[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15169-15170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8072]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-809-002]


Maritime & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Amendment

March 25, 1997.
    Take notice that on February 24, 1997, Maritimes & Northeast 
Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes), c/o M&N Management Company, 1284 Soldiers 
Field Road, Boston, MA 02135, a Delaware limited liability company, 
filed in Docket No. CP96-809-002,\1\ an Amendment to its Application 
for Phase II of its project (Phase II Amendment) pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act. This amendment reflects the effect of the 
Joint Facilities Application of Maritimes and Portland Natural Gas 
Transmission System (PNGTS), initially filed with the Commission on 
February 10, 1997, and completed on March 18, 1997, in Docket No. CP97-
238-000 (Joint Facilities Application),\2\ on Maritimes' September 23, 
1996, Phase II Application, in Docket No. CP96-809-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A supplemental filing which contained a revised Maritimes 
pro forma tariff for 1998 service and 1999 service was filed on 
November 1, 1996, and docketed as Docket No. CP96-809-001. This 
supplement reflects the requirements of Order No. 587 (Gas Industry 
Standards Board), and conforms the Phase II tariff to tariff changes 
required by the July 31, 1996. Preliminary Deterination for Phase I. 
It was not noticed at that time, but parties to this proceeding may 
comment on it in conjunction with their comments on the amendment in 
Docket No. CP96-809-002.
    \2\ See Notice of Application for Docket No. CP97-238-000 issued 
on March 21, 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The completion of the Joint Facilities Application, originally 
filed February 10, 1997, was preceded by two public conference at the 
Commission and four letters from the Office of Pipeline Regulation 
(OPR) requesting the information required to complete the filing. 
However, certain information which is needed to complete the processing 
of the Joint Facilities Application remains to be filed.\3\ Complete 
and accurate filing of that information on the schedule stated in the 
joint applicants' March 18, 1997, filing is essential for the 
expeditious processing of the Phase II applications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See the March 21, 1997, OPR Director's letter to the joint 
applicants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Joint Facilities Application requests authorization to 
construct and operate approximately 99.8 miles of jointly-owned 30-inch 
pipeline and appurtenant facilities to accommodate natural gas volumes 
that would otherwise be transported through the same area by separate 
pipeline facilities. The Joint Facilities Application proposes joint 
facilities from Dracut, Massachusetts to Westbrook, Maine.
    The Phase II Amendment addresses the effects of the Joint 
Facilities

[[Page 15170]]

Application on the cost of facilities and rates, the tariff, and the 
pipeline route set forth in the Phase II Application. The Phase II 
Amendment adopts the 35-mile Wells to Westbrook, Maine segment of the 
Joint Facilities, including two laterals (the Westbrook Lateral and the 
Haverhill Lateral) and two meter stations as the proposed Phase II 
Facilities. The 24-inch pipeline previously proposed in the Phase II 
Application from Westbrook, Maine to the U.S.-Canada border for service 
starting in 1999 is unchanged by the Phase II Amendment. Also unchanged 
is Maritimes' proposal for a 1998 Phase II interim service which will 
include service to the Westbrook Lateral and the Cousins Island 
Lateral.
    Maritimes states that its revised estimated cost is about $387 
million. Originally, its Phase II cost estimate was $404 million. The 
cost estimate revisions are based on an allocation of its share of the 
Joint Facilities costs, and the revised estimated cost of its own 
facilities from Westbrook to the U.S.-Canada border. The revised 
estimate for the Westbrook to Canada segment is based on updated 
facilities cost information (primarily lower estimates of labor 
expenses), more environmental information and analysis, and pipeline 
route changes. The cost for the 1998 facilities decreased from $63 
million to $61.8 million, while the cost for the 1999 facilities 
decreased from $340.9 million to $325.5 million.
    The rates proposed by Maritimes have been revised to reflect 
Maritimes' new cost estimates. The initial rate for Maritimes' 365-day 
firm transportation for Phase II service from Canada starting in 1999 
is now $15.0858 per MMBtu; previously it was $15.7551 per MMBtu.\4\ The 
calculation of the revised rates and charges is included in Exhibit P 
to the Phase II Amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Maritimes proposes that the 1998 interim Phase II service 
will be at negotiated rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Maritimes states that minor tariff changes may be needed to 
coordinate matters such as measurement or quality specifications with 
PNGTS. To the extent necessary, such changes would be filed with the 
Commission. Other than the changes to the proposed rates, the proposed 
tariff, including rate schedules, and general terms and conditions 
remains unchanged from the supplemental tariff filing in Docket No. 
CP96-809-001.
    Maritimes requests that the Commission issue a Preliminary 
Determination on Phase II by May 31, 1997, and a final certificate for 
Phase II by December 17, 1997.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The data response filed by Maritimes on March 20, 1997, 
citing the December 17, 1997, date is taken to be a further 
amendment of Maritimes' February 24, 1997, filing wherein August 31, 
1997, was cited as the date that a final certificate was required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said Amendment, or the supplemental tariff filing in 
Docket No. CP96-809-001, should, on or before April 15, 1997, file with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, 
Washington, DC 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 or 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 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 the 
jurisdiction conferred upon the 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 Amendment if no petition 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 Amendment is required by the 
public convenience and necessity. If a petition 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 procedures herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, 
it will be unnecessary for Maritimes to appear or be represented at the 
hearing. Anyone who has already filed a motion to intervene in Docket 
No. CP96-809-000 need not file a motion to intervene again with the 
Commission.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-8072 Filed 3-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M