Opinion ID: 1792724
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: MUD first argues that the PSC lacked jurisdiction over the dispute because the extension's purpose was operationally driven to maintain and enhance MUD's subsystem reliability and capacity and was not for the extension of service to new customers. According to MUD, § 57-1303 applies only to extensions of services to new customers. We disagree. Section 57-1303 provides in part: No investor-owned natural gas utility or metropolitan utilities district may extend or enlarge its natural gas service area or extend or enlarge its natural gas mains or natural gas services unless it is in the public interest to do so. Under § 57-1306, the PSC is given power to determine whether an extension or enlargement is in the public interest: If the investor-owned natural gas utility or the metropolitan utilities district disagrees with a determination by an investor-owned natural gas utility or a metropolitan utilities district that a proposed extension or enlargement is in the public interest, the matter may be submitted to the Public Service Commission for hearing and determination in the county where the extension or enlargement is proposed.... In making a determination whether a proposed extension or enlargement is in the public interest, the commission shall consider the factors set forth in sections 57-1303 and 57-1304. The commission shall have no jurisdiction over a metropolitan utilities district or natural gas utility beyond the determination of disputes brought before it under sections 57-1301 to 57-1307. Statutory language is to be given its plain and ordinary meaning, and an appellate court will not resort to interpretation to ascertain the meaning of statutory words which are plain, direct, and unambiguous. McCray v. Nebraska State Patrol, ante 271 Neb. 1, 710 N.W.2d 300 (2006). Further, we strictly construe jurisdictional statutes. See Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Servs. v. Struss, 261 Neb. 435, 623 N.W.2d 308 (2001). The plain language of § 57-1303 states that it applies to extensions or enlargements of a natural gas service area or extensions or enlargements of natural gas mains or natural gas services. Section 57-1306 specifically gives the PSC jurisdiction to determine whether extensions or enlargements are in the public interest. The statute does not limit the determination to only extensions of service to new customers. Instead, it specifically includes enlargement of natural gas mains or services without reference to new customers. Under the plain language of §§ 57-1303 and 57-1306, the PSC had jurisdiction.