RS 577 - Change in priorities without hearing; emergency
A. If the commissioner finds an emergency to exist which in his judgment requires a change in the above priorities for allocation or rationing of intrastate natural gas, without first having a hearing, his emergency order providing for such a change shall remain in force no longer than thirty days from its effective date, unless the commissioner had been physically unable to hold or complete public hearings on the matter by reason of the pressure of multiple public hearings being sought in such matters, in which event, the emergency order shall remain in effect until such time as the commissioner can physically conduct a hearing on the problem. However, such hearing in any case must be held within a maximum period of 120 days or such order will automatically expire. In any event, the emergency order shall expire when a rule, regulation or order made after notice and hearing with respect to the same subject matter becomes effective.
B. Any interested person directly affected by any curtailment procedures, rules, regulations or orders of the commissioner relating to the emergency gas shortage allocation plan has the right to request the commissioner to call a hearing for the purpose of taking action in respect to such matter by making a request thereof in writing. Upon receiving the request, the commissioner shall as soon as the physical circumstances of the commissioner will permit, considering especially pending hearings and requests for hearings, call a hearing. After the hearing, and with all convenient speed, and in any event within thirty days after the conclusion of the hearing, the commissioner shall take whatever action he deems appropriate with regard to the subject matter. In the event of failure or refusal of the commissioner to issue an order within the period of thirty days, he may be compelled to do so by mandamus at the suit of any interested persons.
Added by Acts 1973, Ex.Sess., No. 16, §1, emerg. eff. Dec. 8, 1973, at 9:55 A.M.