[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4925]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 157

[Docket No. RM81-19-000]


Project Cost and Annual Limits

Issued: February 27, 1996.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authority delegated by 18 CFR 375.307(e)(1), 
the Director of the Office of Pipeline Regulation computes and 
publishes the project cost and annual limits specified in Table I of 
Sec. 157.208(d) and Table II of Sec. 157.215(a) for each calendar year.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael J. McGehee, Division of Pipeline Certificates, OPR, (202) 208-
2257.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Order of the Director, OPR

    Section 157.208(d) of the Commission's Regulations provides for 
project cost limits applicable to construction, acquisition, operation 
and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities (Table I) authorized 
under the blanket certificate procedure (Order No. 234, 19 FERC para. 
61,216). Section 157.215(a) specifies the calendar year dollar limit 
which may be expended on underground storage testing and development 
(Table II) authorized under the blanket certificate. Section 157.208(d) 
requires that the ``limits specified in Tables I and II shall be 
adjusted each calendar year to reflect the `GNP implicit price 
deflator' published by the Department of Commerce for the previous 
calendar year.''
    Pursuant to Sec. 375.307(e)(1) of the Commission's Regulations, the 
authority for the publication of such cost limits, as adjusted for 
inflation, is delegated to the Director of the Office of Pipeline 
Regulation. The cost limits for calendar years 1982 through 1996, as 
published in Table I of Sec. 157.208(d) and Table II of 
Sec. 157.215(a), are hereby issued.
    Note that these inflation adjustments are based on the Gross 
Domestic Product (GDP) Implicit Price Deflator, and include the 
Commerce Department's estimated fourth quarter GDP Implicit Price 
Deflator rather than the annual GDP Implicit Price Deflator or Gross 
National Product (GNP) Implicit Price Deflator, which are not yet 
available for 1995. The Commerce Department advises that in recent 
years the annual change has been virtually the same for both indices. 
Further adjustments will be made, if necessary.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 157

    Natural Gas.
Kevin P. Madden,
Director, Office of Pipeline Regulation.
    Accordingly, 18 CFR Part 157 is amended as follows:

PART 157--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 157 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.


Sec. 157.208  [Amended]

    2. Table I in Sec. 157.208(d) is revised to read as follows:

                                 Table I                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limit          
                                             ---------------------------
                                                            Prior notice
                    Year                       Auto. proj.    pro. cost 
                                               cost limit    limit (col.
                                                (col. 1)         2)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982........................................    $4,200,000   $12,000,000
1983........................................     4,500,000    12,800,000
1984........................................     4,700,000    13,300,000
1985........................................     4,900,000    13,800,000
1986........................................     5,100,000    14,300,000
1987........................................     5,200,000    14,700,000
1988........................................     5,400,000    15,100,000
1989........................................     5,600,000    15,600,000
1990........................................     5,800,000    16,000,000
1991........................................     6,000,000    16,700,000
1992........................................     6,200,000    17,300,000
1993........................................     6,400,000    17,700,000
1994........................................     6,600,000    18,100,000
1995........................................     6,700,000    18,400,000
1996........................................     6,900,000    18,800,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 157.215  [Amended]

    3. Table II in Sec. 157.215(a) is revised to read as follows:

                                Table II                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Year                                 Limit   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982......................................................    $2,700,000
1983......................................................     2,900,000
1984......................................................     3,000,000
1985......................................................     3,100,000
1986......................................................     3,200,000
1987......................................................     3,300,000
1988......................................................     3,400,000
1989......................................................     3,500,000
1990......................................................     3,600,000
1991......................................................     3,800,000
1992......................................................     3,900,000
1993......................................................     4,000,000
1994......................................................     4,100,000
1995......................................................     4,200,000
1996......................................................     4,300,000
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[FR Doc. 96-4925 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M