[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44611-44612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22382]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. SA98-101-000]
Continental Energy; Notice of Petition for Adjustment
August 14, 1998.
Take notice that on August 6, 1998, Russell Freeman (Freeman), d/b/
a Continental Energy (Continental), filed a petition pursuant to
section 502(c) of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, for relief from
making Kansas ad valorem tax refunds to Northern Natural Gas Company
(Northern), Williams Gas Pipelines Central, Inc., formerly: Williams
Natural Gas Company (Williams), and Colorado Interstate Gas Company
(CIG). Freeman adds that Amoco Production Company (Amoco) shows Freeman
and his working interest partners as owing an additional but
unspecified refund amount. Absent such relief, the refunds are required
by the Commission's September 10, 1997 order, in Docket No. RP97-369-
000 et al,\1\ on remand from the D.C. Circuit
[[Page 44612]]
Court of Appeals.\2\ The September 10 order directed First Sellers to
make Kansas ad valorem tax refunds, with interest, for the period from
1983 to 1988. Continental's petition is on file with the Commission and
open to public inspection.
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\1\ See 80 FERC para. 61,264 (1997); Order Denying Rehearing
issued January 28, 1998, 82 FERC para. 61,058 (1998).
\2\ Public Service Company of Colorado v. FERC, 91 F.3d 1478
(D.C. 1996), cert. denied, Nos. 96-954 and 96-1230 (65 U.S.L.W. 3751
and 3754, May 12, 1997).
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Freeman states that he is 64 years old, that his company
[Continental] was a small sole proprietorship, and that he understands
that he is not responsible for the refunds owed by other working
interest owners. Freeman states, however, that the principal he owes on
his own working interest share of the refunds claimed by Northern,
Williams and CIG is significant, amounting to nearly $100,000
($98,299.36 to Northern, $147.21 to Williams, and $522.93 to CIG).
Freeman also states that he only has a few wells left, and that
they are either losing money or barely breaking even. According to
Freeman, for the years 1995, 1996, and 1997, these wells generated a
total profit of just $9,269.36. Freeman adds that he hopes to draw
approximately $1,100 per month in Social Security in just over a year,
and he contends that paying the subject refunds would wipe-out his
retirement. Accordingly, Freeman requests to be relieved from making
the subject refunds on the grounds that to do so would cause him to
endure a special hardship.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said petition should on or before 15 days after the date
of publication in the Federal Register of this notice, 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, 385.211, 385.1105, and 385.1106). 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.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-22382 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
