[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 19747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9031]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RP00-241-000]


Public Utilities Commission of the State of California v. El Paso 
Natural Gas Company, El Paso Merchant Energy-Gas, L.P., and El Paso 
Merchant Energy Company; Notice of Complaint

April 6, 2000.
    Take notice that on April 4, 2000, pursuant to Rule 206 of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules of Practice 
and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.206, and Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act, 15 
U.S.C. 717d, the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California 
(CPUC) filed a Complaint against El Paso Natural Gas Company (El Paso) 
and its marketing affiliates, El Paso Merchant Energy-Gas, L.P. and El 
Paso Merchant Energy Company (collectively El Paso Merchant), 
challenging the justness and reasonableness and anti-competitive 
effects of three contracts between El Paso and El Paso Merchant (dated 
February 15-17, 2000) in which El Paso Merchant acquired approximately 
1220 MMcf/d of firm capacity rights on El Paso to the California 
border. The CPUC's Complaint further raises affiliate abuse issues 
relating to El Paso Merchant's acquisition and use of these capacity 
rights on El Paso.
    The CPUC specifically requests that the Commission issue an order 
terminating El Paso's contracts with El Paso Merchant, or, at a 
minimum, that the Commission require El Paso Merchant to release on a 
short-term basis any unused firm transportation rights under these 
contracts. In addition, the CPUC requests that the Commission order El 
Paso to delete restrictions (under one of the contracts) on the 
recallability of Block II capacity rights.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest this filing should 
file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, in 
accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). All such motions or 
protests must be filed on or before April 24, 2000. 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 
proceeding. 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. This 
filing may also be viewed on the Internet at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222) for assistance. Answers to the 
complaint shall also be due on or before April 24, 2000.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-9031 Filed 4-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M