[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51534-51535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24810]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP99-617-000]


Gatherco, Inc.; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order

September 17, 1999.
    Take notice that on September 10, 1999, Gatherco, Inc. (Gatherco), 
6273 Frank Avenue, North Canton, Ohio 44720, filed a petition pursuant 
to Section 207(a)(2) of the Commission's Regulations requesting that 
the Commission issue an order disclaiming jurisdiction under Section 
1(b) of the Natural Gas Act for the subject facilities to be acquired 
from Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia), known as the 
Gatherco II facilities, located in Ohio, all as more fully set forth in 
the application which is on file

[[Page 51535]]

with the Commission and open to public inspection. The application may 
be viewed on the web at www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm. Call (202) 
208-2222 for assistance.
    Concurrently with this filing, Columbia, in Docket No. CP99-616-
000, filed an application to abandon by sale certain facilities known 
as the Gatherco II facilities. The Gatherco II facilities consist of 
approximately 200 miles of pipeline ranging from 2-12 inches in 
diameter and from 0.0022 to 29.6809 miles in length, and ancillary 
facilities. Gatherco states that of the approximately 200 miles of 
lines of the subject petition, only 11.6708 miles, or less than 6% are 
greater than six inches in diameter. With the exception of four 
slightly longer lines, all of the lines are less than 7.5 miles in 
length.
    Gatherco asserts that the pressure of the lines is extremely low 
with no line having a pressure greater than 140 psig. Additionally, 
Gatherco states that there are no processing plants on the facilities 
or connected to the facilities. According to Gatherco, the subject 
certificated facilities are part of a web-type configuration of 
uncertificated gathering lines and facilities, many of which were sold 
to Gatherco by Columbia on October 31, 1997, in Docket NO. CP97-127-
000. Gatherco claims that the transfer of these additional facilities 
will simplify and enhance the existing interconnection between Gatherco 
and Columbia. Gatherco and Columbia have concluded that the Gatherco II 
facilities belong with the other 1,800 miles of gathering facilities in 
Ohio operated by Gatherco. Gatherco contends that the facilities are 
generally located upstream of processing facilities and gather gas from 
the production area for delivery to Columbia's transmission lines or to 
other points of delivery on the facilities.\1\ Gatherco contends that 
upon their transfer, the facilities will primarily perform a non-
jurisdictional gathering function. Gatherco notes that it was 
established in 1997 to acquire and operate gathering facilities in 
Ohio. Further, Gatherco states that it is not a natural gas company, it 
does not own any jurisdictional facilities, nor is it affiliated with a 
jurisdictional pipeline. Gatherco claims that it will operate the 
facilities to gather natural gas produced by Columbia's existing 
customers. Gatherco contends that it has agreed to provide service to 
Columbia's existing customers on terms and conditions acceptable to 
both Gatherco and the customers.
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    \1\ Certain of these facilities are also used to deliver gas to 
local distribution companies such as Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. 
(COH) at town border stations and directly to COH mainline tap 
consumers.
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    Any questions regarding this petition should be directed to Tony 
Kovacevich, Gatherco, Inc., 6273 Frank Avenue, N.W., North Canton, Ohio 
44720 at (330) 498-9553, or W. Jonathan Airey, Gregory D. Russell, or 
Joseph C. Blasko, Attorneys for Gatherco, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and 
Pease LLP, 52 East Gay Street, P.O. Box 1008, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1008 
at (614) 464-6400.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make a protest with reference 
to said application should, on or about October 8, 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 385.214 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 a 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 Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be held 
without further notice before the Commission 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 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 Applicant to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-24810 Filed 9-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M