66 Pa.C.S. § 1102 (relating
to enumeration of acts requiring certificate) that is not within
the current certificate of public convenience territory issued
by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to the natural gas
distribution utility.
"Natural gas distribution utility." As defined in 66 Pa.C.S.
§ 1403 (relating to definitions).
Section 4. Identification and designation of corridors.
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(a) Identify and designate.--Within six months after the
effective date of this section, the commission shall identify
and designate corridors throughout this Commonwealth for
construction of natural gas infrastructure extension and
expansion projects to unserved or underserved areas.
(b) Publish corridors for bidding.--The commission shall
publish as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin a listing of
corridors and specifications by which a person, company or
natural gas distribution utility may make a competitive sealed
bid for one or more of the corridors. The commission shall
follow any requirements under 62 Pa.C.S. § 512 (relating to
competitive sealed bidding).
Section 5. Construction of natural gas infrastructure.
(a) Construction.--The person, company or natural gas
distribution utility awarded the bid must construct in the
corridor a natural gas infrastructure extension or expansion
project.
(b) Exclusive rights.–-The person, company or natural gas
distribution utility awarded the bid shall have the exclusive
right in the corridor as it relates to the natural gas pipeline
and any potential customers that may be served by the pipeline.
(c) Existing gas lines.--The person, company or natural
gas distribution utility awarded the bid shall have the ability
to tap into an existing natural gas pipeline for a fee to be
regulated and determined by the commission.
Section 6. Commission.
(a) Powers, duties and regulations.–-The commission shall
promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act.
The regulations shall cover any fees or prices as it relates to
the natural gas infrastructure project, including, but not
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limited to, customer connection fees and the laying of pipes.
(b) Reporting.--The commission shall require a filing of
information by the person, company or natural gas distribution
utility awarded the bid to ensure full compliance with this act.
Section 7. Deposit of revenue.
Any revenue raised from the bidding of corridors shall be
deposited into the General Fund.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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