[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51061-51062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25488]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. RP98-402-000]


Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in 
FERC Gas Tariff

September 18, 1998.
    Take notice that on September 15, 1998, Eastern Shore Natural Gas 
Company (Eastern Shore) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas 
Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, the following revised tariff 
sheets with a proposed effective date of October 15, 1998:

First Revised Sheet No. 264
Original Sheet No. 264A
First Revised Sheet No. 278
Original Sheet No. 278A
First Revised Sheet No. 304
Original Sheet No. 304A

    Eastern Shore states that the purpose of this filing is to modify 
certain of Eastern Shore's pro forma service agreements to provide for 
specific types of volume-related discounts that may be granted by 
Eastern Shore. By making these modifications to Eastern Shore's form of 
service agreements, Eastern Shore seeks to reduce the need for filing 
individual discount agreements as ``material deviations'' when such 
discounts are volume-related.
    Eastern Shore further states its proposed tariff revisions are 
consistent with the Commission's clarifications regarding discount 
agreements set forth in ``Order on Rehearing and

[[Page 51062]]

Clarification'' issued by the Commission in Natural Gas Pipeline 
Company of America, 82 FERC para.61,298 (1998) (Natural). The 
Commission found that Natural must file all discounts which contain 
material deviations from the pro forma service agreements in Natural's 
tariff. Natural, 82 FERC at 62,179-80. Discount agreements containing 
variations from the pro forma service agreement (other than those 
specified in Order No. 582) must be on file and approved by the 
Commission--either by being reflected in the pro forma agreement in the 
tariff or by being filed individually as non-conforming service 
agreements. Id. at 62,180.
    Eastern Shore states that it proposes to revise three (3) of its 
pro forma service agreements. Eastern Shore has specified a list of 
options which would allow Eastern Shore and its customers to agree upon 
specific types of volume-related discounts pursuant to the pro forma 
service agreement, without the filing of individual non-conforming 
service agreements. This language in the pro forma service agreement 
allows the parties to tailor the discount to specific market and 
business conditions by defining discounts which apply only to specific 
volumes, to volumes during specific periods, of time, to volumes at 
specific delivery point areas, zones or geographical area, or in 
relation to volumes actually transported. These revisions provide 
Eastern Shore and its customers the ability to agree upon discounted 
rates which reflect conditions in specific markets. Eastern Shore 
believes this approach provides commercial benefits to Eastern Shore's 
customers and is more administratively flexible and efficient for both 
Eastern Shore and its customers.
    Finally, Eastern Shore states that copies have been mailed to all 
customers and interested state commissions.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest said filing should 
file a motion to intervene or a protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20426, in 
accordance with Sections 385.214 or 385.211 of the Commission's Rules 
and Regulations. All such motions or protests must be filed in 
accordance with Section 154.210 of the Commission's Regulations. 
Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants 
parties to the proceedings. Any person wishing to become a party must 
file a motion to intervene. Copies of this filing are on file with the 
Commission and are available for public inspection in the Public 
Reference Room.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-25488 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M