In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares as follows:

1. (a) California gas production is an important part of the state’s gas supply.
2. (b) The actual delivered cost of California produced gas is presently lower than the cost of alternative out-of-state and Canadian gas supplies.
3. (c) California gas is produced and made available by California businesses and California taxpayers employing California workers.
4. (d) California gas consumers are entitled to a “least cost supply mix” in the gas supplies made available to them for purchase.
5. (e) California consumers and California producers of gas are entitled to be free of artificial constraints and unreasonable burdens on the marketing of California gas at a fair price.