Minnesota Session Laws - 1983, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1983 

                        RESOLUTION 3--S.F.No. 186
 A resolution memorializing the President and Congress 
to halt the deregulation of natural gas prices under 
the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 for two years.  
     WHEREAS, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 was enacted to 
promote the conservation and equitable allocation of natural 
gas; and 
     WHEREAS, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 was enacted 
with the assumption that natural gas prices would increase at an 
annual rate approximately equal to four percent above inflation; 
and 
     WHEREAS, natural gas prices have actually increased 25 to 
30 percent per year; and 
    WHEREAS, unforeseen market conditions have emerged which 
have created problems in the implementation of natural gas price 
deregulation; and 
     WHEREAS, consumer conservation and the economic recession 
have resulted in decreased natural gas consumption thereby 
creating a surplus supply; and 
     WHEREAS, the recession and high unemployment have placed a 
severe burden on consumers who are forced to pay higher prices 
for basic energy needs; and 
     WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota is wholly dependent on 
natural gas supplies from other states and Canada; and 
     WHEREAS, it would be of great value to examine the 
potential effects of continued deregulation of natural gas 
prices and alternative means of accomplishing the purposes of 
the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978; NOW, THEREFORE, 
    BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota 
that Congress should speedily enact legislation to halt the 
deregulation of natural gas prices under the Natural Gas Policy 
Act of 1978 for two years. 
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the 
State of Minnesota is directed to transmit certified copies of 
this memorial to the President of the United States, the 
President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the 
Speaker and the Chief Clerk of the United States House of 
Representatives and to Minnesota's Senators and Representatives 
in Congress. 
    Approved April 22, 1983