Heating Value, Purity, and Pressure

(a)A utility shall establish and maintain in its tariffs a minimum heating value for its gas, expressed in British Thermal Units per standard cubic foot. The minimum heating value shall be no less than the monthly average gross heating value of gas supplied by the utility in any given service area. No deviation below this minimum shall be permitted. The utility shall determine the heating value of gas by testing gas taken from such points on the utility's system and at such test frequencies as are reasonably necessary for a proper determination. The utility shall maintain records of tests conducted to determine the heating value of gas. The results of these tests shall be stated in terms of standard conditions.#

(b)A change in minimum heating value shall require an appropriate adjustment, if any, to rates.#

(c)The utility shall ensure that the gas it supplies, if from multiple sources or if the supply from a single source changes in composition, is interchangeable for safe and efficient use. The utility shall ensure that gas from new supply sources or from supply sources which the gas composition has changed is interchangeable with the gas it currently supplies. The utility shall evaluate interchangeability by means of one of the following:#

(I)use of test results which establish that the gas supplied to the end-user falls within an acceptable range and which take into account the heating value, specific gravity, and composition of the gas;#

(II)use of actual appliances to determine acceptability; or#

(III)use of a standard in the natural gas industry.#

(d)A utility shall promptly readjust its customers' appliances and devices as necessary to render proper service if the readjustment is required for safe and efficient use in accordance with paragraph (c) of this rule. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, a readjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be done at no charge to the customer. If a utility determines that a readjustment pursuant to this paragraph is necessary, the utility shall notify the Commission, in writing, of the readjustment and of the reason for the readjustment.#

(e)A utility whose gas delivery exceeds 20 million cubic feet per annum shall test the heating value of gas at least once each week, unless the utility purchases or receives gas on a heat value basis or unless the interconnecting pipeline provides the utility with a record of the heating value of the gas delivered and the interconnecting pipeline's tests are made at least once each week.#

(f)All gas supplied to customers shall be substantially free of impurities which may cause corrosion of facilities or which may form corrosive or harmful fumes when burned in a properly-designed and properly-adjusted burner.#

(g)A LDC shall deliver gas at a pressure of six inches water column, plus or minus two inches water column, measured at the meter outlet, unless operating conditions require a higher delivery pressure. If a higher pressure is required, the utility shall require the customer to install appropriate pressure regulating equipment in the customer's lines, if necessary.#

(h)A utility shall monitor distribution pressure as follows:#

(I)In a distribution system serving 100 or fewer customers, the utility shall semi-annually check distribution pressures by indicating gauges at the district regulator station or other appropriate point in the distribution system.#

(II)In distribution system serving more than 100 and fewer than 500 customers, the utility shall provide at least one recording pressure gauge or telemetering pressure device at the pressure regulating station or at some other appropriate point in the distribution system.#

(III)In a distribution system serving 500 or more customers, the utility shall maintain one or more additional recording pressure gauges or telemetering pressure devices and shall make frequent 24-hour records of the gas pressure prevailing at appropriate points in the system.#

(i)In its tariff, a utility shall include a description of test methods, equipment, and frequency of testing used to determine the quality and pressure of gas service furnished.#