[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18338-18339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9608]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, CP97-320-000, and CP97-321-000]
Independence Pipeline Company; Notice of Application
April 9, 1997.
Take notice that on March 31, 1997, Independence Pipeline Company
(Independence), 500 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, filed
in Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, CP97-320-000, and CP97-321-000 an
application pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Parts
284 and 157 of the Commission's regulations for a certificate of public
convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate natural gas
pipeline facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, to
provide open-access firm and interruptible transportation service
through such facilities and to engage in certain routine activities,
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with
the Commission and open to public inspection.
Independence states that it is a new company which seeks
authorization to construct and operate a new large-diameter interstate
pipeline to transport gas from western Ohio to central Pennsylvania.
Independence is a partnership whose two general partners are ANR
Independence Pipeline Company and Transco Independence Pipeline
Company, affiliates of ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) and Transcontinental
Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), respectively. It is indicated that
the purpose of the project is to provide access to eastern markets for
gas supplies from Canada and the western United States which will be
transported to the Chicago area via several proposed pipeline projects.
It is anticipated that transportation from the Chicago area to western
terminus of the Independence pipeline will be provided on ANR's system.
It is explained that ANR has filed a companion application in Docket
No. CP97-319-000 to expand portions of its existing system between
Chicago and western Ohio.
In Docket No. CP97-315-000, Independence requests authority to
construct and operate approximately 370 miles of 36-inch diameter
pipeline extending from an interconnection with ANR near Defiance,
Defiance County, Ohio to an interconnection with Transco's Leidy system
at Leidy, Clinton County, Pennsylvania. The project will also include
two 30,000 HP compressor stations located in Defiance
[[Page 18339]]
County, Ohio and Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Independence states it
will be an open access pipeline. Independence's facilities are designed
to provide a capacity of 943,300 Mcf per day (Mcfd) during the winter
season and 838,000 Mcfd during the summer season. Independence
estimates that the project will cost $629.6 million and intends to use
project financing to fund the project.
Independence proposes to use cost based rates. It anticipates an
underlying capital structure consisting of 70 percent debt and 30
percent equity and intends to use the straight fixed variable
methodology for cost classification, allocation, and rate design.
Independence requests a preliminary determination by November 1,
1997, and a final certificate by July 1, 1998, in order to meet a
target in-service date of November 1, 1999.
Independence is conducting an open season from April 2, 1997
through May 30, 1997 to solicit market interest in the project.
Independence intends to make the proposed expansion capacity available
on a non-discriminatory basis to any shipper that has executed a
transportation service agreement with Independence.
ANR has submitted a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the
subject project and the companion ANR expansion project in Docket No.
CP97-319-000 to hire a third-party contractor to assist staff in the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
With the exception of the RFP process, which may proceed, the
Commission staff will defer all other processing of Independence's
application until Independence advises the Commission of the results of
the open season and demonstrates contract commitments in support of the
project.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before April 30, 1997, file
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 385.214 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 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 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 designee 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 approval for the proposed application 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 Independence to appear or be represented at
the hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-9608 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
