[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 1105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-389]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-723-001]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

January 2, 1998.
    Take notice that on December 29, 1997, Southern Natural Gas Company 
(Southern), Post Office Box 2563, Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2563, filed 
in Docket No. CP97-723-001 an application, pursuant to Section 7(c) of 
the Natural Gas Act, for a certificate of public convenience and 
necessity authorizing it to construct and operate replacement 
facilities, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on 
file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    On September 3, 1997, Southern filed pursuant to Sec. 157.208 of 
the Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for 
authorization to replace and relocate a portion of its North Main Line, 
North Main Loop Line and Second North Main Line, under its blanket 
certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-406-000. Specifically, Southern 
proposed to relocate certain facilities in order to remove its system 
from the threat of soil subsidence which could occur as a result of 
long-wall coal seam mining. Southern had stated that it would replace 
and relocate certain sections of its 22-inch North Main Line, 24-inch 
North Main loop Line and 24-inch Second North Main Line facilities in 
Jefferson County, Alabama, and that there would be no adverse impact to 
firm deliveries.
    Southern, using historical cost data for similar construction 
projects, estimated the total cost to be $17.7 million. However, on 
November 24, 1997, because of the increased cost of directional 
drilling, Southern received a higher than originally expected bid for 
construction services, increasing the total project cost to $20.1 
million which cost exceeds the amount under Sec. 157.208 project 
limits. Accordingly, Southern requests in Docket No. CP97-723-001, 
either a waiver of the project cost limits of Sec. 157.208 or an 
expedited certificate under Section 7(c) so that construction can 
begin. Southern states that it requested and received clearance letters 
from the Alabama State Historic Preservation Officer and the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service for the construction of this project.
    Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to 
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before 
January 7, 1998, 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 385.214 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 unnecessary for Southern to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-389 Filed 1-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M