[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60312-60313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29926]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. RP99-116-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Proposed Changes 
in FERC Gas Tariff

November 3, 1998.
    Take notice that on October 30, 1998, Columbia Gas Transmission 
Corporation (Columbia) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas 
Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, the following revised tariff 
sheets to become effective January 1, 1999:

Fourth Revised Sheet No. 443

    Columbia states that this filing is being submitted pursuant to the 
April 29, 1998, order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission) in the Gas Research Institute (GRI) proceedings 
in Docket Nos. RP97-149-003, et al. 83 FERC para.61,093 (1998) (Order) 
approving the Stipulation and Agreement dated January 21, 1998 
(Settlement). In the Settlement, Columbia agreed to be a voluntary 
collection agent for shippers who voluntarily choose to contribute to 
GRI programs through a ``check-the-box'' mechanism on billing invoices 
in addition to the settlement charges, beginning January 1, 1999. The 
settlement provides that, among other things, effective January 1, 
2005, GRI surcharges will no longer be in effect and will reflect 
declining surcharge rates for the period 1998 through 2003, with 
adjustments in 2004, if needed. Section 1.7 of the Settlement provides 
for voluntary funding for the years 1998 through 2004 and that, 
effective no later than January 1, 2005, all GRI funding and membership 
will be on a voluntary basis.
    Columbia agrees to collect these voluntary amounts submitted by its 
shippers, and states that these amounts will not be part of Columbia's 
jurisdictional rates. As part of the ``check-the box'' procedure, the 
shipper

[[Page 60313]]

may state the amount of the contribution, as well as the project(s) the 
shipper wishes to support. Columbia proposes, consistent with the 
Order, that the Commission will not review or approve the amounts 
collected by Columbia. Columbia is adjusting Section 33 of the General 
Terms and Conditions of its tariff to implement the ``check-the box'' 
mechanism.
    Columbia states further that copies of this filing have been mailed 
to all of its customers and affected state regulatory 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.W., Washington, D.C. 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. 98-29926 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M