[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39610-39611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16125]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-387-000]


PNM Gas Services, a Division of Public Service Company of New 
Mexico, and PNM Electric and Gas Services, Inc.; Notice of Application

June 21, 2000.
    Take notice that on June 13, 2000, PNM Electric and Gas Services, 
Inc. (UtilityCo) and PNM Gas Services, A Division of Public Service 
Company of New Mexico (PNM), collectively referred to as applicants, 
both at Alvarda Square, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87158, jointly filed 
an application in the above referenced docket pursuant to Section 7 of 
the Natural Gas Act to allow PNM to transfer its one-third undivided 
interest in certain natural gas facilities, designated as the Blanco 
Hub, to

[[Page 39611]]

UtilityCo, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on 
file with the Commission and which is open to the public for 
inspection. The filing may be viewed at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).
    Applicants state their filing is being made in connection with the 
corporate reorganization of Public Service Company of New Mexico 
mandated by the state of New Mexico's Electric Utility Industry 
Restructuring Act of 1999 (Restructuring Act). Applicants further state 
the purpose and substantive effect of their proposals will be to permit 
the PNM corporate family to continue to conduct the same business 
activity previously authorized by the Commission but using new 
corporate entities required by the Restructuring Act. Thus, UtilityCo 
is not seeking in Docket No. CP00-387-000 any authorizations that are 
different from those currently held by PNM. In addition, the applicants 
state that there will be no change in rates charged by UtilityCo.
    Pursuant to Section 7(b) of the NGA and Part 157 of the 
Commission's Regulations, PNM seeks approval to abandon by sale and 
conveyance to UtilityCo its one-third interest in the Blanco Hub 
facilities. At the same time, UtilityCo requests that the Commission 
grant it a certificate of public convenience and necessity asserting 
only limited jurisdiction over UtilityCo's acquired interest in the 
Blanco Hub. The filing indicates that UtilityCo will acquire this 
interest at net book value. In addition, PNM requests that the 
Commission: (1) Determine that UtilityCo may own and use its share of 
the Blanco Hub without jeopardizing its Hinshaw exemption; (2) 
authorize UtilityCo to participate in any additional construction or 
changes that Northwest and Transwestern are authorized to make under 
their respective blanket authorizations to the same extent as if 
UtilityCo held such blanket authorization; \1\ and (3) waive all 
reporting, filing, and accounting requirements that normally apply to 
natural gas companies to the extent UtilityCo uses its interest in the 
facilities for transportation or sales under either its Subpart G 
blanket certificate or its marketing certificate.\2\
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    \1\ In order to permit UtilityCo to construct, own, and operate 
its pro rata share of any additional facilities that may be added to 
the Blanco Hub, UtilityCo requests the Commission grant UtiliyCo the 
same limited blanket authorization that was granted to PNM. See 59 
FERC at 62,493.
    \2\ On June 13, 2000, PNM and UtilityCo concurrently filed a 
joint application in Docket No. CP00-388-000 requesting among other 
things a blanket certificate for UtilityCo authorizing it to 
transport and sell natural gas in interstate commerce pursuant to 
sections 311 and 312 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA).
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    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before July 10, 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 and 385.211). 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.
    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 
and subject to 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 no 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 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 Applicants to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-16125 Filed 6-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M