1     
NATURAL GAS AMENDMENTS

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins

5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

6     Cosponsors:
7     Carl R. Albrecht
8     Brady Brammer
9     Kay J. Christofferson
10     Joel Ferry
Dan N. Johnson
Calvin R. Musselman
Derrin R. Owens
Val K. Potter
Douglas V. Sagers
Rex P. Shipp
V. Lowry Snow
Mike Winder

11     

12     LONG TITLE
13     General Description:
14          This bill modifies the Energy Resource Procurement Act by amending provisions
15     relating to natural gas infrastructure.
16     Highlighted Provisions:
17          This bill:
18          ▸     amends the definition of rural gas infrastructure development to include the
19     acquisition, extension, or expansion of natural gas utility facilities to serve
20     previously unserved rural areas of the state; and
21          ▸     makes technical changes.
22     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23          None
24     Other Special Clauses:
25          This bill provides a special effective date.
26     Utah Code Sections Affected:
27     AMENDS:
28          54-17-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 449

29     

30     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
31          Section 1. Section 54-17-401 is amended to read:
32          54-17-401. Definitions -- Rules.
33          (1) As used in this part:
34          (a) "Energy utility" means one of the following with 200,000 retail customers in the
35     state:
36          (i) an electrical corporation; or
37          (ii) a gas corporation.
38          (b) "Resource decision" means a decision, other than a decision to construct or acquire
39     a significant energy resource, involving:
40          (i) an energy utility's acquisition, management, or operation of energy production,
41     processing, transmission, or distribution facilities or processes including:
42          (A) a facility or process for the efficient, reliable, or safe provision of energy to retail
43     customers;
44          (B) an energy efficiency and conservation program; or
45          (C) rural gas infrastructure development; or
46          (ii) a decision determined by the commission to be appropriate for review under this
47     part.
48          (c) "Rural gas infrastructure development" means the acquisition, planning,
49     development, extension, expansion, and construction of [an extension or expansion of] natural
50     gas [main lines] utility facilities to serve previously unserved rural areas of the state.
51          (2) The commission may adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
52     Administrative Rulemaking Act, to specify the nature of resource decisions subject to approval
53     under Section 54-17-402.
54          Section 2. Effective date.
55          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
56     upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah

57     Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
58     the date of veto override.