[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 12069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7086]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. OR96-11-000]


Express Pipeline Partnership; Notice of Petition for Declaratory 
Order and Request for Waiver

March 19, 1996.
    Take notice that on March 8, 1996, Express Pipeline Partnership 
(Express), pursuant to Rules 207(a)(2) and 212 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 387.207(a) and 212, filed a 
request for declaratory order and certain waivers of the Commission's 
regulations.
    Express states that it is a general partnership formed by 
affiliates of Alberta Energy Company Ltd. (AEC) and TransCanada 
Pipelines Limited (TransCanada), proposing to construct and operate a 
new, 515 mile, 24 inch diameter, common carrier crude oil pipeline to 
transport Western Canadian crude in interstate commerce from the U.S./
Canadian international border near Wild Horse, Alberta through Montana 
to Casper, Wyoming. The U.S. pipeline will interconnect at the 
International Border with the Canadian pipeline (also owned by 
affiliates of AEC and TransCanada) which will originate at Hardisty, 
Alberta and run to the border. Express also states that it has acquired 
control of Platte Pipe Line Company, which extends from Bryon, Wyoming, 
through Casper to Wood River, Illinois, thus ensuring transportation 
service to Guernsey, Wyoming, and Wood River.
    Express states that its proposed new pipeline is a competitive 
response to meet the needs of U.S. crude oil markets and that a key 
component of the project is the ability to provide superior 
transportation service at rates that are competitive with other 
pipelines. In order to proceed with the project, Express required a 
reasonable level of up front support from prospective shippers in the 
form of contractual commitments from transportation service. Express 
conducted an open season and received commitments from prospective 
shippers for 5, 10, and 15 year terms representing approximately 85 
percent of the initial system capacity of 172,000 BPD. Express proposes 
to establish progressively lower rates for each class of term shippers 
in proportion to the length of the contractual commitment. Express is 
also proposing to offer service to the class of shippers that did not 
make contractual commitments, at a specified initial rate. Express also 
proposed specific surcharges for heavy and medium grades of crude oil 
and an agreed-to-adjustment mechanism for term shipper rates. Express 
claims that the proposed rates and waivers requested are lawful under 
the Interstate Commerce Act and relevant Commission regulations.
    Express requests that the Commission issue a declaratory order 
confirming the lawfulness of its proposal, and that it issue any 
appropriate waivers of the Commission's regulations.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest said filing should 
file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, D.C. 20426, in 
accordance with Section 385.214 [18 CFR 385.214] and Section 385.211 
[18 CFR 385.211] of the Commission's Rules and Regulations. All such 
motions or protests should be filed on or before April 8, 1996. 
Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants 
parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must 
file a motion to intervene. Copies of this filing are on file with the 
Commission and are available for public inspection in the public 
reference room.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-7086 Filed 3-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M