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HR 540 101th Congress House

Natural Gas Transition Act of 1989

Official title: To coordinate the regulatory authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with that of State or local regulatory agencies relative to service which wo… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To coordinate the regulatory authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with that of State or local regulatory agencies relative to service which would bypass local utility service and to facilitate the resolution at the State or local regulatory level of competition policy issues relating to local service.

Introduced: January 19, 1989 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Energy Energy policyFederal-local relationsGas companiesGas industry
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Natural gasPetroleumState laws
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Jan 19, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 19, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 6, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Natural Gas Transition Act of 1989 - Prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) from permitting natural gas distribution service which would displace existing service being provided by a local distribution company (or which could be provided) if: (1) the State or local regulatory authority certifies to the Commission that the displacing service would prejudice the interests of such distribution company's customers; or (2) the proponent of such displacing service fails to demonstrate that the local distribution company protesting the proposed service is unwilling to provide transportation service on terms acceptable to the State or local commission. Precludes the Commission from permitting such displacing service until 30 days after it has published notice of such service in the Federal Register.

Applies this Act to all service not provided before its date of enactment, regardless of whether the Commission had granted permission to provide such service before such date.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 540: Natural Gas Transition Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-540/
MLA
"H.R. 540: Natural Gas Transition Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-540/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 540, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-540/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 540: Natural Gas Transition Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-540/)
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