[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 8630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4268]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-216-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Request Under Blanket 
Authorization

February 13, 1998.
    Take notice that on February 3, 1998, as supplemented on February 
5, 1998, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), 1111 South 103rd 
Street, Omaha, NE 68124-1000, filed in Docket No. CP98-216-000 a 
request pursuant to Sections 157.205, 157.212(a), and 157.216(b) of the 
Commission's Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205, 
157.212(a), and 157.216(b)) for authorization to abandon the Glenwood, 
Iowa branchline and to relocate two small volume farm taps all located 
in Mills County, Iowa, under the blanket certificate issued in Docket 
No. CP82-401-000, all as more fully set forth in the request which is 
on file with the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Northern proposes to abandon approximately 0.2 miles of 2-inch pipe 
and 1.1 miles of 3-inch lines which were installed in 1950 and 1934, 
respectively. Northern is requesting abandonment of the Glenwood 
branchline due to the age of the pipeline. Specifically, Northern 
asserts that the 3-inch pipeline has deteriorated to the point where it 
needs to be replaced. Additionally, Northern notes that the 3-inch line 
crosses 9 out of 11 lots in a new housing development which, per 
Department of Transportation regulations, requires a class location 
change. Rather than replace the existing Glenwood branchline in its 
current location, Northern proposes to abandon the line. Northern notes 
that it will provide the same service to Glenwood, Iowa via a 
replacement line installed at a more accessible location under Blanket 
Authority. The 2-inch line was originally installed to augment service 
to Glenwood, Iowa but will be rendered useless once the 3-inch line is 
abandoned. As a result of the abandonment, Northern notes that two farm 
taps located along the 3-inch line require removal and relocation.
    Northern notes that it will utilize the most efficient method of 
abandonment based on circumstances at the time of abandonment. 
Generally, Northern proposes to abandon in-place pipeline at unique 
situations where the environment is better protected by not removing 
the pipeline. Northern contends that it will also restore the area to 
its original condition by reseeding or allowing resumption of farming 
activity (or as specified by landowner). Northern states that the 
affected state commission has been mailed copies of this request. 
Northern submitted letters with the customers consenting to the 
pipeline project.
    Any person or the Commission's staff may, within 45 days after 
issuance of the instant notice by the Commission, file pursuant to Rule 
214 of the Commission's Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion to 
intervene or notice of intervention and pursuant to Section 157.205 of 
the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.205) a protest to 
the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed therefor, 
the proposed activity shall be deemed authorized effective the day 
after the time allowed for filing a request. If a protest is filed and 
not withdrawn within 30 days after the time allowed for filing a 
protests, the instant request shall be treated as an application for 
authorization pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-4268 Filed 2-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M