49 U.S.C. § 15503 — Authority and criteria: rates, classifications, rules, and practices prescribed by Board

(a) In General. The Board can hold a full hearing on a pipeline carrier. If the Board decides the carrier's rate, or its classification, rule, or practice, breaks this part of the law (or will break it), the Board can set a new rate, classification, rule, or practice for the carrier to follow. The Board may use "rate reasonableness procedures" — methods that act like a market price for a stand-alone pipeline. The Board can order the carrier to stop the violation. Once the Board sets a rate, classification, rule, or practice, the carrier cannot charge a different rate. It cannot collect a different rate either. It must adopt the classification and follow the rule or practice the Board set. (b) Factors To Consider. When the Board sets a rate, classification, rule, or practice, it must think about several things, including: (1) how the change affects the carrier's traffic; (2) whether the carrier will earn enough revenue, if run honestly and efficiently, to keep providing the transportation or service; and (3) whether other affordable ways to transport the goods exist. (c) Proceeding. The Board can start this kind of case because of a complaint. The complaint must fully explain the facts and the reasons behind it, and the person filing it must swear to it under oath.