The State Regulatory Committee is dedicated to serving as a valuable and trusted resource to NARUC members in their consideration of public policy issues related to the gas utility industry. The focus of this AGA committee is becoming wider in scope. Activities of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) itself are expanding. Moreover, issues of interest to AGA’s members are now spanning a number of NARUC’s committees as utility services are converging. The committee must anticipate issues of wide spread concern among state regulators, to provide educational materials and to oppose ill-advised regulatory policies. For example, the committee is active in educating regulators – through NARUC – on increasing volatility in natural gas prices, on the pros and cons of mechanisms to mitigate that volatility, on the need for a fair competitive environment under retail choice programs, on funding research and development, on pipeline safety, among other issues.
This committee offers the opportunity to participate in development and advancement of AGA positions on crucial state regulatory issues and to develop advanced understanding and cross-fertilization of positions.
The issues to be addressed by the committee will be established by the Government Relations Policy Committee (GRPC) and the membership through the annual advocacy priority process and will be refined in committee meetings as necessary. The committee presents topical workshops, seminars, meetings and position papers. It coordinates and supports the members’ state and NARUC lobbying activities on issues of widespread concern, and it offers receptions and dinners heavily attended by state officials.
The State Regulatory Committee is the association’s primary liaison with members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. The committee interacts with several AGA committees: FERC Regulatory, Rate and Strategic Issues, Operations, Legislative, and Research. The committee coordinates its lobbying activities with EEI and consults with NEMA to develop common positions. The committee also works with other organizations on an as needed basis.