[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 106 (Thursday, June 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29858-29859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14023]
[[Page 29858]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP99-242-000]
Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.; Application
May 27, 1999.
Take notice that on March 8, 1999, as supplemented May 19, 1999,
Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company (Williston) 200 North Third
Street, Suite 300, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501, filed an application
pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for a certificate of
public convenience and necessity for authorization to install and
operate a leased gas compressor unit at the Billy Creek Compressor
Station, Johnson County, Wyoming to enable Williston to transport
natural gas to current and potential pipeline interconnection points,
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with
the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may be viewed
on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222
for assistance).
Specifically, Williston proposes to install and operate a 1,478
horsepower Waukesha Model L7042GSI V-12 engine coupled with an Ariel
JGK-4 compressor unit. Williston indicates that the compressor unit
lease rental for this compressor unit is $150,000 per year and the
compressor unit will be installed, operated, and maintained by
Williston personnel. Williston estimates the cost of the project to be
$298,321 excluding the $150,000 per year to lease the compressor unit.
Williston requests that the Commission grant rolled-in rate treatment
for the proposed facilities.
Williston claims that producers in the Powder River Basin have
undertaken extensive drilling programs for the production of coal seam
gas. Williston states that it believes the installation and operation
of the proposed leased compressor will enable Williston Basin's
existing pipeline capacity to be more fully utilized through increased
throughput, will allow producers and shippers an avenue to move Powder
River Basin coal seam gas production to pipelines interconnecting with
Williston Basin's system in the most economical and environmentally
sensitive manner, and will attract additional supply sources to its
isolated Billy Creek-Sheridan system.
Williston indicates that on February 5, 1999, Williston posted a
notice on its Electronic Bulletin Board and held an open season from
February 8, 1999, through February 22, 1999, to solicit interest from
shippers in utilizing the additional transportation capacity on the
Billy Creek-Sheridan line section which capacity will become available
as a result of the installation of the proposed leased compressor.
Williston states that as of the date of the filing of its application,
Williston has not consummated any definitive commitments for the
additional transportation capacity that will be available as a result
of the proposed compressor installation.
By letter filed May 19, 1999, Williston supplemented its
application, stating that it has consummated a precedent agreement for
some of the transportation capacity that will be available as a result
of the proposed compressor installation. Williston's filing included
copies of the precedent agreement which Williston requests be given
confidential treatment under 18 CFR 388.112 because it is competitively
sensitive. Williston marked the precedent agreement ``Contains
Privileged Information--Do Not Release''.
Williston states that while the precedent agreement may not
represent a commitment for a substantial amount of the project's
capacity and may not meet the Commission's threshold test for project
capacity commitment, there are several reasons why the Commission
should proceed with its review and processing of Williston's
application. Williston's first reason is the minor nature of the
project and the fact that it will have little economic or environmental
impact. Williston's second reason is the fact that the revenue
generated in the first year from the firm transportation contract to be
executed based on the precedent agreement is more that 77% of the
estimated first year cost of service. Williston next states that it
believes that the proposal will produce system benefits by more fully
utilizing its existing Bill Creek-Sheridan line section and by
increasing system reliability by attracting additional gas supply
sources to its pipeline system. Williston cites, as a fourth reason,
its belief that the transportation market in Billy Creek-Sheridan area
will continue to grow and generate additional firm and interruptible
transportation revenues fully recovering the incremental cost of
service associated with the project.
Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to
make any protest with reference to said amendment should on or before
June 17, 1999, 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 385.214 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.
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 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 section 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and
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 a
grant of the certificate is required by the public convenience and
necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or
[[Page 29859]]
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 Williston to appear or be represented at the
hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-14023 Filed 6-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
