[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6165-6166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2928]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-200-000]
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation; Notice of Application
February 2, 1998
Take notice that on January 26, 1998, National Fuel Gas Supply
Corporation (National Fuel) 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York
14203, filed an application in Docket No. CP98-200-000 pursuant to
Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and approval to
abandon certain pipeline facilities, all as more fully set forth in the
application on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
National Fuel states that its proposed abandonment is related to a
reroute (the Clarion Reroute) proposed by Independence Pipeline Company
in an amended application filed in Docket No. CP97-315-001. A portion
of the Clarion Reroute would follow National Fuel's existing right-of-
way between Eshbaugh and Lamont, Pennsylvania, a distance of
approximately 40 miles.
In its application, National Fuel requests authorization to abandon
approximately 30.57 miles of transmission pipeline (and in addition,
would abandon 26.03 miles of a non-jurisdictional gathering line) in
Clarion, Jefferson, and Elk Counties, Pennsylvania in order to provide
space for the proposed 36-inch Independence Pipeline. This would permit
the Independence Pipeline to be laid in the existing right-of-way,
alongside National Fuel's existing facilities. National Fuel states
that its proposed abandonment would reduce the amount of corridor
widening necessary to build the Independence Pipeline along this 40-
mile corridor, adding to the other advantages of the Clarion Reroute,
as described in Independence's amended application in Docket No. CP97-
315-001.
National Fuel states that the abandonment will require the
relocation of inlet piping at four regulator stations and three taps
and the addition of three jumpers, pursuant to Section 2.55(a) of the
Commission's regulations. An automation upgrade would also be performed
at National Fuel's Knox Compressor Station, pursuant to Section 2.55(a)
of the Commission's regulations.
National Fuel estimates that the cost of removing the pipelines to
be abandoned will be offset by the salvage value of these pipelines and
the cost of the above-described system modifications will be reimbursed
by Independence. These system modifications will cost approximately
$843,000.
National Fuel requests that the Commission issue an order approving
the abandonment contemporaneously with a Commission order issuing a
certificate to Independence in Docket No. CP97-315-001.
National Fuel states that the proposed abandonment and the
construction of the Independence Pipeline would not adversely affect
system operations or service to customers.
Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before
February 23, 1998, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426, a motion to intervene or a
protest in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules
of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the
Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests
filed with the Commission will be considered by it in determining the
appropriate action to taken but will not serve to make the protestants
parties to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that
protestors provide copies of their protests to the party or parties
directly involved. Any person wishing to become a party to a proceeding
or to participate as a party in any hearing therein must file a motion
to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules.
A person obtaining intervenor status will be placed on the service
list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive
copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by every one of the
intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing of any Commission
order and can petition for court review of any such order. However, an
intervenor must submit copies of comments or any other filing it makes
with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as
well as an original and 14 copies with the Commission.
A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have
comments considered. A person, instead, may submit two copies of
comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Commenters will be placed
on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of
environmental documents and will be able to participate in meetings
associated with the Commission's environmental review process.
Commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on
all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all
documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission and will
not have the right to seek rehearing or appeal the Commission's final
order to a federal court.
The Commission will consider all comments and concerns equally,
whether filed by commenters or those requesting intervenor status.
Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in
and subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be
held without further notice before the Commission or its designeee on
this application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time
required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter
finds that a grant of the
[[Page 6166]]
certificate is required by the public convenience and necessity. If a
motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or if the Commission on
its own motion believes that a formal hearing is required, further
notice of such hearing will be duly given.
Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised,
it will be unnecessary for National Fuel to appear or be represented at
the hearing.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-2928 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
