Document: 423 U.S. 326 96 S.Ct. 579 46 L.Ed.2d 533 FEDERAL POWER COMMISSIONv.7[[TIQ!]] TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE CORPORATION. No. 75-584. Jan. 19, 1976. [Syllabus from this page intentionally omitted] PER CURIAM. 1 The Federal Power Commission seeks certiorari an interlocutory order of the Court Appeals for District Columbia Circuit, which defers that court's review at issue pending completion a certain evidentiary investigation by directed court. challenges authority to under statutory provision involved, § 19(b) Natural Gas Act, 52 Stat. 831, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 717r(b), and, in any event, contends abused its discretion circumstances case. 2 underlying case involves plans coping with natural gas shortage being experienced respondent Transcontinental Pipe Line Corp. (Transco). is said require curtailment contracted deliveries Transco customers during periods high demand. concern methods allocating shortfall among various customers. plan immediately was submitted cover period November 1974 1975. This interim filed September 1974, and result settlement agreement negotiated between provided allocation supplies Transco's shortage, monetary compensation scheme receiving more than systemwide average would compensate who received less average. rejected proposed plan, determining be violative Act. held violate (1) 4(a) 717c(a), requires pipeline's jurisdictional rate based on cost service plus reasonable return; (2) 4(b) 717c(b), prohibits undue discrimination rates similarly situated customers; (3) 7(c) 717f(c), persons engaging resales interstate commerce first obtain certificate public convenience necessity. 3 Thereafter, several parties sought Commission's determination.1 Following oral argument petition review, Appeals, "desiring fully informed about 'crisis' system before reviewing questions pertaining solution," entered sua sponte directing submit information concerning reserves. After responses order, noting refusal certify accuracy data supplied regarding reserves gas, court show cause why it should not conduct immediate claim reduced observing evidence "actual both underlies concept justifies application," issued order. That complete report "of claims subpoena books records all has legal interest . field (which) determined extent bona fides suppliers meeting their past future contract commitments. ." further decision deferred report, made within 30 days. 4 It petitions Court. argues overstepped bounds ordering Commission, doing so unwarrantedly interfered internal functional autonomy independent administrative agency. Additionally, argues, factual inquiry presented maintains material issues lawfulness presently confront Appeals. particularly true where, here, disapproved dealing alleged gas.2 Finally, impossible comply such complex much longer days allowed. 5 First. We agree challenged although nature, properly reviewable pursuant 28 1254(1). Clearly effect irreparable, propriety must meaningful. 6 Second. existence actual forms predicate necessary assertion transportation jurisdiction, 1(b) 717(b), approve already for. FPC v. Louisiana & Light Co., 406 621, 92 1827, 32 369 (1972). Certainly could conclude have had approved absence whereby "could reasonably believed" exist, Citizens Preserve Overton Park Volpe, 401 402, 416, 91 814, 823, 136 (1971), "substantial evidence" record support finding Commission. 7 Third. are view, however, issuing us. First, we consistently expressed view ordinarily decisions confined 'consideration agency based.' United States Carlo Bianchi 373 709, 714-715, 83 1409, 1413, 10 652 (1963). '[T]he focal point judicial existence, some new initially court.' Camp Pitts, 411 138, 142. 93 1241, 1244, 36 106 (1973). If 'is sustainable made, then vacated matter remanded consideration.' Id., 143, 1244. mode contemplated statute providing decisions, 717r(b).3 Secondly, recognized sits vested equity powers "may authorize proper cases take evidence," Mobil Oil FPC, 417 283, 311-312, 94 2328, 2347, 41 72 (1974), nevertheless will remand can exercise deciding how, light organizational considerations, may best proceed develop needed how prior modified develops. procedure statute, provides modify findings facts reason additional taken,' 'such or findings, if supported substantial evidence, shall conclusive ..' 717r(b). At least justification otherwise,4 not, after requisite adequate dictating methods, procedures, time dimension results reported without opportunity consideration basis Such clearly runs risk "propel(ling) into domain Congress set aside exclusively agency." SEC Chenery Corp., 332 194, 196, 67 1575, 1577, L.Ed. 1995 (1947). "The Court, true, power 'to affirm, modify, aside' 'in whole part.' But essentially function." Idaho 344 17, 21, 73 85, 87, 97 (1952). 8 Fourth. unable determine certainty, vantage partial now us, whether instant concerned absolutely essential review. Although Judge MacKinnon his separate statement apparently conceivable partially function severity shortage. Cf. supra. Accordingly, below free either merits only thereafter deal adequacy regard required inquiry. apparent neither alternative need Appeals' ability effectively process implementation premises relinquished. 9 Fifth. In immediacy problem attempting cope, protracted nature proceedings case, potential importance resolution case,5 swift priority merited. granted, vacated, consistent opinion. 11 ordered. 12 Order vacated; proceedings. 13 Mr. Justice STEWART POWELL did participate petitioning nor two respondents addressed issue, appears controversy moot even though concerns covering expired. earlier granted motion ordered disallowing plan. Consolidated Edison Co. F. P. C., 167 U.S.App.D.C. 134, 511 F.2d 372, 381 (1974). payments paid escrow account determination unlawful. Ibid. Therefore, disposition these affected ultimate judgment accord views forth accompanying "peripheral," "not wholly irrelevant" confronting He indicated he instead reach merits, affirm direct make "prior passing subsequent plan." Section Act provides: "Any party proceeding chapter aggrieved appeals circuit wherein natural-gas company relates located principal place business, filing court, sixty upon application rehearing, written praying part. A copy forthwith transmitted clerk member thereupon file complained entered, section 2112 Title 28. Upon exclusive, No objection considered unless been urged rehearing there ground failure do. facts, conclusive. apply leave adduce satisfaction were grounds taken adduced hearing manner terms conditions seem proper. taken, conclusive, recommendation, any, modification setting original decree affirming, modifying, aside, part, final, subject Supreme certification sections 346 347 28." do find reasons stated largely "has long notice" supporting claimed necessary, sufficient See Mississippi Pub. Serv. Comm'n 522 1345 (CA5 1975).

Category: 8