[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29980-29981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14481]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-545-000]


Colorado Engineering Experiment Station, Inc.; Notice of Petition 
for Declaratory Order

May 27, 1998.
    Take notice that on May 13, 1998, Colorado Engineering Experiment 
Station, Inc. (CEESI), 54043 WCR 37, Nunn, Colorado 80648, filed in 
Docket No. CP98-545-000, a petition pursuant to Rule 207 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.207), 
requesting the Commission to determine and declare that it lacks 
jurisdiction pursuant to the Natural Gas Act (NGA), other statutes 
including the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA), and any regulations 
promulgated thereunder, over the construction, maintenance and 
operation of CEESI's proposed natural gas meter calibration facilities 
and appurtenances; all as more fully set forth in the petition which is 
on file with the Commission and open for public inspection.
    CEESI plans to develop a natural gas meter calibration facility at 
Northern Border Pipeline Company's (Northern Border) Ventura 
Measurement Station (Ventura Station) located near Ventura, Iowa, for 
the primary purpose of calibrating large volume flowmeters. The meter 
calibration facility to be operated by CEESI will consist of reference 
meters, meter testing facilities and instrumentation, 30-inch piping 
and buildings. CEESI states that the Ventura Station provide the 
following essential elements for calibrating large volume meters: (i) A 
consistent year around daily flow of a large volume of natural gas; 
(ii) a high pressure system; and (iii) cold winter conditions.

[[Page 29981]]

    CEESI states that the planned calibration facility will provide 
manufacturers and users of large volume flow meters in the United 
States access to a calibration facility in the United States, resulting 
in reduced expense and time required to test and transport such meters. 
In addition, CEESI avers that the facility will provide the opportunity 
to further develop the ultrasonic flowmeter technology and to develop 
United States standards for ultrasonic flowmeters.
    CEESI further states that Northern Border will install about 900 
feet of 30-inch pipe and a tie-over between Ventura to Harper, Iowa and 
the outlet of the CEESI facility all located in the Ventura Station 
yard to accommodate CEESI's calibration facility. The 30-inch pipe will 
connect the meter calibration facility and Northern Border's system. 
Northern Border will also construct two buildings for CEESI, one to 
house instrumentation and one for the testing of meters. CEESI will 
reimburse Northern Border for any operating or maintenance costs. CEESI 
will also pay Northern Border a fee related to the 30-inch pipe, the 
tie-over, buildings and appurtenances installed by Northern Border. 
CEESI will replace in kind any natural gas volume lost during the meter 
calibration process. The gas loss during the meter calibration process 
will be minimis. Operation of the CEESI facilities will not result in 
costs or charges to Northern Border's customers.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before June 17, 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 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 Section 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 and 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 duly given.
    Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, 
it will be unnecessary for the CEESI to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-14481 Filed 6-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING COCE 6717-01-M