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<br />1-5 <br /> <br /> <br />1-0 ,- ~, <br /> <br />regulating the number of wells which could be developed in a reservoir <br />and the allowable production rates of individual wells. Although such <br />controls aimed to conserve the production capacities of fields, they also <br />served to influence the prices of energy commodities by regulating the <br />supply. Such regulation has remained an active area of state influence on <br />energy pricing and production. <br />To efficiently manage the state's natural energy resources, utility <br />companies were granted exclusive franchises to market energy in specified <br />areas. I n exchange for this guaranteed market, the state regulated the <br />placement of energy facilities and determined the rates charged for services. <br />Today, public utility commissions still carry-out this type of control, <br />though the Federal government has established many requirements in order <br />to preserve the advantages of unrestrained interstate trade. <br />Under the theory that some of the benefits derived from the use of <br />the state's mineral resources should accrue to the state's population in <br />general, severence taxes, production taxes, or use taxes, were imposed on <br />mineral production. These taxes are still of substantial importance in the <br />pricing and production of energy, as are property taxes and taxes on <br />sales or end-use. <br />The dramatic rise in energy costs and the potential for supply inter- <br />ruptions have recently encouraged states to enact measures promoting <br />energy efficiency. Tax incentives which encourage the use of non-tradi- <br />tional energy sources, electric utility rate reforms, and public information <br />programs emphasizing the benefits of energy conservation are all now <br />being actively undertaken by state energy offices. <br />Sections 3.0 through 8.0 present the results of a review and assess- <br />ment of the current High Plains states' laws and regulations which affect <br />energy production and use. As with the evolving nature of Federal energy <br />regulation, the regulatory environments of the six High Plains states have <br />probably changed since this inventory was completed. <br />