97-12829. Pontchartrain Natural Gas System; Notice of Petition for Rate Approval

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27019-27020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12829]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PR97-4-000]


Pontchartrain Natural Gas System; Notice of Petition for Rate 
Approval

May 12, 1997.
    Take notice that on February 7, 1997, Pontchartrain Natural Gas 
System (Pontchartrain) 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, market-based rates for 
storage services performed under

[[Page 27020]]

section 311(a)(2) of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA).
    Pontchartrain states that it is a Hinshaw Pipeline that operates 
wholly within the State of Louisiana and that it was issued a blanket 
certificate under section 284.224 on August 13, 1985. Pontchartrain 
provides storage service from a salt dome storage cavern it operates 
near Napoleonville, Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Pontchartrain states 
that the cavern is being leased from Shell Oil Company under a long 
term lease. Pontchartrain states that it currently provides Section 311 
storage service to Shell Gas Services Company (Shell) under a contract 
that became effective November 9, 1992 and will terminate in 2012. 
Pontchartrain states that Shell is its only Section 311 storage 
customer and no other capacity is available for Section 311 service as 
all remaining capacity is used to serve intrastate customers.
    Pursuant to section 284.123(b)(2)(ii), if the Commission does not 
act within 150 days of the filing date, the market-based negotiated 
rates for storage services will be deemed to be fair and equitable and 
not in excess of an amount which interstate pipelines would be 
permitted to charge for similar service. The Commission may, prior to 
the expiration of the 150-day period, extend the time for action or 
institute a proceeding to afford parties an opportunity for written 
comments and for the 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 Sections 385.211 and 
385.214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures. All 
motions must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission on or before 
May 27, 1997. The petition for rate approval in on file with the 
Commission and is available for public inspection.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-12829 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M