[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 87 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25914-25915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11076]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-196-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Application

April 28, 2000.
    Take notice that on April 19, 2000, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation (Transco), Post Office Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, 
filed in Docket No. CP00-196-000 an application pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for a certificate of public 
convenience and necessity authorizing Transco to construct and operate 
certain facilities at Compressor Station No. 90 in Marengo County, 
Alabama to comply with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, all as 
more fully set forth in the application which is 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).
    Any questions regarding the application should be directed to 
Alfred E. White, Jr., Senior Attorney, Transcontinental Gas Pipe 
Corporation, Post Office Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251 or call (713) 
215-2000.
    Transco states that the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and state 
implementation plans pursuant thereto require certain reductions of 
NOX (oxides of nitrogen) air emissions at certain of 
Transco's compressor stations. Accordingly, over the next few years 
Transco plans to install certain facilities at these stations to 
achieve the reductions of NOX. Transco plans to install 
these facilities pursuant to Transco's blanket facilities certificate 
issued in Docket No. CP82-426 when it is authorized to do so (either 
under automatic or prior notice authorization, depending on the 
estimated dollar amount). However, at the stations where the estimated 
total cost of installing these facilities is more than $20.2 million, 
Transco states that it is not authorized to perform such work pursuant 
to its blanket facilities certificate and, therefore, is required to 
file an application for a certificate of public convenience and 
necessity (such is the case with the instant application).
    Transco states that proposes to modify several of its existing 
reciprocating engines at Compressor Station No. 90 in order to comply 
with the State of Alabama plan to implement the Clean Air Act 
Amendments of 1990. Station 90 has 17 units including 15 reciprocating/
compressor units, one Solar Centaur gas turbine and one Solar Mars gas 
turbine driven centrifugal compressor unit. The facilities at Station 
90 are located within a fenced area of approximately 58 acres.
    Transco states that it plans to install turbochargers and 
associated equipment on 9 of the 15 reciprocating engines in order to 
reduce NOX emissions. These engines currently do not have 
turbochargers on them. Transco plans to modify the existing 
turbochargers at the other 6 reciprocating units to increase their 
capacity and install associated equipment in order to reduce 
NOX emissions. At all 15 engines emissions will be reduced 
by achieving a true lean air-fuel ratio, injecting high pressure fuel 
directly into the power cylinders and making other engine adjustments. 
The injection of high pressure fuel directly into the power cylinders 
significantly improves the combustion process by producing a more 
homogeneous mixture of air and fuel within the power cylinder. The true 
lean air-fuel ratio coupled with the high pressure fuel injection works 
by promoting stable combustion characteristics and thus reduces the 
formation of NOX.
    Transco states the 9 engines which will have turbochargers 
installed will have the potential to perform above their current 
operating horsepower. However, since Station 90 is automated, it is 
stated that Transco has the ability to shut down other engines or 
reduce their load to ensure that the station will not operate above the 
station's total certificated horsepower. Since Transco will install 
these turbochargers at Station 90 solely to achieve an environmental 
improvement i.e., lower NOX emissions, Transco states that 
it has no intent or need to operate the station above its certificated 
horsepower. Therefore, when Transco installs these turbochargers at 
Station 90 Transco states that it will adjust the automation program at 
the station so that it will not operate above its certificated 
horsepower.
    At the other 6 engines, Transco states that modification of the 
existing turbochargers to increase their capacity

[[Page 25915]]

will not create the potential of these engines performing above their 
current horsepower because the engines are already operating at maximum 
horsepower and cannot operate at a higher horsepower output. 
Accordingly, it is stated that there will be no increase in the 
capacity of Transco's system in the vicinity of the station as a result 
of installing the 9 new turbochargers and modifying the 6 existing 
turbochargers.
    Transco states that installation of new turbochargers and 
modifications to existing ones at Station 90 will require some work to 
be done outside of the compressor building. All of the proposed work 
described above will be built within 50 feet of existing station 
facilities and will be done within the confines of previously disturbed 
areas. Approximately 0.7 acre of previously disturbed ground will be 
affected by the proposed project. Restoration of this area will be 
conducted according to the Commission's Upland Erosion Control, 
Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan.
    Transco estimates that the proposed modifications will cost $24.5 
million. Transco states that a state air permit will be negotiated with 
the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
    Transco states that the construction and operation of the proposed 
facilities will have no significant impact on the quality of human 
health or the environment other than the positive impact of reducing 
NOX emissions. The proposed facilities will be installed 
either entirely within existing buildings or within 50 feet of existing 
station facilities (and within the confines of previously disturbed 
areas). Transco certifies that the proposed facilities will be 
designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with all 
applicable safety standards and plans for maintenance and inspection.
    Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to 
make any protest with reference to said application should on or before 
May 19, 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 385.214 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 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 
directory involved. Any person wishing to become a party to a 
proceeding or the participate as a party in any hearing therein must 
file a motion to intervene in accordance with 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 filing it makes 
with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as 
well as 14 copies with the Commission.
    A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have 
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 
and 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 of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be 
held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on 
this application if not motion to intervene is filed within the time 
required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter 
finds that a grant of the certificate 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 provided for, unless otherwise advised, it will 
be unnecessary for Transco to appear or be represented at the hearing.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-11076 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M