[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17396-17397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9300]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-308-000]


Florida Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Application

April 3, 1998.
    Take notice that on March 27, 1998, Florida Gas Transmission 
Corporation (FGT), 1400 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002, filed in 
Docket No. CP98-308-000 an application pursuant to

[[Page 17397]]

Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and approval to 
abandon by sale to Acacia Natural Gas Corporation (Acacia) three minor 
gas supply laterals and related taps, valves, measurement facilities 
and appurtenant facilities located in the counties of Matagorda and 
Wharton, Texas, and for a determination that the subject facilities 
will be exempt from the Commission's jurisdiction following the 
disconnection from FGT's pipeline system and the sale to Acacia, all as 
more fully set forth in the application on file with the Commission and 
open to public inspection.
    Specifically, FGT proposes to abandon by sale to Acacia the South 
Hutchins Lateral, the North Withers Lateral and the Jones Creek 
Lateral; and related taps, valves, measurement facilities and any other 
appurtenant facilities located in the counties of Matagorda and 
Wharton, Texas. FGT also seeks a determination that the subject 
facilities be exempt from the Commission's jurisdiction following the 
disconnection from FGT's pipeline system and sale to Acacia.
    FGT states that the three gas supply laterals have no gas flowing 
from supply sources and only a small quantity of gas is flowing to 
supply one farm tap. FGT states that, consequently, the cost of 
operating these laterals exceed any current or anticipated future 
economic benefits. FGT states that it has, therefore, elected to sell 
these three laterals, along with related taps, valves, measurement 
facilities and any other attached appurtenant facilities. FGT states 
that it has reached agreement with the owner of the farm tap to 
terminate the interruptible transportation agreement used to move gas 
to the farm tap. FGT states that the farm tap owner will switch to an 
alternate fuel.
    FGT states that the Jones Creek and North Withers Laterals feed 
directly into the South Hutchins Lateral, and that upon approval of 
this abandonment application and conveyance of title to Acacia, FGT 
will cut and cap the South Hutchins Lateral.
    FGT states that Acacia will operate the facilities as non-
jurisdictional facilities and not subject to the jurisdiction of the 
Commission under the Natural Gas Act.
    FGT states that inasmuch as the facilities will be sold to Acacia, 
the capital and operating costs of the facilities will be removed from 
FGT's rate base and cost-of-service, and there will be no stranded 
facility costs associated with the proposed abandonment and sale.
    FGT states that upon the abandonment of the subject facilities, as 
proposed herein, FGT will eliminate the appropriate points from its 
listing maintained on its Electronic Bulletin Board and in its Tariff.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before April 24, 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 permission and approval for the proposed abandonment are 
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 FGT to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-9300 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M