[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25657-25658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12789]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP96-520-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Application

May 16, 1996.
    Take notice that on May 13, 1996, Columbia Gas Transmission 
Corporation (Columbia), 1700 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E., Charleston, West 
Virginia 25314-1599, filed in Docket No. CP96-520-000 an application 
pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for a certificate of 
public convenience and necessity pursuant to Section 157.7 of the 
Commission's regulations, as well as a temporary certificate pursuant 
to Section 157.17 of the Commission's regulations, authorizing the 
increase in compressor station horsepower, all as more fully set forth 
in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to 
public inspection.
    Columbia requests authorization to increase the horsepower at its 
Hellertown Compressor Station, located in Northampton County, 
Pennsylvania, from 917 to 1100 horsepower (hp) per unit, for a total of 
2200 hp, and incremental increase of 366 hp. It is stated that to 
accommodate the proposed increase in horsepower, Columbia must also 
replace the existing, appurtenant eight 8-inch diameter compressor 
cylinders with eight 8\1/2\-inch diameter compressor cylinders, and 
provide sound attenuation to ensure reliability of service to its 
customers.
    Columbia requests a temporary certificate to allow it to continue 
operation of its Hellertown Compressor Station at the higher horsepower 
level until the Commission issues a permanent certificate. It is stated 
that, due to a pipeline rupture on January 6, 1996, Columbia's Line 
1278 was repaired and the operating pressure was decreased from 1200 
psig to 1080 psig, pending remedial work to restore the operation 
integrity of the pipeline. Columbia contends that the decreased 
operating pressure created a shortage of

[[Page 25658]]

facility capacity to serve Columbia's customers in the New York area. 
According to Columbia, it became necessary to operate the Hellertown 
Compressor Station at the higher horsepower to ensure continued service 
to customers in the New York area on an emergency basis. Columbia 
states that it has operated in this mode since January 13, 1996, and 
that its extended terms for emergency service will expire on May 13, 
1996. Columbia estimates that the Line 1278 operating pressure will not 
be restored until November 1997, based on a remediation plan agreed to 
by Columbia, in consultation with the Department of Transportation. It 
is stated that Columbia must therefore continue supplementing 
deliveries to its New York customers through the Hellertown Compressor 
Station. Therefore, a temporary certificate is required to continue 
this level of service. Columbia states that the permanent certificate 
and subsequent appurtenant compressor facility upgrades will allow 
Columbia to better serve all of its customers over a wider operating 
range, thus enhancing the flexibility of providing service to its New 
York customers.
    Columbia states that it does not request authorization for any new 
or additional service. It is stated that the proposed horsepower 
increase is necessary to provide reliable service to all of Columbia's 
New York area customers. Columbia estimates the cost of the appurtenant 
facility upgrades at $860,000. It is stated that no additional costs 
are required to achieve the 1100 hp rating per unit, since each unit 
was derated originally.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before May 28, 1996, 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 
with further notice before the Commission or its designee on this 
application 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 Columbia to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12789 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M