[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 11665-11666] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-6050] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP97-699-001] Midcoast Interstate Transmission, Inc; Notice of Amendment March 4, 1998. Take notice that on February 20, 1998, Midcoast Interstate Transmission, Inc. (MIT), formerly Alabama-Tennessee Natural Gas Company, 3230 Second Street, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661, filed an application pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations, requesting an extension to November 1, 1999, of the limited-term certificate to continue to operate certain existing compressor and related facilities, with pregranted abandonment authority, in order to ensure its ability to satisfy its firm service requirements, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to the public inspection. On October 2, 1997, the Commission issued in the captioned proceeding a limited-term certificate, authorizing MIT to operate for a one year period ending [[Page 11666]] November 1, 1998, two standby 350 horsepower Clark compressor units and related facilities, located at its Sheffield Compressor Station in Colbert County, Alabama. The utilization of the two standby compressor units would allow MIT time to determine whether a more permanent service arrangement would be required based on the outcome of the North Alabama Pipeline project of Southern Natural Gas Company (Southern) in Docket No. CP96-153-000 and the service decisions of the customers, the Cities of Decatur and Huntsville (Decatur and Huntsville), that the project was designed to serve. Currently, MIT is proposing the instant extension request due to a recent certificate amendment by Southern in that proceeding. Southern's amendment indicates that construction will not commence on the North Alabama Pipeline until March 1999, and that it would not be operational until November 1, 1999. MIT notes that in the event that Decatur and Huntsville remained on its system, then it had planned to submit a permanent, long term solution that would accommodate all of its firm service obligations. Rather than propose a costly long-term alternative, MIT contends that it can continue to use its standby compressors without any additional capital outlay and still meet the firm service requirements until the future becomes more clear. Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should or before March 25, 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 National Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests filed with the Commission will be considered by it in determining appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceedings. 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 of its designee on the 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 dully given. Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, it will be unnecessary for MIT to appear or be represented at the hearing. David P. Boergers, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-6050 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M