[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31205-31206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15091]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP98-569-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Application

June 2, 1998.
    Take notice that on May 22, 1998, Columbia Gas Transmission 
Corporation (Columbia), 12801 Fair Lakes Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 
22030-0146, filed in Docket No. CP98-569-000, an application pursuant 
to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's 
Regulations for an order permitting and approving the abandonment by 
sale to Norse Pipeline, LLC, (Norse) of certain certificated natural 
gas facilities, designated as the Project Penny facilities, located in 
the states of New York and Pennsylvania, as more fully set forth in the 
application, which is on file with the Commission and open for public 
inspection.
    Specifically, Columbia proposes to abandon by sale the Project 
Penny System which includes approximately 336 miles of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 
12-inch diameter pipeline, seven compressor stations, and other 
appurtenant facilities. Also, Columbia will sell to Norse approximately 
4.53 miles of non-jurisdictional gathering lines and appurtenances. 
Columbia states that the Project Penny facilities will be sold for a 
negotiated amount of $21,800,000.
    Columbia states that as a result of Order Nos. 436 and 636, it has 
experienced a shift from primarily a merchant function to that of 
transporter. As a result, Columbia says it is taking steps to redefine 
its pipeline system. Columbia further states that the Project Penny 
facilities are not an integral part of its transmission system and that 
the long-term needs of its customers are best served through a 
divestiture of the non-core facilities.
    Columbia relates that it does not propose the abandonment of 
service to customers other than the firm and interruptible customers 
currently served directly from the Project Penny facilities. Columbia 
relates that Norse has agreed to assume Columbia's service obligation 
to both.
    Concurrently with this application, Norse filed a Petition for 
Declaratory Order Disclaiming Jurisdiction Over Gathering Facilities in 
Docket No. CP98-568-000. Columbia states that Norse owns no facilities 
under the jurisdiction of the Commission, but does own, through a Norse 
affiliate, discrete gathering facilities located in Chautauqua County, 
New York.

[[Page 31206]]

Columbia asserts Norse is not an affiliate of Columbia.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before June 23, 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 385.211 and 385.214) 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 in any 
proceeding herein 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 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 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 Columbia to appear or to be represented at 
the hearing.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-15091 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M