[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 62767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30885]



[[Page 62767]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-84-000]


The Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company; Notice of Application

November 19, 1997.
    Take notice that on November 12, 1997, The Peoples Gas Light and 
Coke Company (Peoples Gas), 130 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 
60601, filed in Docket No. CP98-84-000, an application pursuant to 
Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, as amended, and Section 284.224 of 
the Commission's Regulations, for a blanket certificate of public 
convenience and necessity authorizing Peoples Gas to provide firm and 
interruptible transportation services in interstate commerce, all as 
more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the 
Commission and open to public inspection.
    Peoples Gas is a public utility and its rate and tariffs are 
subject to regulation by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Peoples Gas 
is engaged in the business of purchasing and storing natural gas and 
distributing and selling natural gas to approximately 840,000 retail 
customers within the City of Chicago, Illinois. Peoples Gas owns and 
operates a distribution system within the City of Chicago and it owns 
and operates a storage field located in central Illinois. Peoples Gas 
states that it owns and operates a looped pipeline (30-inch and 42-
inch) which connects the storage field with its distribution system. 
Peoples Gas claims that these facilities are subject to the Illinois 
Commission's jurisdiction. Peoples Gas asserts that these facilities 
currently serve only retail customers in Illinois and that it is not 
authorized to provide interstate services subject to the Commission's 
jurisdiction.
    Peoples Gas notes that its facilities interconnect with four 
interstate pipelines, namely ANR Pipeline Company, Midwestern Gas 
Transmission Company, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America and 
Trunkline Gas Company. Peoples Gas claims that it could also have 
interconnections with Northern Border Pipeline Company and Alliance 
Pipeline Company if these projects are approved and completed. Since 
these pipelines are tied to major gas producing regions in the United 
States and Canada. Peoples Gas feels that it is strategically located 
to provide transportation service in the Chicago, Illinois market area. 
By transporting gas on behalf of other local distribution companies, 
producer/marketers and end users, Peoples Gas claims that it will 
enhance competition in the Chicago market by facilitating pooling, 
providing additional options for shippers serving midwest markets and 
for end users in those markets by linking existing and proposed 
pipelines, and improving liquidity in the commodity market at the 
Chicago citygate.
    Peoples Gas asserts that during the twelve-month period ending 
September 30, 1997, it received 287,644 Mdth of gas from all sources 
into its system within or at the boundary of the State of Illinois. 
Peoples Gas states that it does not currently provide wholesale 
transportation services and none of the gas received during the most 
recent period was exempt from the Commission's regulation by reason of 
Section 1(c) of the NGA. Peoples Gas states that all of the gas 
received was exempt from the Commission's jurisdiction by reason of 
section 1(b) of the NGA since all of such gas was purchased for the 
purpose of distribution to end users within Illinois and was subject to 
the Illinois Commission jurisdiction. Peoples Gas filed its proposed 
rates in its contemporaneously filed application in Docket No. PR98-1-
000 for approval of rates pursuant to Sections 284.123 and 284.224 of 
the Commissions Regulations (18 CFR 284.123 and 284.224) Peoples Gas 
states that it will comply with the conditions of Section 284.224(e) of 
the Commission's regulations.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before December 10, 1997, 
file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, 
NE., 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.
    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 permission and approval for the proposed abandonment and 
grant of certificate 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 Peoples Gas to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-30885 Filed 11-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M