[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 69 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18984-18985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8751]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP98-717-001]


El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

April 4, 2000.
    Take notice that on March 28, 2000, El Paso Natural Gas Company (El 
Paso), Post Office Box 1492, El Paso, Texas 79978, filed an application 
in Docket No. CP98-717-001, pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas 
Act and Rule 215 of the Commission's Regulations, requesting the 
Commission to amend the authorization to abandon facilities granted by 
the Commission's order issued January 15, 1999 at Docket No. CP98-717-
000, all as more fully described in the application on file with the 
Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may be viewed on 
the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 
for assistance).
    El Paso states that in the January 15, 1999 order, the Commission 
granted El Paso permission and approval to abandon, by removal, to the 
extent practicable, three segments totaling approximately 49.16 miles, 
of El Paso's 12\3/4\" O.D. El Paso-Douglas Loop Line (Line No. 1005), 
with appurtenances, located in Dona Ana and Luna Counties, New Mexico, 
Also, in the January 15, 1999 order, the Commission directed El Paso to 
file monthly status reports to describe the abandonment activities, 
including whether pipe was abandoned by removal or in place. El Paso 
has filed three status reports on January 12, February 11, and March 
13, 2000.
    El Paso further states that, as set forth in El Paso's application 
and responses to data requests filed in Docket No. CP98-717-000, El 
Paso intended to abandon the segments of pipeline by removal to the 
extent practicable since there may be certain areas where it is deemed 
more practicable to abandon the pipeline in place. El Paso indicated 
that areas where it may be necessary to abandon in place: pipeline 
underlying agricultural land; canal and drain crossings; road 
crossings; railroad crossings; or any area where the landowner 
specifies abandonment in place.
    El Paso states that in the status report filed February 11, 2000, 
El Paso informed the Commission that El Paso had determined it was more 
practicable to abandon most of the pipe by transfer to El Paso's 
affiliate. El Paso Energy Communications (EPECC) for use as fiber 
optics conduit.
    By letter dated March 8, 2000, the Office of Energy Projects 
directed El Paso to file an application seeking an amendment to its 
Section 7(b) authorization to reflect the new proposal for abandonment 
of the three segments of Line No. 1005 totaling 49.16 miles. 
Accordingly, El Paso is requesting amended abandonment authorization 
for approximately 44.0 miles of Line No. 1005 by transfer to EPECC for 
use as fiber optics conduit. The remaining portion of such line 
consisting of approximately 5.16 miles will be abandoned in place.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before April 25, 2000, 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. The Commission's Rules require that protestors 
provide copies of their protests to the party or parties against whom 
the protests are directed. 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.
    A person obtaining intervenor status will be placed on the service 
list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive 
copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by every one of the 
intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing of any Commission 
order and can petition for court review of any such order. However, an 
intervenor must submit copies of comments or any other filings it makes 
with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as 
well as an original and 14 copies with the Commission.
    A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have 
environmental comments considered. A person, instead, may submit two 
copies of comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Commenters will 
be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive 
copies of environmental documents and will be able to participate in 
meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. 
Commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on 
all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all 
documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission and will 
not have the right to seek rehearing or appeal the Commission's final 
order to a federal court.
    The Commission will consider all comments and concerns equally, 
whether filed by commenters or those requesting intervenor status.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
the subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
the Commission's Rules and Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be 
held without further notice before the

[[Page 18985]]

Commission or its designee on this application is no motion to 
intervene is filed within the time required herein, if the Commission 
on its own review of the matter finds that the requested 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 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 El Paso to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-8751 Filed 4-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M