[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15169-15170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8072]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-809-002]
Maritime & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Amendment
March 25, 1997.
Take notice that on February 24, 1997, Maritimes & Northeast
Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes), c/o M&N Management Company, 1284 Soldiers
Field Road, Boston, MA 02135, a Delaware limited liability company,
filed in Docket No. CP96-809-002,\1\ an Amendment to its Application
for Phase II of its project (Phase II Amendment) pursuant to Section
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act. This amendment reflects the effect of the
Joint Facilities Application of Maritimes and Portland Natural Gas
Transmission System (PNGTS), initially filed with the Commission on
February 10, 1997, and completed on March 18, 1997, in Docket No. CP97-
238-000 (Joint Facilities Application),\2\ on Maritimes' September 23,
1996, Phase II Application, in Docket No. CP96-809-000.
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\1\ A supplemental filing which contained a revised Maritimes
pro forma tariff for 1998 service and 1999 service was filed on
November 1, 1996, and docketed as Docket No. CP96-809-001. This
supplement reflects the requirements of Order No. 587 (Gas Industry
Standards Board), and conforms the Phase II tariff to tariff changes
required by the July 31, 1996. Preliminary Deterination for Phase I.
It was not noticed at that time, but parties to this proceeding may
comment on it in conjunction with their comments on the amendment in
Docket No. CP96-809-002.
\2\ See Notice of Application for Docket No. CP97-238-000 issued
on March 21, 1997.
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The completion of the Joint Facilities Application, originally
filed February 10, 1997, was preceded by two public conference at the
Commission and four letters from the Office of Pipeline Regulation
(OPR) requesting the information required to complete the filing.
However, certain information which is needed to complete the processing
of the Joint Facilities Application remains to be filed.\3\ Complete
and accurate filing of that information on the schedule stated in the
joint applicants' March 18, 1997, filing is essential for the
expeditious processing of the Phase II applications.
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\3\ See the March 21, 1997, OPR Director's letter to the joint
applicants.
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The Joint Facilities Application requests authorization to
construct and operate approximately 99.8 miles of jointly-owned 30-inch
pipeline and appurtenant facilities to accommodate natural gas volumes
that would otherwise be transported through the same area by separate
pipeline facilities. The Joint Facilities Application proposes joint
facilities from Dracut, Massachusetts to Westbrook, Maine.
The Phase II Amendment addresses the effects of the Joint
Facilities
[[Page 15170]]
Application on the cost of facilities and rates, the tariff, and the
pipeline route set forth in the Phase II Application. The Phase II
Amendment adopts the 35-mile Wells to Westbrook, Maine segment of the
Joint Facilities, including two laterals (the Westbrook Lateral and the
Haverhill Lateral) and two meter stations as the proposed Phase II
Facilities. The 24-inch pipeline previously proposed in the Phase II
Application from Westbrook, Maine to the U.S.-Canada border for service
starting in 1999 is unchanged by the Phase II Amendment. Also unchanged
is Maritimes' proposal for a 1998 Phase II interim service which will
include service to the Westbrook Lateral and the Cousins Island
Lateral.
Maritimes states that its revised estimated cost is about $387
million. Originally, its Phase II cost estimate was $404 million. The
cost estimate revisions are based on an allocation of its share of the
Joint Facilities costs, and the revised estimated cost of its own
facilities from Westbrook to the U.S.-Canada border. The revised
estimate for the Westbrook to Canada segment is based on updated
facilities cost information (primarily lower estimates of labor
expenses), more environmental information and analysis, and pipeline
route changes. The cost for the 1998 facilities decreased from $63
million to $61.8 million, while the cost for the 1999 facilities
decreased from $340.9 million to $325.5 million.
The rates proposed by Maritimes have been revised to reflect
Maritimes' new cost estimates. The initial rate for Maritimes' 365-day
firm transportation for Phase II service from Canada starting in 1999
is now $15.0858 per MMBtu; previously it was $15.7551 per MMBtu.\4\ The
calculation of the revised rates and charges is included in Exhibit P
to the Phase II Amendment.
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\4\ Maritimes proposes that the 1998 interim Phase II service
will be at negotiated rates.
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Maritimes states that minor tariff changes may be needed to
coordinate matters such as measurement or quality specifications with
PNGTS. To the extent necessary, such changes would be filed with the
Commission. Other than the changes to the proposed rates, the proposed
tariff, including rate schedules, and general terms and conditions
remains unchanged from the supplemental tariff filing in Docket No.
CP96-809-001.
Maritimes requests that the Commission issue a Preliminary
Determination on Phase II by May 31, 1997, and a final certificate for
Phase II by December 17, 1997.5
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\5\ The data response filed by Maritimes on March 20, 1997,
citing the December 17, 1997, date is taken to be a further
amendment of Maritimes' February 24, 1997, filing wherein August 31,
1997, was cited as the date that a final certificate was required.
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Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said Amendment, or the supplemental tariff filing in
Docket No. CP96-809-001, should, on or before April 15, 1997, file with
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene or a protest in accordance
with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 or 385.214) 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 be taken
but will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceeding.
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. Take further
notice that pursuant to the authority contained in and subject to the
jurisdiction conferred upon the 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 designee on this Amendment if no petition 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 Amendment is required by the
public convenience and necessity. If a petition 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 procedures herein provided for, unless otherwise advised,
it will be unnecessary for Maritimes to appear or be represented at the
hearing. Anyone who has already filed a motion to intervene in Docket
No. CP96-809-000 need not file a motion to intervene again with the
Commission.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-8072 Filed 3-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
