[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48829-48830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24613]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-724-000]
NorAm Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Application
September 11, 1997.
Take notice that on September 3, 1997, NorAm Gas Transmission
Company (NGT) 1600 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002, filed in Docket
No. CP97-724-000 an application, pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of
the Natural Gas Act, for a certificate of public convenience and
necessity authorizing it to construct, modify, or abandon certain
pipeline and measurement facilities all as more fully set forth in the
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.
[[Page 48830]]
Specifically, NGT proposes to: (1) replace approximately 61.2 miles
of 20-inch dresser-coupled pipe with standard 20-inch dresser-coupled
pipe with standard 20-inch welded steel pipe, including a minor re-
route at NGT's Ruston Compressor Station (Ruston); (2) reclassify an
8.2 mile segment of Line F as a low pressure gas supply line; (3)
install minor yard and station piping at NGT's Buckley Compressor
Station; existing pipeline (NGT indicates that no service will be
interrupted or abandoned as a result of abandoning these taps); (6)
replace and relocate 36 active taps on Line F; (7) abandon 33 inactive
delivery tape; and (8) install minor yard and station piping at Ruston.
NGT estimates that the cost of the proposed project is approximately
$32.3 million.
NGT explains that because of the engineering advancements inherent
in modern 20-inch welded steel pipe, Line F will be able to operate at
a higher pressure resulting in increased capacity totaling 170,000
MMBtu per day. NGT states that it has entered into three precedent
agreements for transportation using Line F capacity that obligate
shippers to multi-year commitments totaling 115,000 MMBtu. NGT claims
that the discounted and negotiated rates bargained for between NGT and
the precedent agreement shippers are required to meet NGT's
competition.
NGT requests advanced determination under the Commission's pricing
policy statement that the cost of this project will qualify for rolled-
in rate treatment when NGT files its next Section 4 rate case. NGT
asserts that its proposed upgrade will provide specific system
benefits, such as increased system flexibility and improved
reliability, that are proportionate to or greater than the rate impact
of rolling-in the cost of the facilities. NGT states that it has
conducted an analysis that demonstrates that the impact of rolling-in
the Line F upgrade costs will be less than 5 percent.
Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before
October 2, 1997, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
Washington, D.C. 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 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 a grant of the certificate 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 NGT to appear to be represented at the
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-24613 Filed 9-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
