[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 154 (Thursday, August 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41399-41401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20220]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-639-000, et al.]


National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, et al.; Natural Gas 
Certificate Filings

July 31, 1996.
    Take notice that the following filings have been made with the 
Commission:

1. National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-639-000]

    Take notice that on July 15, 1996, National Fuel Gas Supply 
Corporation (National), 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York 14203 
filed in Docket No. CP96-639-000, a request pursuant to Sections 
157.205 and 157.211 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural 
Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205 and 157.211) for authorization to construct and 
operate a new sales tap that will render service to an existing firm 
transportation customer, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation 
(Distribution), and perform construction at and operate an existing 
sales tap that also serves Distribution, under National's blanket 
authorization issued in Docket No. CP83-4-000, pursuant to Section 7(c) 
of the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the request 
which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    National proposes to construct and operate a new sales tap in 
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, on National's Line S. National says the 
proposed annual quantity of gas at this sales tap is about 42,825 Mcf. 
National states that this tap will provide service to Distribution, 
pursuant to National's EFT Rate Schedule. National relates that the 
estimated cost of the sales tap will be about $1,500, for which 
National will be reimbursed by the end-user customer of Distribution, 
International Timber & Veneer L.C., whose need for gas created the need 
for this new sales tap.
    National also proposes to perform construction at and operate its 
Caledonia station, an existing sales tap in Livingston County, New 
York, to enable it to meet the pressure requirements at this 
interconnection with Distribution. National states it delivers gas to 
Distribution at the Caledonia station under National's EFT Rate 
Schedule. National explains that the proposed construction consists 
principally of replacing approximately 324 feet of 4-inch pipe and 
associated valving with approximately 324 feet of new coated 6-inch 
pipe running along the same path as the retired 4-inch pipe, allowing 
for a higher maximum operating pressure. National says it is also 
constructing some ``auxiliary installations'' pursuant to 18 CFR 
Section 2.55(b) (mostly an odorizer) at the Caledonia station. National 
states that the estimated annual quantity of gas at this sales tap will 
remain 5,300 Mcf per day but the potential deliverability of the 
station would be about 15,400 Mcf per day.
    National relates that the estimated cost of work at the sales tap 
will be about $70,000, for which National will be reimbursed by 
Distribution for $45,000.
    Comment date: September 16, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

2. Northwest Pipeline Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-650-000]

    Take notice that on July 22, 1996, Northwest Pipeline Corporation 
(Northwest), 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, filed in 
Docket No. CP96-650-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205 and 
157.211 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 
CFR 157.205 and 157.211) for authorization to construct and operate the 
new Sandy Meter Station to provide natural gas service to new 
distribution facilities of Northwest Natural Gas Company in Clackamas 
County, Oregon, all under Northwest's blanket certificate issued in 
Docket No. CP82-433-000, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas 
Act, all as more fully set forth in the request which is on file with 
the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Northwest states that the proposed Sandy Meter Station will consist 
of a four-inch tap, one four-inch turbine meter, four three-inch 
regulators in monitor configuration, relief valve, and appurtenances. 
Northwest says the new meter station will have a maximum design 
delivery capacity of approximately 9,015 Dth per day at a 400 psig 
delivery pressure.
    Northwest states that firm transportation service to the proposed 
meter station will be subject to Northwest's Rate Schedule TF-1; while 
interruptible service will be subject to Northwest's Rate Schedule TI-
1. Northwest reports that the total cost to construct the proposed 
meter station is estimated at approximately $560,000.
    Comment date: September 16, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

3. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-669-000]

    Take notice that on July 26, 1996, Columbia Gas Transmission 
Corporation (Columbia), a Delaware corporation, having its principal 
place of business at 1700 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E., Charleston, West 
Virginia 25314-1599, filed an abbreviated application pursuant to 
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for certificate authorization for 
the following:

    (1) To increase the certificated horsepower at the Greencastle 
Compressor Station located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania of an 
existing Solar Turbines, Inc. (Solar) Centaur unit from 3,300 to 
3,830 horsepower (an increase of 530 actual horsepower), resulting 
in 7,070 total station horsepower.
    (2) To increase the certificated horsepower at the Gettysburg 
Compressor Station located in Adams County, Pennsylvania of an 
existing Solar Centaur unit from 2,710 horsepower to 3,830 
horsepower (an increase of 1,120 horsepower reflecting both an 
actual change in horsepower and a change in rating standard from 
NEMA to ISO resulting in 7,500 total station horsepower.

