[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6165-6166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2928]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-200-000]


National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation; Notice of Application

February 2, 1998
    Take notice that on January 26, 1998, National Fuel Gas Supply 
Corporation (National Fuel) 10 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York 
14203, filed an application in Docket No. CP98-200-000 pursuant to 
Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and approval to 
abandon certain pipeline facilities, all as more fully set forth in the 
application on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    National Fuel states that its proposed abandonment is related to a 
reroute (the Clarion Reroute) proposed by Independence Pipeline Company 
in an amended application filed in Docket No. CP97-315-001. A portion 
of the Clarion Reroute would follow National Fuel's existing right-of-
way between Eshbaugh and Lamont, Pennsylvania, a distance of 
approximately 40 miles.
    In its application, National Fuel requests authorization to abandon 
approximately 30.57 miles of transmission pipeline (and in addition, 
would abandon 26.03 miles of a non-jurisdictional gathering line) in 
Clarion, Jefferson, and Elk Counties, Pennsylvania in order to provide 
space for the proposed 36-inch Independence Pipeline. This would permit 
the Independence Pipeline to be laid in the existing right-of-way, 
alongside National Fuel's existing facilities. National Fuel states 
that its proposed abandonment would reduce the amount of corridor 
widening necessary to build the Independence Pipeline along this 40-
mile corridor, adding to the other advantages of the Clarion Reroute, 
as described in Independence's amended application in Docket No. CP97-
315-001.
    National Fuel states that the abandonment will require the 
relocation of inlet piping at four regulator stations and three taps 
and the addition of three jumpers, pursuant to Section 2.55(a) of the 
Commission's regulations. An automation upgrade would also be performed 
at National Fuel's Knox Compressor Station, pursuant to Section 2.55(a) 
of the Commission's regulations.
    National Fuel estimates that the cost of removing the pipelines to 
be abandoned will be offset by the salvage value of these pipelines and 
the cost of the above-described system modifications will be reimbursed 
by Independence. These system modifications will cost approximately 
$843,000.
    National Fuel requests that the Commission issue an order approving 
the abandonment contemporaneously with a Commission order issuing a 
certificate to Independence in Docket No. CP97-315-001.
    National Fuel states that the proposed abandonment and the 
construction of the Independence Pipeline would not adversely affect 
system operations or service to customers.
    Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to 
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before 
February 23, 1998, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
888 First St., 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 taken but will not serve to make the protestants 
parties to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that 
protestors provide copies of their protests to the party or parties 
directly involved. 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 an original and 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 designeee 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

[[Page 6166]]

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 National Fuel to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-2928 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M