[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 6767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3559]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. EL97-25-000]


NorAm Energy Services, Inc.; Notice of Issuance of Order 
Initiating Jurisdictional Inquiry

February 7, 1997.
    On February 5, 1997, the Commission issued an order initiating a 
jurisdictional inquiry concerning the planned merger of NorAm Energy 
Corporation, the parent company of NorAm Energy Services, Inc. (NorAm), 
a public utility, with Houston Industries, Incorporated, an exempt 
public utility holding company, and Houston Industries' subsidiaries, 
Houston Lighting & Power Company, an electric utility located in the 
Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and Houston Industries Energy, 
Inc., owner of various interests in foreign utilities, exempt wholesale 
generators, and a qualifying facility.\1\
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    \1\ NorAm Energy Services, Inc., 78 FERC para.61,111 (1997).
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    Because the planned merger may require Commission approval pursuant 
to section 203 of the Federal Power Act,\2\ the order directs NorAm to 
make a filing setting forth its views on the issue, and offers other 
interested persons an opportunity to comment on NorAm's filing. The 
order states that, in the alternative, NorAm may file an application 
for authorization pursuant to section 203.
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    \2\ 16 U.S.C. Sec. 824b.
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    The order directs NorAm to make said filing within 30 days of the 
issuance date of the order. If NorAm files a response arguing that 
authorization under section 203 is not required, interventions, 
protests, or comments are due 15 days after NorAm's filing. If NorAm 
files an application under section 203, interventions, protests, or 
comments will be due as specified by further notice.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-3559 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M