[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 221 (Thursday, November 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58401-58402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29126]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-249-003]


Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Amendment

November 7, 1996.
    Take notice that on November 1, 1996, Portland Natural Gas 
Transmission System (PNGTS), 300 Friberg Parkway, Westborough, 
Massachusetts 01581-5039, filed in Docket No. CP96-249-003, an 
amendment to its pending application in Docket No. CP96-249-000 for a 
certificate of public convenience and necessity, pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the National Gas Act, to construct and operate pipeline 
facilities for the transportation of natural gas on a firm and 
interruptible basis, all as more fully set forth in the amendment which 
is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Specifically, PNGTS offers two proposals both of which have a 
proposed in-service date of November 1, 1998. PNGTS proposes in Case 
No. 1 to replace approximately 91 miles of its originally proposed 
route from the international border near Jay, Vermont to Shelburne, New 
Hampshire with approximately 73 miles of pipeline from the 
international border near Pittsburg, New Hampshire to Shelburne, New 
Hampshire. PNGTS also proposes to construct and operate three 
additional laterals: The Groveton Lateral (0.8 miles of 8-inch diameter 
pipeline), the Rumford-Jay Lateral (26.9 miles of 10-inch diameter 
pipeline and 16.6 miles of 8-inch diameter pipeline), and the Westbrook 
Lateral (3.9 miles of 8-inch diameter pipeline).\1\ Four new meter 
stations will be constructed in conjunction with the proposed new 
laterals. In sum, PNGTS proposes in Case No. 1 to construct 
approximately 224.1 miles of 20-inch diameter pipeline, four laterals, 
and seven metering stations with a capacity of 178,000 Mcf per day. The 
estimated cost of the facilities in Case No. 1 is $303,307,762.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Westbrook Lateral will replace the Falmouth Lateral (3.3 
miles of 12-inch pipeline) which was proposed in the original 
application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PNGTS states that it offers Case No. 2 in response to the 
Commission's July 31, 1996 preliminary determination in this proceeding 
to accomodate both PNGTS's volumes as well as the prospective 
deliveries of Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) under 
a joint venture arrangement. In Case No. 2, PNGTS proposes to construct 
along the same revised route and to construct the same laterals and 
metering stations as proposed in Case No. 1. However, in Case No. 2, 
PNGTS proposes to construct a 140.8 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline 
from the international border near Pittsburg, New Hampshire to 
Westbrook, Maine and 83.3 miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline from 
Westbrook to Haverhill, Massachusetts. PNGTS insists that the Case No. 
2 facilities can accomodate Sable Island gas supplies delivered through 
either the Trans-Quebec Maritime project or Maritimes Phase II. The 
estimated cost of the facilities in Case No. 2 is $361,412,682.
    PNGTS requests that both proposals be granted and that it will 
inform the Commission, prior to construction, whether it will construct 
Case No. 1 or Case No. 2.
    PNGTS proposes to offer firm transportation service (Rate Schedule 
FT) and interruptible transportation service (Rate Schedule IT) and 
intends to use negotiated rates for winter period or off-peak period 
services. PNGTS states that the rates will utilize a straight fixed-
variable rate design and are based on a winter-day design capacity of 
178,000 MMBtu per day. PNGTS states that its rates will be levelized 
for an initial twenty-year period with 80 percent of the cost recovered 
through depreciation during the levelization period. PNGTS has filed a 
pro forma fariff containing the terms and

[[Page 58402]]

conditions for its transportation services.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference of said application should on or before November 29, 1996, 
file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE, 
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 protest 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 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 PNGTS to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-29126 Field 11-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M