02-1729. National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation; Notice of Application

January 17, 2002.

Take notice that on January 11, 2002, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (National Fuel), 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York 14203, filed in Docket No. CP02-62-000 , an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for authorization to abandon certain pipeline facilities, located in McKean County, Pennsylvania, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “RIMS” link, select “Docket#” from the RIMS Menu and follow the instructions (call [phone] for assistance).

National Fuel proposes to abandon approximately 12,354 feet of 16-inch diameter steel pipeline, known as Line C-Maloney Farm, located in Bradford and Foster Townships, McKean County, Pennsylvania. National Fuel states that Line C-Maloney Farm was constructed and placed in service by their predecessor, United Natural Gas Company, in 1947. National Fuel proposes to abandon Line C-Maloney Farm due to the age and condition of the pipeline, and the cost to replace certain deteriorated sections of this pipeline. National Fuel asserts that Line C-Maloney Farm has not been utilized since 1987, but is still maintained in accordance with Department of Transportation Guidelines & Practices. National Fuel avers that in order to continue to meet Department of Transportation standards, Line C-Maloney Farm would require a cathodic protection upgrade at an estimated cost of $106,400.

National Fuel states that it would remove approximately 9,187 feet of 16-inch diameter pipeline, and would abandon approximately 3,167 feet of 16-inch diameter pipeline in place, due to its proximity to residences and areas of steep slopes. National Fuel declares that the abandonment project would begin at a point of interconnection with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation at Station T-No. 2593 and extend northwest terminating at the Pennsylvania-New York state line.

National Fuel indicates that since Line C-Maloney Farm has not been utilized since 1987, there will be no abandonment or decrease in service to any customers of National Fuel as a result of the proposed abandonment.

National Fuel states that the estimated cost to abandon the subject facilities is $40,000.

Any questions regarding this application should be directed to David W. Reitz, Assistant General Counsel, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York 14203, at [phone], or at [e-mail].

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before February 7, 2002, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene 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 NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party 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 all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

The Commission may issue a preliminary determination on non-environmental issues prior to the completion of its review of the environmental aspects of the project. This preliminary determination typically considers such issues as the need for the project and its economic effect on existing customers of the applicant, on other pipelines in the area, and on landowners and communities. For example, the Commission considers the extent to which the applicant may need to exercise eminent domain to obtain rights-of-way for the proposed project and balances that against the non-environmental benefits to be provided by the project. Therefore, if a person has comments on community and landowner impacts from this proposal, it is important either to file comments or to intervene as early in the process as possible.

Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under the “e-Filing” link.

If the Commission decides to set the application for a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the Commission will issue another notice describing that process. At the end of the Commission's review process, a final Commission order approving or denying a certificate will be issued.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,

Acting Secretary.