[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 204 (Monday, October 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 54345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26110]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP94-161-003]


Avoca Natural Gas Storage; Notice of Amendment

October 17, 1995.
    Take notice that on October 11, 1995, Avoca Natural Gas Storage 
(Avoca), One Bowdoin Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, filed in 
Docket No. CP94-161-003, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas 
Act, to amend the certificate of public convenience and necessity 
issued by the Commission on September 20, 1994 in Docket No. CP94-161-
000. Avoca seeks to make four modifications to its project design that 
will result in ``net positive environmental benefits,'' all as more 
fully set forth in the amendment which is on file with the Commission 
and open to public inspection.
    The first change is to use electric motors to replace the 
originally proposed five natural gas-fired engines to drive the 
compressors that allow the facility to withdraw and inject natural gas. 
This change will result in reduced noise and air emission levels.
    Second, Avoca now intends to withdraw water directly from the 
Cohocton River via a direct water intake system rather than the 
previously approved groundwater withdrawals. In connection with this 
change, Avoca requests that the year-round threshold level for the 
cessation of water withdrawals, based on the daily average flow of the 
Cohocton River, be reduced from 18.65 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 14 
cfs with direct river intake and 18.65 cfs with groundwater pumping.\1\

    \1\ The issue of the proper threshold level is currently before 
the Commission on rehearing. Avoca states that if its alternative is 
approved, it will withdraw its request for rehearing.
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    Third, Avoca states that engineering constraints, due to customer 
needs and lender requirements, necessitate the construction of six 
storage caverns rather than five storage caverns. The six storage 
caverns would have the same total working capacity, 5.0 Bcf, that was 
approved with five storage caverns. The ``minimum build'' capacity of 
the six storage caverns would be made available in the following 
phases: Phase I--1.4 Bcf in October 1997; Phase II--1.6 Bcf in October 
1998; and Phase III--1.4 Bcf in October 1999.
    The final change requested by Avoca is to install a triple-header 
interconnecting pipe rather than the previously-proposed single-header. 
Avoca states that this installation will enable a market center to 
develop and result in less environmental impact, since future 
interconnections would not disrupt surface and soil environments.
    Avoca asserts that the requested changes be approved by December 
29, 1995, in order that full construction of the project begin by 
January 1, 1996.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said amendment should on or before October 24, 1995, 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.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to 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 amendment 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 Avoca to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary
[FR Doc. 95-26110 Filed 10-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M