[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]


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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