    Both Greencastle and Gettysburg compressor stations are located on 
Lines 1804 and 10240, a portion of Columbia's transmission pipeline 
system which traverses southern Pennsylvania. The increased horsepower 
at Greencastle and Gettysburg is available in both Centaur units 
without any further modification to the engine or compressors. Columbia 
states that the horsepower increases proposed herein

[[Page 41400]]

will provide additional design and operating flexibility that will 
enhance Columbia's ability to serve its existing customers reliably and 
more efficiently at current firm levels. Any incremental firm capacity 
that may become available as a result of these horsepower increases, 
will be offered to prospective shippers in accordance with Columbia's 
tariff. Columbia estimates that additional capacity will be less than 
400 Dth/d west of Greencastle.
    The estimated expense to implement the operation of both units at 
the higher horsepower level is $57,400. These expenses will consist 
primarily of conducting pre- and post-uprating sound studies at both 
stations and installing additional sound attenuation devices at the 
Gettysburg compressor station. The costs will be charged to a 
maintenance transmission expense account.
    Comment date: August 16, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

4. National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-671-000]

    Take notice that on July 26, 1996, National Fuel Gas Supply 
Corporation (National Fuel), 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York 
14203, filed in Docket No. CP96-671-000 an application pursuant to 
Sections 7(b) and (c) of the Natural Gas Act for a certificate of 
public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and 
operation of facilities in order to create additional firm 
transportation capacity of 48,000 Dth per day from the Niagara import 
point to the interconnection between National Fuel and Transcontinental 
Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) at Leidy and Wharton, Pennsylvania, 
(1997 Niagara Expansion Project), and permission and approval to 
abandon certain facilities, all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    National Fuel states that as a result of an open season conducted 
between August and September 1995, National Fuel entered into 
agreements for firm transportation quantities of 21,344 Dth per day 
with Enron Capital & Trade Corp. (EC&T) and 23,000 Dth per day of 
winter-only service with Renaissance Energy (U.S.), Inc. (Renaissance). 
It is stated that the shippers plan to use the additional capacity on 
National Fuel's system in combination with additional capacity on 
Transco's system that has been proposed by Transco in its SeaBoard 
Expansion Project at Docket No. CP96-545-000. National Fuel states that 
it is currently soliciting service requests for the remaining 3,656 Dth 
per day of firm winter capacity. National Fuel further submits that the 
shippers have committed to firm transportation service for terms of ten 
years.
    It is stated that EC&T will receive firm transportation under 
National Fuel's Rate Schedule FT at existing rates. Renaissance has 
request firm transportation only during the winter period (November 1st 
through March 31st of each contract year), and the facilities designed 
by National Fuel for this shipper will create additional capacity that 
is available only during the winter period. With certain proposed 
tariff changes discussed in Section VIII of its application, National 
will contends that it will be in a position to render a winter-only 
firm transportation service under Rate Schedule FT. As discussed in 
Section VI of its application, National Fuel proposes a surcharge to 
its FT rates to make up the difference between the revenues generated 
by its maximum rates and the revenues needed over each winter period to 
cover the cost of service associated with the additional winter firm 
capacity.
    In order to provide the firm transportation services for the 1997 
Niagara Expansion shippers, National Fuel proposes to construct, 
install and operate the following facilities:

    1. Modifications to existing units 1-5 at National Fuel's 
Concord Compressor Station in Erie County, New York, to increase the 
horsepower (hp) of the station from 9,950 hp to 11,250 hp.
    2. Modifications to the existing Ellisburg Compressor Station in 
Potter County, Pennsylvania, including the abandonment of four 
compressor units (three 330 hp units and one 300 hp unit) used for 
storage and installation of one new 2,250 hp compressor.

    In addition, National Fuel proposes to increase the maximum 
allowable operating pressure of Lines X-North and XM-2 located in 
Niagara and Erie Counties, New York, from the authorized 720 psig to 
780 psig.
    National Fuel estimates that the proposed facilities will cost 
$10.6 million. It is stated that included in the cost of the project 
are the costs associated with uprating the Lockport Station, located on 
the jointly-owned Niagara Loop Line, which will be performed by 
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (Tennessee), its operator, pursuant to a 
separate filing.
    National Fuel requests that the Commission grant rolled-in rate 
treatment with respect to the costs and revenues associated with its 
1997 Niagara Expansion Project in its next Section 4 rate proceeding. 
National Fuel contends that if the FT surcharge is approved, and costs 
are allocated in the manner discussed in Section VII of its 
application, the project would not increase the rates of any of 
National Fuel's firm shippers and would decrease the rates of some of 
its shippers.
    In addition, National Fuel requests waiver of Section 3.2 of its 
Rate Schedule FT to the extent necessary to permit National Fuel to 
accept a guaranty from Renaissance's parent company, Renaissance Energy 
Ltd., to guarantee the obligations of Renaissance under the service 
agreement to be executed by National Fuel and Renaissance.
    National Fuel also requests a waiver of the provisions of its Rate 
Schedule FT to the extent necessary to permit National Fuel to enter 
into a service agreement with one of its prospective shippers, EC&T, 
which grants shippers a unilateral right to extend the term of the 
service agreement. National Fuel states that such a waiver is 
appropriate in view of the contractual relationship between EC&T and 
Transco.
    In its application, National Fuel also seeks waiver of its tariff 
to the extent necessary to include a mutual waiver of consequential, 
punitive and certain other damages, found in Article VI(10) of the form 
of service agreement between National Fuel and EC&T.
    National Fuel requests that the Commission issue an order granting 
the authorization requested herein on or before April 1, 1997 to allow 
for the commencement of the new services as scheduled on November 1, 
1997.
    Comment date: August 21, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

5. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation

[Docket No. CP96-680-000]

    Take notice that on July 30, 1996, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation (Transco), Post Office Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, 
filed an application in Docket No. CP96-680-000 pursuant to Section 
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for an order permitting and approving the 
abandonment of firm storage and exchange service provided to Mid 
Louisiana Gas Company (Mid Louisiana) under Transco's Rate Schedule X-
140, effective September 1, 1996, all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    It is stated that Transco and Mid Louisiana are parties to a firm 
storage and exchange agreement dated August 31, 1977, as amended, which 
agreement is Rate Schedule X-140 in Volume 2 of

[[Page 41401]]

Transco's FERC Gas Tariff. Transco states that such agreement was 
approved by Commission order issued July 14, 1977 in Docket No. CP77-
267, 59 FPC 672 (1977).
    Transco states that, pursuant to such agreement, it is authorized 
to receive, at special points of delivery, up to 25,500 Mcf/d and to 
inject thermally equivalent quantities into the Hester Field for Mid 
Louisiana's account and to withdraw up to 76,500 Mcf/d from the Hester 
Field and to deliver thermally equivalent quantities to Mid Louisiana 
at the specified points of delivery. Transco states that it was 
authorized to provide a firm storage service of 3,000,000 Mcf of gas 
annually.
    Transco states that the primary term of the storage and 
transportation agreement underlying Rate Schedule X-140 was set to 
expire on October 1, 1990, but that such term was extended by 
amendments dated August 31, 1990 and August 14, 1992. Transco states 
that it received notice from Mid Louisiana by letter dated September 1, 
1995 that it was terminating the storage and exchange service effective 
September 1, 1996. Transco further states that Mid Louisiana has a 
pending request, in Docket No. CP95-730-000 for Commission 
authorization to abandon the firm storage service it receives from 
Transco at the Hester Storage Field, to become effective September 1, 
1996. Transco states that the purpose of its application is to obtain 
Commission authorization to abandon its obligations to provide firm 
storage and transportation and exchange service to Mid Louisiana 
pursuant to Rate Schedule X-140, effective September 1, 1996.
    Transco also seeks Commission approval, to the extent necessary, to 
retain the storage capacity and associated injection and withdrawal 
rights in the Hester Field which are currently held by Mid Louisiana 
and for which abandonment authorization is sought herein. Transco 
states that since the implementation of Order No. 636 on the Transco 
system, it has relied extensively on Mid Louisiana's injection and 
withdrawal rights at the Hester Field as a tool for system balancing as 
permitted by the Rate Schedule X-140 agreement. It is stated that 
Exhibit Z-1 of the application illustrates Transco's use of Mid 
Louisiana's injection and withdrawal rights in the Hester Storage Field 
or the annual periods commencing January 1993 through May 1996.
    Transco states that no facilities are proposed to be abandoned by 
the instant application and that no service to any of Transco's other 
customers will be terminated because of the requested abandonment. In 
addition, Transco states that the proposed abandonment will have no 
effect upon any of Transco's other existing rate schedules or tariffs 
on file with the Commission.
    Comment date: August 21, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

Standard Paragraphs

    F. Any person desiring to be heard or make any protest with 
reference to said filing should on or before the comment date file with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., 
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 385.211 and 385.214) 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 filing 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 the applicant to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
    G. Any person or the Commission's staff may, within 45 days after 
the issuance of the instant notice by the Commission, file pursuant to 
Rule 214 of the Commission's Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion 
to intervene or notice of intervention and pursuant to Section 157.205 
of the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205) a protest 
to the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed 
therefore, the proposed activity shall be deemed to be authorized 
effective the day after the time allowed for filing a protest. If a 
protest is filed and not withdrawn within 30 days after the time 
allowed for filing a protest, the instant request shall be treated as 
an application for authorization pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural 
Gas Act.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-20220 Filed 8-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P