---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 15503"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "15503"
heading: "Authority and criteria: rates, classifications, rules, and practices prescribed by Board"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/15503"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part C — Pipeline Carriers"
  - "Chapter 155 — Rates"
---

# §15503. Authority and criteria: rates, classifications, rules, and practices prescribed by Board

- (a) **In General.—** When the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), after a full hearing, decides that a [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) charged or collected by a [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2) for [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) subject to this part, or that a classification, rule, or practice of that [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3), does or will violate this part, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may prescribe the [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classification, rule, or practice to be followed. In prescribing the [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classification, rule, or practice, the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may utilize [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) reasonableness procedures that provide an effective simulation of a market-based price for a stand alone pipeline. The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may order the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) to stop the violation. When a [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classification, rule, or practice is prescribed under this subsection, the affected [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) may not publish, charge, or collect a different [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7) and shall adopt the classification and observe the rule or practice prescribed by the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1).
- (b) **Factors To Consider.—** When prescribing a [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classification, rule, or practice for [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service by a [pipeline carrier](/usc/49/15102.md?p=2), the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) shall consider, among other factors—
  - (1) the effect of the prescribed [rate](/usc/49/10102.md?p=7), classification, rule, or practice on the movement of traffic by that [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3);
  - (2) the need for revenues that are sufficient, under honest, economical, and efficient management, to let the [carrier](/usc/49/13102.md?p=3) provide that [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) or service; and
  - (3) the availability of other economic [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) alternatives.
- (c) **Proceeding.—** The [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may begin a proceeding under this section on complaint. A complaint under this section must contain a full statement of the facts and the reasons for the complaint and must be made under oath.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 106(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 924.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 10704 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.