[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65035-65036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31296]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. RP97-149-000]


Gas Research Institute; Notice of Petition for Approval of Post-
1997 Funding Mechanism

December 4, 1996.
    Take notice that on December 2, 1996, Gas Research Institute (GRI) 
filed a petition requesting approval of a post-1997 funding mechanism 
for the purpose of funding its Research and Development (R&D) Program 
in 1998 and 1999.
    GRI states that its filing is made in compliance with the 
Commission's directive that it must file by March 1, 1997 a proposed 
funding mechanism for post-1997 use.
    The proposed funding mechanism involves the assessment of two 
separate surcharges:
     a Discountable Commodity Surcharge to Pipeline Shippers; 
and
     a Discountable Volumetric Interstate Delivery Charge to 
Local Distribution Companies and Intrastate Pipelines.
    According to GRI, the Discountable Commodity Surcharge to Pipeline 
Shippers, which would still be subject to the ``discount GRI first'' 
rule, would be charged to shippers whenever associated commodity 
charges and one-part rates are at or above maximum stated tariff rate 
levels, including service provided at negotiated rates. GRI proposes 
that this surcharge be assessed on interstate transportation services 
(including storage) rendered by GRI's interstate pipeline members.
    The revenue generated from the assessment of this surcharge would 
go to fund the ``Pipeline and Producer Subprogram'', which consists 
primarily of R&D on supply, transmission, and related environment and 
safety, plus an appropriate share of Administrative and General (A&G) 
expenses.
    GRI states that the Discountable Volumetric Interstate Delivery 
Charge to Local Distribution Companies and Intrastate Pipelines would 
be a volumetric interstate delivery charge assessed on a monthly basis 
to local distribution companies (LDC's) and intrastate pipelines to 
fund R&D which would be of particular interest to LDC's, intrastate 
pipelines, and customers behind the city gate. This surcharge would be 
discountable only to a ``floor'' that is established for each LDC and 
intrastate pipeline.
    The revenue generated from this surcharge would be used to fund the 
``LDC Subprogram'', which consists primarily of R&D on distribution, 
end use, environment and safety, plus an appropriate share of A&G 
expenses.
    GRI proposes to maintain separate collection accounts for revenue 
generated for each subprogram, so that any amounts in excess of a 
particular subprogram's current year R&D funding requirement could be 
applied to that subprogram's subsequent year R&D funding requirement.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest GRI's petition should 
file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission,

[[Page 65036]]

888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426, in accordance with 
Rules 214 and 212 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 
18 CFR 385.214 and 385.211. All protests, motions to intervene and 
comments should be filed on or before December 27, 1996. All comments 
and protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants 
parties to this proceeding. Copies of this petition are on file with 
the Commission and are available for public inspection.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-31296 Filed 12-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M