Natural Gas: Costs, Benefits, and Concerns Related to FERC's Order 636

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the costs and benefits of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) new order 636 and its potential impact on residential end-users, focusing on: (1) shifts in pipeline customers' fixed costs; (2) pipeline companies' estimated transition costs for implementing the new rule; and (3) the costs and benefits of changes in legislation and FERC regulations to deregulate the natural gas pipeline industry.