New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 17 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY SERVICES
Chapter 10 - GAS SERVICES
Part 660 - NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION
Section 17.10.660.6 - OBJECTIVE

A. The purposes of the Natural Gas Transportation Rule are to implement the Commission's authority pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 62-6-4.1 to authorize and require the nondiscriminatory and nonpreferential Transportation of natural gas by any person subject to the Commission's jurisdiction for a Seller or Purchaser of natural gas and to implement the related Commission authority pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 62-8-2 to assure the adequacy of gas supply to New Mexico utilities' Sales Customers and to Transportation Customers paying for standby service.

B. The intent of NMPUC Rule 660 [17.10.660 NMAC] is to encourage lower costs of natural gas for New Mexico consumers by providing competition in natural gas markets through open-access Transportation. Lower fuel costs are an integral part of New Mexico's economic development efforts because they preserve existing jobs, facilitate expansion of the State's businesses, and provide incentives for new industry to locate in New Mexico.

C. The Commission by NMPUC Rule 660 [17.10.660 NMAC] authorizes and requires the nondiscriminatory and nonpreferential Transportation of natural gas by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission for a Transportation Customer of natural gas to the extent of Available Capacity, subject to Capacity Allocation as described in the utility's Commission-authorized rules and tariffs and subject to (d) [D] below.

D. The terms and conditions imposed by NMPUC Rule 660 [17.10.660 NMAC] on the Transportation of natural gas are necessary to safeguard deliverability and operational efficiency, to prevent undue hardship, and to prevent anticompetitive conduct by a Public Utility.

E. The rates and charges for the Transportation of natural gas under NMPUC Rule 660 [17.10.660 NMAC] shall be just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory.