[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 18769-18770] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-9894] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP96-758-001] Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Application April 11, 1997. Take notice that on April 9, 1997, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, filed in Docket No. CP96-758-001 an application, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, requesting authority to amend its certificate issued March 26, 1997, in Docket No. CP96-758-000 so as to reduce the project scale and pipe diameter and to revise its initial rates, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. Transco states that it seeks to modify its Southeast Louisiana Gathering System, as approved in the March 26, 1997, order. Transco explains that the order authorized it to construct and operate the following facilities in two phases: Phase IA platform in Ship Shoal Block 14, including associated piping modifications in Ship Shoal Blocks 14 and 28, offshore Louisiana, to connect the platform facilities to the west leg of the SELGS in Ship Shoal Block 28. Approximately 50.71 miles of 30-inch pipeline extending from the new platform in Ship Shoal Block 14 to a tie-in with the east leg of the SELGS in Ship Shoal Block 214. Phase II A junction platform in South Timbalier Block 301. Approximately 26.87 miles of 30-inch pipeline extending from an interconnection with the Phase I facilities and Transco's Ship Shoal Block 214 junction platform to the new South Timbalier Block 301 junction platform. Transco proposed in-service dates for the Phase I and Phase II facilities of November 1, 1997 and November 1, 1998, respectively. Transco estimated that the cost of the overall project would be $129,054,498. Transco states that the Phase I facilities were designed to create firm transportation capacity of 380,113 Mcf per day and 659, 732 Mcf per day after Phase II. The order also authorized Transco proposals to charge incremental rates for service through the proposed expansion. Transco states that it proposes to amend the March 26, 1996, authorization to reduce the size of the proposed 30-inch pipeline to 24-inch diameter pipeline and also to delete Phase II of the expansion. Transco states that these are the only revisions proposed to the certificated facilities. Transco states that the revised cost of the project is $76,360,516 and that the changes in the project scope will reduce the firm capacity of the project to 331,819 dekatherms per day. Transco states that the proposed in-service date for the project will remain November 1, 1997. The locations and routes of the proposed facilities will also remain unchanged. Transco states that based on the revised cost of the facilities, the rate design and cost of service factors approved by the Commission in the March 26, 1997, order and revised billing determinants under the project of 331,819 dekatherms per day times a 70 percent load factor, it requests approval of a revised initial monthly reservation rate of $5.6223 per dekatherm. Transco states that a 70 percent load factor assumption complies with the Commission's policy with regard to minimum volumes to be used for designing rates for facilities located offshore Louisiana. Transco states that in addition to the incremental monthly reservation charge for firm transportation service, it requests approval of a usage rate of $0.1848 per dekatherm for interruptible transportation service to be rendered through the proposed facilities. This rate is based on the 100 percent load factor equivalent of the revised monthly reservation rate and will be charged only to those shippers specifically requesting interruptible transportation through the proposed facilities. Interruptible service will be provided under Rate Schedule IT and be subject to its terms and conditions. Transco states that approval of the incremental usage rate is critical to the economic viability of the project and whether or not Transco decides to go forward with the project. Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before April 18, 1997, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 385.214 or 385.211) 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 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 the 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 [[Page 18770]] unnecessary for Transco to appear or be represented at the hearing. Lois D. Cashell, Secretary. [FR Doc. 97-9894 Filed 4-16-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M