[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48940-48943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23764]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP95-194-003, et al.]


Northern Border Pipeline Company, et al.; Natural Gas Certificate 
Filings

September 10, 1996.
    Take notice that the following filings have been made with the 
Commission:

1. Northern Border Pipeline Company

[Docket No. CP95-194-003]

    Take notice that on September 4, 1996, Northern Border Pipeline 
Company (Northern Border), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 
68124, filed in Docket No. CP95-194-003, an amendment to its pending 
applications in Docket Nos. CP95-194-000 and CP95-194-001 for a 
certificate of public convenience and necessity, pursuant to Sections 
7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's 
regulations. In this amendment, Northern Border seeks (1) to amend its 
filings to modify the proposed facilities; (2) to abandon certain 
compression facilities; and (3) to operate facilities at an early date 
and to continue the accrual of allowance for funds used during 
construction (AFUDC) on such facilities until the in-service date of 
the project, all as more fully set forth in the amendment which is on 
file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Specifically, Northern Border seeks to: (1) abandon the existing 
20,000 horsepower (HP) gas turbines at Compressor Station Nos. 6, 8, 9, 
10, and 13; (2) install and operate 35,000 HP gas turbines at 
Compressor Station Nos. 6, 8, 9, 10, and 13; (3) install and operate a 
35,000 HP gas turbine and cooling unit at Compressor Station Site No. 
1; (4) install and operate a 6,500 HP electric drive compressor at 
Compressor Station Site No. 14; (5) install and operate a 12,000 HP 
electric drive compressor at Compressor Station Site No. 17; and (6) 
relocate the delivery point to ANR Pipeline Company. The projected in-
service date for the project is November

[[Page 48941]]

1, 1998. The revised projected cost estimate is $792.6 million.
    Northern Border states that the reconfiguration of the compression 
on its 42-inch mainline allows for the elimination of the two 42-inch 
pipeline loops proposed in Docket No. CP95-194-001, reduces total 
emission of NOX, and reduces the overall environmental impact of 
the project. Northern Border also states that the reconfiguration of 
the compression on the 42-inch mainline reduces the compressor fuel on 
the existing system be 7,500 Mcf per day, saving approximately $5 
million per year. Northern Border asserts that the proposed changes do 
not affect the cost comparison under the Commission's Policy Statement 
and do not otherwise affect the findings in the Commission's 
preliminary determination on non-environmental issues, issued August 1, 
1996 (76 FERC para. 61,141 (1996)).
    Northern Border intends to retrofit the existing 20,000 HP 
compressor units at Compressor Station Nos. 6, 8, 9, 10, and 13 to 
35,000 HP compressor units. Northern Border intends to sequentially 
retrofit the various compressor units to avoid interruption of service 
to its existing customers. In order to maintain deliveries to firm 
shippers while the compressor units are being retrofitted, Northern 
Border will construct certain new compressor stations and operate them 
while the retrofitting is being completed.
    Northern Border states that in order to facilitate safe 
construction of the 36-inch pipeline loop and to avoid interruption of 
service to existing firm shippers, it requests authority to place the 
loop in operation approximately 45 days prior to the in-service date of 
the project. Northern Border states that during this period the 
existing 30-inch mainline will be temporarily removed from service 
while the mainline valve setting cross-overs and launcher/receiver tie-
ins are completed.
    In connection with the retrofitting of the compressor stations and 
the ``tie-over'' of the 30-inch pipeline, Northern Border requests a 
waiver of the accounting regulations such that it may continue the 
accrual of AFUDC until the in-service date of the project.
    Comment date: October 1, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

2. Northern Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP96-759-000]

    Take notice that, on September 3, 1996, Northern Natural Gas 
Company (Northern Natural), 1111 South 103rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 
68124-1000, filed a request pursuant to its September 1, 1982 blanket 
certificate (in Docket No. CP82-401-000) and Secs. 157.205 and 157.212 
of the Commission's Regulations, for authorization to install and 
operate three new master meters in Polk and LaCrosse Counties, 
Wisconsin, so as to provide central measurement points for Wisconsin 
Gas Company (WGC) on the Tomah and Ladysmith Branchlines, all as more 
fully set forth in the request, which is on file with the Commission 
and open to public inspection.
    Northern Natural estimates that the three new master meters will 
cost approximately $596,000. Northern Natural proposes to locate the 
new master meters as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Proposed location of  delivery 
                 Meter                                point             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Tomah..............................  NW/4 of Section 33, T17N, R6W   
                                         LaCrosse County, Wisconsin.    
2. Frederic...........................  NE/4 of Section 26, T32N, R19W  
                                         Polk County, Wisconsin.        
3. Ladysmith..........................  NE/4 of Section 26, T32N, R18W  
                                         Polk County, Wisconsin.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Northern Natural states that WGC requested the new master meters in 
order to provide central measurement points on the Tomah and Ladysmith 
branchlines, for deliveries under Northern Natural's currently 
effective throughput service agreements. Northern Natural adds that the 
end-use of the volumes to be delivered to WGC at the proposed meters 
will be residential, commercial and/or industrial, and that the 
estimated peak-day and annual volumes to be delivered to WGC at the new 
meters (shown below) will not change and will continue to be made 
pursuant to Northern Natural's currently effective throughput service 
agreements with WGC.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Present (in MMBtu)        Proposed (in MMBtu)  
                            Meter                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Peak-day      Annual      Peak-day      Annual  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tomah.......................................................       11,116    1,622,936       11,116    1,622,936
Frederic....................................................       18,643    2,721,878       18,643    2,721,878
Ladysmith...................................................        5,113      746,498        5,113      746,498
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Northern Natural further states that the total volumes to be 
delivered to WGC after the request will not exceed the total volumes 
authorized prior to the request, that the proposed activity is not 
prohibited by its tariff, and that it has sufficient capacity to 
accommodate the changes proposed without detriment or disadvantage to 
its other customers.
    Comment date: October 25, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

