The Legislature of the State of Mississippi hereby finds that the public interest will be served by fostering the construction and operation of intrastate gas pipelines in order to secure for public and private needs a dependable supply of gas which will be produced within this state. The Legislature further finds that an emergency exists because numerous commercial enterprises have been closed or restricted in operation due to a shortage of gas resulting in a loss of employment and industrial capacity within this state and threatens irreparable injury to life or property, and the possibility exists that supplies of gas for residential and health related purposes may be restricted in the future. In order to assist in alleviating these shortages, both actual and potential, the Legislature enacts this legislation.