[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31093-31094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14825]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-539-000]


Williams Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

June 2, 1997.
    Take notice that on May 21, 1997, Williams Natural Gas Company 
(WNG), One Williams Center, P.O. Box 3288, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101, filed 
in Docket No. CP97-539-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(b) of 
the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission's Regulations for permission and approval to abandon by 
reclaim the Beloit compressor station consisting of two 169 horsepower 
Cooper compressor units, one 500 horsepower White Superior compressor 
unit, miscellaneous coolers and piping, all in Mitchell County, Kansas, 
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with 
the Commission and open to public inspection.
    WNG states that the Beloit compressor station was authorized 
pursuant to Docket No. G-1795 and placed in service on January 6, 1952. 
The Beloit compressor station was constructed on the Superior 8-inch 
line to provide the Holnam Cement plant with increased pressure needed 
to produce cement. WNG notes that at the time of construction, the 
annual volume of gas

[[Page 31094]]

delivered to Holnam was approximately 1,627,491 Mcf. However, WNG 
states that in the 1980's the volume of gas used at the Holnam plant 
declined as cement production decreased. According to WNG, the Beloit 
compressor station has not been in operation since March 1993. WNG 
states that Holnam advised WNG that the plant is no longer used as a 
manufacturing facility but as a distribution terminal and, as a result, 
gas usage will be limited to hot water heaters and winter time space 
heating. WNG claims that it can provide these volumes without the 
Beloit station. WNG notes that the most recent annual volume delivered 
to Holnam was 4,719 Mcf.
    WNG estimates that the cost of the proposed abandonment will be 
$49,060 with an estimated salvage value of $50,000. WNG states that it 
will retain the Beloit station site and the compressor building and 
foundation will be abandoned in place. Additionally, WNG notes that it 
intends to return the units to stock to be used for parts or sold as 
scrap. WNG claims that although it identifies Beloit station as an 
operating unit, WNG proposes to treat the abandonment as a retirement, 
with no recognition of a gain or a loss. WNG states that this 
accounting treatment is proposed because no sale or transfer of the 
station to an outside party is involved. WNG asserts that since the 
reclaim will take place on previously disturbed WNG property, no 
environmental clearances are required. WNG states that it will follow 
the applicable portions of the Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation and 
Maintenance Plan.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before June 23, 1997, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., 
Washington, D.C. 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) 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 on review of the matter finds 
that permission and approval for the proposed abandonment are 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 unnecessary for WNG to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-14825 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M