Atenção: A questão refere-se ao texto apresentado abaixo.

Regulation of Natural Gas Distribution

Traditionally, local distribution companies (LDCs) have been awarded exclusive rights to distribute natural gas in a specified geographic area, as well as perform services like billing, safety inspection, and providing natural gas hookups for new customers. LDCs have historically been looked upon as natural monopolies. Because of the cost of implementing the distribution infrastructure, it would be uneconomic [VERB] overlapping distribution networks in any one area, meaning that in most areas there is only one LDC offering distribution services.

Because of their position as natural monopolies in a given geographic area, distribution companies have historically been regulated to ensure that monopoly power is not abused, and natural gas consumers do not fall victim to overly high distribution costs or inefficient delivery systems. State public utility commissions are charged with the oversight and regulation of investor owned local distribution companies. Those utilities owned by local governments are typically governed by local government agencies to ensure that the needs and preferences of customers are met in a cost effective manner. State regulation of local distribution companies has a variety of objectives, including ensuring adequate supply, dependable service, and reasonable prices for consumers, while also allowing for an adequate rate of return for investor owned LDCs. Local distribution companies have historically offered only bundled services; that is, they combine the cost of all upstream activities, including their own transportation and the price of purchasing the natural gas itself, into one price for consumers. However, recently there has been a movement towards the retail unbundling of natural gas sales. Many states now offer programs in which customers may choose from whom they purchase their gas, and use the distribution network in place simply to transport that natural gas to its point of consumption. These programs, commonly called 'customer choice' programs, are in place or under development in a number of states.

Although most residential and small commercial customers tend towards purchasing 'bundled' natural gas from LDCs, new methods for allowing customer choice in natural gas purchases are being tested in a number of states. The increasingly important role of natural gas marketers, as well as the innovation fueled by increasing competition in the marketplace, is leading to innovative ways of supplying natural gas to small volume users.

(Adapted from http://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/ distribution.asp)

Segundo o texto, as companhias de distribuição locais