96-23154. Boston Gas Company and Secondary Market Transactions on Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines; Notice of Filing

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 47904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23154]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket Nos. RP96-373-000, RM96-14-001]


Boston Gas Company and Secondary Market Transactions on 
Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines; Notice of Filing

September 5, 1996.
    Take notice that on August 30, 1996, Boston Gas Company tendered 
for filing in Docket No. RM96-14-001 an application to participate in 
the Commission's Proposed Experimental Pilot Program to Relax the Price 
Cap for Secondary Market Transactions. Boston Gas is a local 
distribution company that serves approximately 40,000 commercial and 
industrial customers and 480,000 residential customers in the 
metropolitan Boston area. Its public utility activities are subject to 
regulation by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities 
(``MassDPU'').
    On May 17, 1996, Boston Gas on its own initiative filed proposed 
tariff sheets with the MassDPU to unbundle its firm transportation 
service and to withdraw entirely from the merchant business. Hearings 
on the proposal have concluded, and the MassDPU will act on the 
proposal no later than November 29, 1996. Boston Gas states that it is 
willing to accept contingent approval of its application subject to 
action taken by the MassDPU.
    Boston Gas submits that its unbundling proposal is consistent with 
the pilot program and that its phased departure from the merchant 
business will remove the potential to exercise market power within 
Boston Gas' service territory. Under Boston Gas' timetable, unbundled 
sales and transportation service will be available to all of its 
commercial and industrial customers effective December 1, 1996, and to 
all residential customers effective November 1, 1997. The proposal 
includes a capacity assignment program which will enable customers to 
choose their own marketers and permit these marketers to offer 
competitive prices for gas supply delivered to the Company's city-gate 
stations. Boston Gas states that thirteen gas marketers are currently 
competing for this business.
    Any person desiring to comment on or to protest Boston Gas's 
application should file a motion to intervene or protest with the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., 
Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214 and 
with the Commission's notice in Docket No. RM-96-14-001. All such 
motions or protests must be filed within 15 days and comply with the 
requirements in Section 154.210 of the Commission's Regulations. 
Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to make protestants a 
party to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file 
a motion to intervene. Copies of Boston Gas' application are on file 
with the Commission and are available for public inspection.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-23154 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M