98-984. LG&E Natural Pipeline Company; Notice of Petition for Rate Approval

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2374-2375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-984]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PR98-5-000]


LG&E Natural Pipeline Company; Notice of Petition for Rate 
Approval

January 9, 1998.
    Take notice that on December 31, 1997, LG&E Natural Pipeline 
Company (LG&E) filed pursuant to section 284.123(b)(2) of the 
Commission's regulations a petition for rate approval requesting that 
the Commission approve as fair and equitable rates for NGPA section 311 
transportation services the following: (i) For firm transportation 
service, a demand charge not to exceed $2.0893 and a variable charge 
not to exceed $0.0129 per MMBtu; (ii) for interruptible transportation 
service, a volumetric rate not to exceed $0.0186 per MMBtu; and (iii) 
for storage services, those established by contract between LG&E and 
its customers.
    LG&E's petition states that it is an intrastate pipeline within the 
meaning of section 2(16) of the NGPA operating within the State of New 
Mexico. According to its petition, LG&E offers both firm and 
interruptible transportation services in interstate commerce under 
section 311 of the NGPA. It also offers storage services under section 
311.
    LG&E's currently effective rates for section 311 services were 
established by a Settlement in Docket Nos. PR94-21-000, et al., which 
was approved on August 6, 1996. 76 FERC para. 61,181 (1996). LG&E's 
currently effective maximum firm transportation rate under section 311 
consists of a maximum demand charge of $2.4746 and a maximum variable 
charge of $0.0117 per MMBtu; the current maximum interruptible 
transportation rate is $0.0930 per MMBtu. The rates for storage 
services LG&E offers under section 311 are now ``market-based'',

[[Page 2375]]

and are established through arm's length negotiations.
    Article IX of the Settlement approved on August 6, 1996 required 
LG&E to file an application for rate approval pursuant to section 
284.123(b)(2) on or before December 31, 1997 to justify its then 
current rates or establish new rates, and to demonstrate that the rates 
thus proposed are fair and equitable. LG&E states that the purpose of 
the petition for rate approval it has filed in the proceeding is to 
comply with Article IX of the Settlement and the August 6, 1996 order.
    Pursuant to section 284.123(b)(2)(ii), if the Commission does not 
act within 150 days of the filing date, LG&E's proposed rates will be 
fair and equitable. The Commission may, prior to the expiration of the 
150 day period, extend the time for action or may institute a 
proceeding to afford parties an opportunity for written comments and 
for oral presentation of views, data and arguments. Any person desiring 
to participate in this rate proceeding must file a motion to intervene 
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedure. All motions must be filed with the Secretary of 
the Commission on or before January 26, 1998. The petition for rate 
approval is on file with the Commission and is available for public 
inspection.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-984 Filed 1-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M