[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48829-48830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24613]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-724-000]


NorAm Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Application

September 11, 1997.
    Take notice that on September 3, 1997, NorAm Gas Transmission 
Company (NGT) 1600 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002, filed in Docket 
No. CP97-724-000 an application, pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of 
the Natural Gas Act, for a certificate of public convenience and 
necessity authorizing it to construct, modify, or abandon certain 
pipeline and measurement facilities all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.

[[Page 48830]]

    Specifically, NGT proposes to: (1) replace approximately 61.2 miles 
of 20-inch dresser-coupled pipe with standard 20-inch dresser-coupled 
pipe with standard 20-inch welded steel pipe, including a minor re-
route at NGT's Ruston Compressor Station (Ruston); (2) reclassify an 
8.2 mile segment of Line F as a low pressure gas supply line; (3) 
install minor yard and station piping at NGT's Buckley Compressor 
Station; existing pipeline (NGT indicates that no service will be 
interrupted or abandoned as a result of abandoning these taps); (6) 
replace and relocate 36 active taps on Line F; (7) abandon 33 inactive 
delivery tape; and (8) install minor yard and station piping at Ruston. 
NGT estimates that the cost of the proposed project is approximately 
$32.3 million.
    NGT explains that because of the engineering advancements inherent 
in modern 20-inch welded steel pipe, Line F will be able to operate at 
a higher pressure resulting in increased capacity totaling 170,000 
MMBtu per day. NGT states that it has entered into three precedent 
agreements for transportation using Line F capacity that obligate 
shippers to multi-year commitments totaling 115,000 MMBtu. NGT claims 
that the discounted and negotiated rates bargained for between NGT and 
the precedent agreement shippers are required to meet NGT's 
competition.
    NGT requests advanced determination under the Commission's pricing 
policy statement that the cost of this project will qualify for rolled-
in rate treatment when NGT files its next Section 4 rate case. NGT 
asserts that its proposed upgrade will provide specific system 
benefits, such as increased system flexibility and improved 
reliability, that are proportionate to or greater than the rate impact 
of rolling-in the cost of the facilities. NGT states that it has 
conducted an analysis that demonstrates that the impact of rolling-in 
the Line F upgrade costs will be less than 5 percent.
    Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to 
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before 
October 2, 1997, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
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 385.214 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.
    A person obtaining intervenor status will be placed on the service 
list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive 
copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by every one of the 
intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing of any Commission 
order and can petition for court review of any such order. However, an 
intervenor must submit copies of comments or any other filing it makes 
with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as 
well as 14 copies with the Commission.
    A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have 
comments considered. A person, instead, may submit two copies of 
comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Commenters will be placed 
on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of 
environmental documents and will be able to participate in meetings 
associated with the Commission's environmental review process. 
Commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on 
all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all 
documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission and will 
not have the right to seek rehearing or appeal the Commission's final 
order to a federal court.
    The Commission will consider all comments and concerns equally, 
whether filed by commenters or those requesting intervenor status.
    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 unnecessary for NGT to appear to be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-24613 Filed 9-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M