Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 52.djvu/865

 PUBLIC LAWS--CH. 556 -JUNE 21, 1938 Provisos. Power of Commis- sion to increase or de- crease rates. Determination of cost of production or transportation. Ascertainment of cost of property. Inventory of prop- erty; original cost, improvements, etc. Extension of facil- ities. Proviso. Not to impair serv- ice, etc. Abandonment of service. or that any rule, regulation, practice, or contract affecting such rate, charge, or classification is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential, the Commission shall determine the just and reason- able rate, charge, classification, rule, regulation, practice, or contract to be thereafter observed and in force, and shall fix the same by order: Provided, however, That the Commission shall have no power to order any increase in any rate contained in the currently effective schedule of such natural gas company on file with the Commission, unless such increase is in accordance with a new schedule filed by such natural gas company; but the Commission may order a decrease where existing rates are unjust, unduly discriminatory, preferential, otherwise unlawful, or are not the lowest reasonable rates. (b) The Commission upon its own motion, or upon the request of any State commission, whenever it can do so without prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of its affairs, may investigate and determine the cost of the production or transportation of natural gas by a natural-gas company in cases where the Commission has no authority to establish a rate governing the transportation or sale of such natural gas. ASCERTAINMENT OF COST OF PROPERTY SEC. 6. (a) The Commission may investigate and ascertain the actual legitimate cost of the property of every natural-gas company, the depreciation therein, and, when found necessary for rate-making purposes, other facts which bear on the determination of such cost or depreciation and the fair value of such property. (b) Every natural-gas company upon request shall file with the Commission an inventory of all or any part of its property and a state- ment of the original cost thereof, and shall keep the Commission informed regarding the cost of all additions, betterments, extensions, and new construction. EXTENSION OF FACILITIES; ABANDONMENT OF SERVICE SEC. 7. (a) Whenever the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, finds such action necessary or desirable in the public interest, it may by order direct a natural-gas company to extend or improve its transportation facilities, to establish physical connection of its transportation facilities with the facilities of, and sell natural gas to, any person or municipality engaged or legally authorized to engage in the local distribution of natural or artificial gas to the public, and for such purpose to extend its transportation facilities to communities immediately adjacent to such facilities or to territory served by such natural-gas company, if the Commission finds that no undue burden will be placed upon such natural-gas company thereby: Provided, That the Commission shall have no authority to compel the enlargement of transportation facilities for such purposes, or to compel such natural-gas company to establish physical connec- tion or sell natural gas when to do so would impair its ability to render adequate service to its customers. (b) No natural-gas company shall abandon all or any portion of its facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or any service rendered by means of such facilities, without the permission and approval of the Commission first had and obtained, after due hearing, and a finding by the Commission that the available supply of natural gas is depleted to the extent that the continuance of service is unwarranted, or that the present or future public conven- ience or necessity permit such abandonment. 824 [52 STAT.

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