[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 60269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30251]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. RP97-82-000]


GPM Gas Corporation v. El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of 
Complaint

November 21, 1996.
    Take notice that on November 14, 1996, in accordance with Rules 
206, 209 and 212 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the 
Commission, 18 CFR 385.206, 385.209, and 385.212, GPM Gas Corporation 
(GPM) tendered for filing a complaint against El Paso Natural Gas 
Company (El Paso) and moves that the Commission issue an order to show 
cause why El Paso should not be ordered to cease and desist from 
violating the Commission's regulations, policies and orders.
    GPM contends El Paso is unduly favoring El Paso Field Services (El 
Paso's gathering/marketing affiliate) with respect to compression 
charges to access El Paso's mainline.
    GPM states that on September 13, 1995, in Docket No. CP94-183-000 
72 FERC para. 61,220 (1995) the Commission issued an order approving 
the abandonment by El Paso of certain gas gathering assets, which are 
now owned and operated by El Paso Field Services, El Paso's unregulated 
affiliate. El Paso did not, however, abandon its South Carlsbad 
compression station, which GPM argues has been an integral part of the 
gathering systems.
    GPM argues that El Paso requires GPM's (and others') gas to be 
delivered at about twice the pressure as gas delivered by El Paso Field 
Services, so that Field Services' costs of compression are much lower 
than GPM's. GPM claims that it is also assigned other South Carlsbad 
compression costs, because El Paso's transportation rates include some 
of the ``gathering'' compression costs that GPM argues should be 
properly allocated to Field Services.
    GPM asks that the Commission issue a show cause order to make El 
Paso show why it should not remove all South Carlsbad (and other) 
compression costs from its mainline transmission and fuel rates, and 
recover compression costs only from the gas that flows through the 
compression facilities. GPM also requests that the Commission convene 
an expedited technical conference or hearing, if appropriate, to 
determine any fact issues that may be in dispute.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest said complaint should 
file a motion to intervene or a protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426, 
in accordance with Rules 214 and 211 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedure 18 CFR 385.214, 385.211. All such motions or 
protests should be filed on or before December 13, 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. Answers to this complaint shall be 
due on or before December 13, 1996.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-30251 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M