Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 120 - Commerce Department
Chapter 7610 - ENERGY INFORMATION REPORTING
GAS AND GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES
Part 7610.0800 - DEFINITIONS

Subpart 1. Scope.

For purposes of parts 7610.0800 to 7610.1230, the following definitions shall apply.

Subp. 2. [Repealed, 16 SR 1400]

Subp. 3. Annual gas consumption.

"Annual gas consumption" means the total amount of gas used or disposed of in Minnesota for all purposes by either a gas utility or interstate pipeline company. This definition shall not include natural gas in storage at the end of the reporting year.

Subp. 4. Annual sales to ultimate consumers.

"Annual sales to ultimate consumers" means gas sales to end use customers in a utility's or pipeline company's Minnesota service area.

Subp. 5. Basic forecast.

"Basic forecast" refers to that more elementary, less documented forecast required of all Minnesota gas utilities. While all utilities must file a basic forecast, only specifically designated utilities must in addition file an extended forecast that requires additional data and greater documentation.

Subp. 6. [Repealed, 16 SR 1400]

Subp. 7. Curtailment.

"Curtailment" means a reduction or cutoff of supply to firm or interruptible customers that is related directly to deficiencies in gas supply.

Subp. 7a. Department.

"Department" means the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Subp. 8. Design day.

"Design day" means the 24-hour period of the greatest theoretical gas demand at a given 24-hour average temperature.

Subp. 9. Design day availability.

"Design day availability" means the volume of each type of gas available on the design day and the maximum total volume of such supplies.

Subp. 10. Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Commerce.

Subp. 11. Firm contract customers.

"Firm contract customers" means customers served under schedules or contracts that neither anticipate nor permit interruption.

Subp. 12. Gas.

"Gas" means any form of gaseous fuel distributed as a vapor through distribution systems to ultimate consumers, including natural gas and all gaseous fuels equivalent in performance to natural gas.

Subp. 13. Gas volume.

"Gas volume" means the volume of gas as measured at 14.73 psia at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. All volumes shall be in thousands of cubic feet (MCF) unless otherwise stated.

Subp. 14. Interruptible contract customers.

"Interruptible contract customers" means customers served under schedules or contracts that anticipate or permit interruption of service during the term of the contract.

Subp. 15. Interstate gas pipeline company.

"Interstate gas pipeline company" means an entity that operates an interstate gas pipeline that provides gas to any utility located in Minnesota, also referred to in these rules as "pipeline company" or "interstate pipeline company."

Subp. 16. Large energy facility.

"Large energy facility" means any pipeline for transporting natural or synthetic gas at pressure in excess of 200 pounds per square inch with more than 50 miles of its length in Minnesota, any facility designed for or capable of storing on a single site more than 100,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas or synthetic gas, or any underground gas storage facility requiring a permit pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.681, subdivision 1, paragraph (a).

Subp. 17. Last calendar year.

"Last calendar year" means the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which reports are required to be filed.

Subp. 18. Liquefied natural gas.

"Liquefied natural gas" means natural gas stored as a liquid at or near atmospheric pressure at a temperature of approximately minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit.

Subp. 19. Minnesota service area.

"Minnesota service area" means the geographical area within the state of Minnesota where a gas utility or interstate pipeline company serves ultimate consumers. The Minnesota service area for an interstate pipeline company shall also include all Minnesota utilities which it services.

Subp. 20. Natural gas.

"Natural gas" means a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons and nonhydrocarbon gases found in porous geologic formations beneath the earth's surface, the principal constituent of which is methane.

Subp. 21. Peak day.

"Peak day" means the 24-hour period of greatest gas sendout.

Subp. 22. Substitute natural gas.

"Substitute natural gas" means any gaseous fuel equivalent in performance to natural gas that is created from other gases, liquids, or solid hydrocarbons. Substitute natural gas shall include manufactured gas, gas produced from liquid petroleum gases such as propane, butane, and gas produced from naphtha. Whenever the term "synthetic gas" is used within these parts it shall be construed to mean the same as substitute natural gas.

Subp. 23. Ultimate consumer.

"Ultimate consumer" means end use customers who do not sell gas for resale.

Subp. 24. Utility.

"Utility" means any entity in Minnesota whose primary business is the distribution of gas to ultimate consumers, including but not limited to a private investor-owned utility or a public or municipally owned utility.