(a) The provisions of this part apply to filings pursuant to section 4 of the Natural Gas Act.

(b) Every natural gas company must file with the Commission and post in conformity with the requirements of this part, schedules showing all rates and charges for any transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and the classifications, practices, rules, and regulations affecting such rates, charges, and services, together with all contracts related thereto.

(c) No natural gas company may file, under this part, any new or changed rate schedule or contract for the performance of any service for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity or certificate amendment must be obtained pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, until such certificate has been issued.

(d) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, any contract that conforms to the form of service agreement that is part of the pipeline's tariff pursuant to § 154.110 does not have to be filed. Any contract or executed service agreement which deviates in any material aspect from the form of service agreement in the tariff is subject to the filing requirements of this part.

(a) Contract means any agreement which in any manner affects or relates to rates, charges, classifications, practices, rules, regulations, or services for any transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. This term includes an executed service agreement.

(b) FERC Gas Tariff or tariff means a compilation, on electronic media, of all of the effective rate schedules of a particular natural gas company, and a copy of each form of service agreement.

(c) Form of service agreement means an unexecuted agreement for service included as an example in the tariff.

(d) Post means: to make a copy of a natural gas company's tariff and contracts available during regular business hours for public inspection in a convenient form and place at the natural gas company's offices where business is conducted with affected customers; and, to serve each affected customer and interested state Commission in accordance with § 154.208 of this Part.

(e) Rate schedule means a statement of a rate or charge for a particular classification of transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and all terms, conditions, classifications, practices, rules, and regulations affecting such rate or charge.

(f) Filing date means the day on which a tariff, or part thereof, or a contract is received in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for filing in compliance with the requirements of this part.

(a) The effective tariff of a natural gas company is the tariff filed pursuant to the requirements of this part, and permitted by the Commission to become effective. A natural gas company must not directly or indirectly, demand, charge, or collect any rate or charge for, or in connection with, the transportation or sale of natural gas subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or impose any classifications, practices, rules, or regulations, different from those prescribed in its effective tariff and executed service agreements on file with the Commission, unless otherwise specifically permitted by order of the Commission.

(b) No tariff provision may purport to change an effective rate or charge except in the manner provided in section 4 of the Natural Gas Act, and the regulations in this part. The tariff may not provide for any rate or charge to be automatically changed by an index or other periodic adjustment, without filing for a rate change pursuant to these regulations.

(a) General rule. All filings made in proceedings initiated under this part must be made electronically, including tariffs, rate schedules, service agreements, and contracts, or parts thereof, and material that relates to or bears upon such documents, such as cancellations, amendments, withdrawals, termination, or adoption of tariffs, and motions relating to suspension.

(b) Requirement for signature. All filings must be signed in compliance with the following:

(1) The signature on a filing constitutes a certification that the contents are true to the best knowledge and belief of the signer, and that the signer possesses full power and authority to sign the filing.

(2) A filing must be signed by one of the following:

(i) The person on behalf of whom the filing is made;

(ii) An officer, agent, or employee of the company, governmental authority, agency, or instrumentality on behalf of which the filing is made; or,

(iii) A representative qualified to practice before the Commission under § 385.2101 of this chapter who possesses authority to sign.

(3) All signatures on the filing or any document included in the filing must comply, where applicable, with the requirements in § 385.2005 of this chapter with respect to sworn declarations or statements and electronic signatures.

(c) Format requirements for electronic filing. The requirements and formats for electronic filing are listed in instructions for electronic filing and for each form. These formats are available through the Commission's website, https://www.ferc.gov.

(d) Only filings filed and designated as filings with statutory action dates in accordance with these electronic filing requirements and formats will be considered to have statutory action dates. Filings not properly filed and designated as having statutory action dates will not become effective, pursuant to the Natural Gas Act, should the Commission not act by the requested action date.

A filing that fails to comply with this part may be rejected by the Director of the Office of Energy Market Regulation pursuant to the authority delegated to the Director in Part 375 of this chapter.

The acceptance for filing of any tariff, contract or part thereof does not constitute approval by the Commission. Any filing which does not comply with any applicable statute, rule, or order, may be rejected.

The following must be included with the filing of any tariff, executed service agreement, or part thereof, or change thereto.

(a) A letter of transmittal containing:

(1) A list of the material enclosed,

(2) The name of a responsible company official to whom questions regarding the filing may be addressed, with a telephone number at which the official may be reached,

(3) The date on which such filing is proposed to become effective,

(4) Reference to the authority under which the filing is made, including the specific section of a statute, subpart of these regulations, order of the Commission, provision of the company's tariff, or any other appropriate authority. If an order is referenced, the letter must include the citation to the FERC Reports, the date of issuance, and the lead docket number of the proceeding in which the order was issued.

(5) A list of the tariff sheets or sections enclosed,

(6) A statement of the nature, the reasons, and the basis for the filing. The statement must include a summary of the changes or additions made to the tariff or executed service agreement, as appropriate. The statement must include a quantified summary comparing the cost of service, rate base and throughput underlying each change in rate made to the tariff or executed service agreement compared to the same information underlying the last rate found by the Commission to be just and reasonable. A detailed explanation of the need for each change or addition to the tariff or executed service agreement must be included. The natural gas company also must note all relevant precedents relied upon to prepare its filing.

(7) Any requests for waiver. A request for waiver must include a reference to the specific section of the statute, regulations, or the company's tariff from which waiver is sought, and a justification for the waiver.

(8) Where the natural gas company proposes a new rate, identification of the last rate, found by the Commission to be just and reasonable, that underlies the proposed rate.

(9) A motion, in case of minimal suspension, to place the proposed rates into effect at the end of the suspension period; or, a specific statement that the pipeline reserves its right to file a later motion to place the proposed rates into effect at the end of the suspension period.

(b) A certification of service to all customers and state commissions pursuant to § 154.2(d).

Any natural gas company may informally submit a proposed tariff or any part thereof or material relating thereto for the suggestions of the Commission staff prior to filing. Opinions of the Commission staff are not binding upon the Commission.