GISB Meeting Brings Promise, Compromise, Light Reprimand

Fortnightly Magazine - December 1995
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The Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) has extended its lifespan and broadened its scope to tighten business practices and improve electronic transactions.

At its first-ever annual meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, GISB also was gently chided and commended by James J. Hoecker of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): "I submit to you that GISB must not, in an attempt to please everyone, set standards at the lowest common denominator. Nor can GISB sidestep the ways it comes to grips with tough issues simply because a perfect consensus proved elusive."Hoecker's comments seemed to temper those of FERC chair Elizabeth A. Moler. At the Interstate Natural Gas Association (INGAA) meeting in mid-October, Moler used stronger language. She said the FERC wants real movement on electronic communication standards, and "we frankly don't care who gets this done."

The GISB Board of Directors meeting, October 23, proved to some members that GISB could reach consensus on tough issues. The board extended the date of its charter and broadened its scope (em a compromise with its gas producer segment after heavy debate.

GISB has 200 members in the pipeline, local distribution, producer, service, and end-user segments. Five representatives from each segment serve on the board of directors. GISB is independent, and plans to develop and maintain voluntary standards governing electronic transactions and communications. The FERC has mandated pipeline electronic bulletin boards (EBBs) and transport capacity-release transactions.

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