[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 230 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 61549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29201]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. SA96-1-000]


Montana Power Company; Notice of Petition for Adjustment

November 24, 1995.
    Take notice that on October 31, 1995, Montana Power Company (MPC) 
filed a petition for adjustment pursuant to section 284.123(b)(1)(ii) 
of the Commission's regulations. MPC seeks to: (1) eliminate the rate 
petition filing requirement contained in Ordering Paragraph (d) of the 
Commission's August 3, 1995, order in Docket No. PR93-3-000, 72 FERC 
para. 61,164, and (2) waive the city-gate requirement contained in 
Section 284.123 (b)(1)(ii) of the Commission's regulations. Ordering 
Paragraph (d) requires MPC to file a rate petition under section 
284.123(b)(2) on or before November 1, 1995. MPC requests that its 
transportation rates be subject to regulation by the Montana Public 
Service Commission (Montana Commission) which MPC alleges has been 
approved by the FERC as an agency that regulates retail rates on a cost 
basis consistent with the comparable service requirement of section 
284.123(b)(1).
    MPC states that it has a general revenue requirement increase 
request pending before the Montana Commission filed on September 21, 
1995. MPC's filing requests a Gas Utility overall revenue requirement 
increase of $12 million and an interim revenue requirement increase of 
$4.4 million. MPC provided a table comparing its existing interstate 
rates with the proposed state-approved rates. MPC indicates that the 
proposed interim increase would be effective January 1, 1996, and would 
result in a 4.9% increase to its existing interstate transportation 
rate.
    MPC listed several reasons why it should be permitted to charge 
rates approved by the Montana Commission for all of its interstate 
services. MPC asserts that having its rates regulated solely by the 
Montana Commission would avoid costly and lengthy duplicative 
proceedings under section 284.123(b)(2) of the Commission's 
regulations. MPC contends that it would be able to address rate design 
and other changes uniformly for all shippers, without the duplication 
and/or potential disparate treatment that would exist if MPC continues 
to operate under both state and FERC cost of service procedures. MPC 
also alleges that section 284.123(b) of the Commission's regulations 
leaves to the pipeline the choice of whether to make an election under 
section 284.123(b)(2) or to seek a FERC-approved rate under section 
284.123(b)(1) of the Commission's regulations. MPC asserts that the 
streamlining of the regulatory filing process and avoidance of 
duplicative rate review is expected to reduce MPC's costs and allow it 
to become more competitive in the marketplace.
    The regulations applicable to this proceeding are found in Subpart 
K of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Any person 
desiring to participate in this rate proceeding must file a motion to 
intervene in accordance with sections 385.211 and 385.214 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures. All Motions must be 
filed with the Secretary of the Commission within 15 days after 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. The petition for 
adjustment is on file with the Commission and is available for public 
inspection.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-29201 Filed 11-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M