Jo-Carroll Energy representatives were among a delegation of member systems from the American Public Gas Association (APGA) who recently met with legislators, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) commissioners and leadership from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

This Legislative Summit was held in conjunction with APGA's Winter board and committee meetings in Washington, D.C. Jan. 29-Feb. 1.

"The purpose of these meetings, among other things, is to gain support on legislation and regulation that impacts the cost of natural gas to JCE members," said Mike Casper, JCE president and CEO. "For example, public natural gas systems are not-for-profit, and FERC's lack of refund authority is a significant challenge to keeping rates low for the communities we serve. In 2021 alone, seven of the most profitable interstate pipelines received nearly $900 million above a reasonable rate of return, which should have been refunded to natural gas consumers.

"We also stressed the importance of approving needed infrastructure such as new natural gas pipelines that will help reduce the cost of energy that we pass through to members, which makes up as much of half of their bills," Casper said.

He continued that as rolling blackout occurred in nearby states during recent extreme cold weather, lack of new natural gas infrastructure is a driver behind higher costs, not only to JCE's natural gas members, but also electric members as more electricity is generated from natural gas.

Topics of discussion with PHMSA included pipeline safety management systems, the relationship between training and operator qualification, pipeline safety benefits of anti-drug and alcohol programs, and leak detection and repair programs.

"It was an excellent opportunity for legislatures, FERC commissioners and PHMSA's staff to hear directly from public gas systems as they make important decisions that may negatively affect rates," Casper said.