Opinion ID: 597401
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Natural Gas Act's Hearing Requirement

Text: 43 Petitioners' first claim is that the NGA required an in-person, trial-type hearing in this case. Respondents counter with the argument that the NGA does not require such a hearing where, as here, the paper record provides a sufficient basis for resolving the relevant issues. Petitioners dismiss respondents' concept of a paper hearing as nothing more than semantics. We cannot accept petitioners' contention, in view of American Public Gas Ass'n v. Federal Power Comm'n, 567 F.2d 1016, 1067 (D.C.Cir.1977) (rejecting argument that the NGA requires oral, trial-type hearings in all cases), cert. denied, 435 U.S. 907, 98 S.Ct. 1456, 1457, 55 L.Ed.2d 499 (1978), and Wisconsin Gas Co. v. FERC, 770 F.2d 1144, 1168 n. 41 (D.C.Cir.1985) (same), cert. denied sub nom. Transwestern Pipeline Co. v. FERC, 476 U.S. 1114, 106 S.Ct. 1968, 1969, 90 L.Ed.2d 653 (1986). Furthermore, we have held on several occasions that FERC need not conduct an evidentiary hearing when there are no disputed issues of material fact, see, e.g., Woolen Mills Assocs. v. FERC, 917 F.2d 589, 592 (D.C.Cir.1990); Pennsylvania Pub. Util. Comm'n v. FERC, 881 F.2d 1123, 1126 (D.C.Cir.1989), and that even where there are such disputed issues, FERC need not conduct such a hearing if they may be adequately resolved on the written record. See Louisiana Ass'n of Indep. Producers and Royalty Owners v. FERC, 958 F.2d 1101, 1113-15 (D.C.Cir.1992); Citizens for Allegan Cty., Inc. v. Federal Power Comm'n, 414 F.2d 1125, 1129 (D.C.Cir.1969). We review FERC's decision not to hold a hearing only for abuse of discretion, Woolen Mills, 917 F.2d at 592, and, to say the least, we find none on the record before us. 44