Natural Gas Consumer Protection Act of 1982

Natural Gas Consumer Protection Act of 1982 - Amends the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to define the term "abuse" so as to include: (1) misrepresentation; (2) imprudence on the part of a pipeline; (3) failure by a pipeline to bargain at arms-length with any producer; and (4) the entering into of or operating pursuant to any contract by a pipeline with a producer if such contract materially prevents the pipeline from responding to changes in customer demand or other market forces. Sets forth the circumstances under which a rebuttable presumption arises that a contract materially prevents a pipeline from responding to changes in customer demand or other market forces.

Authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prescribe the maximum duration of a contract for the purchase of natural gas.