3. Williams Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP96-762-000]

    Take notice that on September 4, 1996, Williams Natural Gas Company 
(WNG), P.O. Box 3288, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101, filed in Docket No. CP96-
762-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205, 157.212(a), and 
157.216(b) of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act 
(18 CFR 157.205, 157.212, and 157.216) for authorization to replace and 
relocate the Missouri Public Service (MPS) Sedalia town border setting, 
under WNG's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-479-000, 
pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set 
forth in the request that is on file with the Commission and open to 
public inspection.
    Specifically, WNG proposes to reclaim the Sedalia double run, 10-
inch orifice meter setting and appurtenant facilities located in 
Section 34, Township 46 North, Range 22 West, Pettis County, Missouri, 
and to install a new triple 6-inch run orifice meter setting and 
appurtenant facilities at the site of WNG's mainline gate in Section 
35, Township 46 North, Range 23 West, Pettis County, Missouri. WNG 
states that the Sedalia town border meter setting was originally 
installed in 1931 and replaced in 1969. WNG estimates the cost to 
replace the Sedalia town border setting to be $175,886 which will be 
fully reimbursed by MPS. WNG explains that the installation of the new 
meter setting will provide for more accurate measurement at differing 
volumes and allow for the future abandonment of pipeline downstream of 
the new setting. WNG states that MPS has indicated an interest in 
acquiring

[[Page 48942]]

the approximately six miles of 12-inch pipeline between the old and the 
new setting, noting however, that an agreement has not yet been 
reached. WNG indicates that it does not anticipate that the delivered 
volume will change with the installation of the replacement town border 
facilities, stating that as a result, the total volume to be delivered 
under the authorization requested will not exceed the total volume 
authorized prior to this request.
    Comment date: October 25, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

4. Texas Gas Transmission Company

[Docket No. CP96-763-000]

    Take notice that on September 4, 1996, Texas Gas Transmission 
Company (Texas Gas), P.O. Box 20008, Owensboro, Kentucky 42304, filed 
in Docket No. CP96-763-000 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 157.212) for authorization to construct and operate new 
delivery point facilities in Switzerland County, Indiana, to 
accommodate deliveries of natural gas to Indiana Gas Company (IGC), a 
local distribution company and an existing customer, under Texas Gas' 
blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-407-000 pursuant to 
Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the 
request that is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Texas Gas requests authorization to construct and operate 
facilities consisting of a dual 4-inch meter station and appurtenant 
facilities, to be located on Main Line System in Switzerland County. 
The cost of the facilities is estimated at $182,800. It is stated that 
IGC will reimburse Southern for the construction cost. Texas Gas states 
that it transports gas for IGC under an FT-Zone 4 Agreement as well as 
under a firm no-notice agreement. It is asserted that the proposed 
facilities will provide a second delivery point for Texas Gas to serve 
IGC. It is asserted that Texas Gas has the capability to accomplish the 
deliveries proposed without detriment or disadvantage to its other 
customers. It is further asserted that the deliveries at the proposed 
facilities will have no adverse effect on Texas Gas' peak day or annual 
deliveries.
    Comment date: October 25, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

5. Williams Natural Gas Company

[Docket No. CP96-764-000]

