RCA Requests Comments on Scope of
Regulations Addressing Pricing Provisions in Natural Gas Supply Contracts
This letter requests comments on the proper scope of a possible regulations docket
addressing pricing and other essential terms of public utility gas supply contracts. The
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (Commission) discussed this issue at its March 24,
2009 public meeting, reviewing a scoping document prepared by Commissioners Jan
Wilson and Kate Giard ("scoping document"). At that public meeting, the Commission
voted to issue the scoping document for review and request comments on the proper
scope of a possible regulations docket addressing pricing and other essential terms of
public utility gas supply contracts. The scoping document is available at:
https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/Dockets/DocketDetails.aspx?id=611c6eab-cbc6-4784-b8d2-f35ba8480218
The scoping document explained the regulatory tension that exists regarding Commission
review of natural gas supply contracts, noting the uncertainty public utilities and gas
suppliers face in trying to agree on price and terms of gas supply contracts. The scoping
document recommended addressing natural gas pricing issues in a regulations docket,
allowing the participation of all interested parties and various procedural mechanisms for
receiving input on the issue (written comments, public hearings, or technical workshops).
The scoping document further recommended that the scope of the regulations docket be
limited to pricing and other essential terms of public utility gas supply contracts,
including the consideration of standard contract language or a standard contract form.
The RCA requests comments on the scoping document and the Commission's tentative
decision to open a regulations docket to address provisions in natural gas supply
contracts. Commentors should discuss:
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whether the Commission should open a regulations docket addressing natural gas
pricing issues,
-
what is the proper scope of a regulations docket addressing natural gas pricing
issues, and
-
should the Commission consider developing standard contract language or a
standard contract forms for use with natural gas supply contracts.
lnterested persons may comment on the proper scope and docket type for an investigation
into natural gas supply contracts by submitting written comments to the attention of the
Robert M. Pickett, Chairman, Regulatory Commission of Alaska, 701 West Eighth
Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Comments must be received no later than
4 p.m., on May 1, 2009 and should reference Internal Docket I-09-007.
Dated: April 2, 2009 _________________________________
Robert M. Pickett, Chairman
Regulatory Commission of
Alaska
Date Issued: 4/3/2009