[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38190-38191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17997]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP99-574-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

July 9, 1999.
    Take notice that on July 2, 1999, Southern Natural Gas Company 
(Southern), AmSouth-Sonat Tower, 1900 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, 
Alabama 35203, filed, in Docket No. CP99-574-000, an application 
pursuant to Sections 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 Texas Southeastern Gas Gathering Company (Texas 
Southeastern) of certain pipelines, receiving stations, and appurtenant 
facilities located in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes, Louisiana, 
as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the 
Commission and open to public inspection. The application may be viewed 
on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm. Call (202) 208-
2222 for assistance.
    Southern states that the proposed abandonment by sale to Texas 
Southeastern will not affect the capacity of Southern's pipeline 
system. Southern asserts that this abandonment is in the public 
interest because the sale of the facilities will reduce its operation 
and maintenance cost, fuel and gas loss, and capital expenditures for 
upgrading of lines and receiving stations through the

[[Page 38191]]

elimination of approximately 54.2 miles from Southern's pipeline 
system.
    Southern maintains that, after the sale, the facilities can be 
classified as gathering facilities in accordance with the Commission's 
``modified primary function'' test. Southern indicates that Texas 
Southeastern plans to use these facilities to expand its pipeline 
facilities and operations in the immediate areas and continue to 
deliver gas into Southern's pipeline system. Southern states that it 
will also save Texas Southeastern the cost of building duplicate 
facilities. Southern says that there will be no loss of service since 
any request for service on the facilities will be performed by the new 
owner.
    Prior to the transfer of facilities, Southern will construct, 
install and operate at the terminus of the facilities a new receiving 
station under its blanket certificate pursuant to section 157.208(a) of 
the Commission's regulations. Southern reports that the total cost of 
the station will be borne solely by Texas Southeastern. Southern states 
that, subsequent to the sale, Southern's shippers, If they so choose, 
will be able to nominate receipt volumes at the new receiving station. 
Southern says these receipt volumes could include existing sources from 
the current gathering system as well as the sources developed by Texas 
Southeastern.
    Southern currently provides firm and interruptible transportation 
service through the facilities. After the transfer of the facilities, 
Texas Southeastern intends to offer gathering services comparable to 
those offered by other gas gathers, at negotiated rates.
    Any questions regarding this application should be directed to R. 
David Hendrickson at (205) 325-7114 or Margaret M. Morton at (205) 325-
7354, Southern Natural Gas Company, P.O. Box 2563, Birmingham, Alabama 
35202-2563.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before July 30, 1999, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 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 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 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 Southern to appear or to be represented at 
the hearing.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-17997 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M