    Take notice that on September 4, 1996, Williams Natural Gas Company 
(WNG), P. O. Box 3288, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and KN Interstate Gas 
Transmission Co. (KNI), P.O. Box 281304, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, 
filed in Docket No. CP96-764-000, an abbreviated joint application 
pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, as amended, and part 157 
of the Commission's Regulations, requesting issuance of a Commission 
order authorizing WNG and KNI to abandon an existing exchange 
agreement, and upon approval of the abandonment, authorization to 
cancel WNG's Rate Schedule X-10 and KNI's Rate Schedule X-5, all as 
more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the 
Commission and open to public inspection.
    WNG and KNI have mutually agreed to terminate the agreement 
pursuant to the terms of the agreement dated March 27, 1970, which was 
originally authorized on July 22, 1970, in Docket Nos. CP70-258 (WNG) 
and CP70-239 (KNI).
    The agreement provided that, commencing January 1, 1971, KNI would 
deliver to WNG a volume of gas equivalent to 50,000 Dth per day with 
the option to increase the delivery up to a maximum volume equivalent 
to 150,000 Dth per day. WNG agreed to deliver to KNI beginning January 
1, 1971, at an approximately equivalent daily rate, volumes of gas 
equivalent as nearly as possible to the volumes delivered during the 
same period to WNG by KNI, at the outlet of the Hugoton compressor 
station; provided, however that any imbalance would be carried forward 
to the succeeding month.
    The term of the agreement was for a period of twenty (20) years and 
from year to year thereafter unless terminated by either party by 
written notice given one year prior to the expiration of the primary 
term, or any anniversary thereafter. If the agreement was terminated, 
deliveries and receipts would continue for as long as necessary to 
eliminate any imbalance. WNG and KNI agreed to terminate the agreement 
effective October 1, 1993, and all imbalances were resolved in May 
1996.
    There will be no abandonment or modification of existing 
facilities. The facilities utilized in the referenced exchange 
agreement will remain in place.
    Comment date: October 1, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph F at the end of this notice.

6. Pacific Gas Transmission Company

[Docket No. CP96-765-000]

    Take notice that on September 4, 1996, Pacific Gas Transmission 
Company (PGT), 2100 Southwest River Parkway, Portland, Oregon, filed in 
Docket No. CP96-765-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205 and 
157.211 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act for 
authorization to construct and operate a new tap near the terminus of 
PGT's Coyote Springs Extension in Morrow County, Oregon, for delivery 
of gas to Logan International, Inc. (Logan), under its blanket 
certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-530-000, 1 all as more fully 
set forth in the request for authorization on file with the Commission 
and open for public inspection.
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    \1\ See, 21 FERC para. 62,237 (1982).
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    To meet Logan's request, PGT proposes to install a tap at PGT's 
existing Coyote Springs Meter Station to provide Logan with a supply of 
natural gas for use in its food processing plant located immediately 
adjacent to PGT's Coyote Springs Extension. PGT will provide service 
through an existing but unused tap within its Coyote Springs Meter 
Station. PGT states the installation itself will consist simply in a 
change in the valves of the existing tap.
    PGT states that the tap will deliver up to 1,115 Mcf per day under 
its Rate Schedules FTS-1 and/or ITS-1. PGT holds a blanket 
transportation certificate pursuant to Part 284 of the Commission's 
Regulations issued in Docket No. CP90-1031-000.2 PGT states that 
the proposed tap will have no impact on PGT's peak day or annual 
deliveries.
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    \2\ See, 52 FERC para. 62,075 (1990).
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    Comment date: October 25, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G at the end of this notice.

7. Trunkline Gas Company

[Docket No. CP96-767-000]

    Take notice that on September 5, 1996, Trunkline Gas Company 
(Trunkline), P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77251-1642, filed in Docket 
No. CP96-767-000 a request pursuant to Sections 157.205, 157.211 and 
157.216 of the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 
CFR 157.205, 157.211 and 157.216) for authorization to upgrade the Town 
of Somerville (Somerville) M&R Station, an existing delivery point 
located in Fayette County, Tennessee, under Trunkline's blanket 
certificate issued in Docket No. CP83-84-000 pursuant to Section 7 of

[[Page 48943]]

the Natural Gas Act, all as more fully set forth in the request that is 
on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Trunkline proposes to upgrade the existing Somerville delivery 
meter (DP #80073, 87A-111) by replacing inefficient, undersized 
facilities with more efficient upgraded facilities so as to allow 
increased deliveries to be made at this delivery point. Trunkline 
states that based on discussions with Somerville, their area of 
distribution is growing considerably and that the upgraded facilities 
will ensure the ability of Trunkline to accommodate the anticipated 
increased growth.
    Trunkline states the proposed project will consist of 1) removing 
and retiring two existing 2-inch turbine meters at milepost 393.18, 
downstream of Valve Section #87 in Fayette County, Tennessee, and 2) 
installing one 4-inch turbine meter and 2-inch bypass piping. Trunkline 
states that as a result of these proposed modifications, the maximum 
design capacity of the Somerville delivery point will increase from 
approximately 2.7 MMcf per day to approximately 7.1 MMcf per day at an 
operating pressure of 225 psig.
    Trunkline states that the proposed upgrade of the Somerville 
delivery point will not increase the existing firm entitlements of 
Somerville at this time. Trunkline states that its transportation 
service to Somerville is provided pursuant to Rate Schedule SST (Small 
Shipper Transportation) and Section 284.223(a) of the Commission's 
Regulations.
    The estimated cost to upgrade the existing facilities described 
herein is $22,400.
    Comment date: October 25, 1996, in accordance with Standard 
Paragraph G 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. 96-23764 Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P