[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 185 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57328-57329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24354]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-458-000]


El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

September 18, 2000.
    Take notice that on September 12, 2000, El Paso Natural Gas Company 
(El Paso), whose mailing address is Post Office Box 1492, El Paso, 
Texas, 79978, filed an application at Docket No. CP00-458-000, pursuant 
to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), for permission and 
approval to abandon by transfer to its affiliate, El Paso Field 
Services Company, certain compression facilities in San Juan County, 
New Mexico, 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.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-
208-2222).
    El Paso states that on August 18, 1999, Williams Field Services 
Group, Inc. (Williams) filed a complaint in Docket No. RP99-471-000 
alleging that compression facilities at El Paso's Blanco Compressor 
Station in San Juan County, New Mexico were providing a 
nonjurisdictional gathering service and were improperly classified as 
transmission facilities. El Paso states that the Blanco Station 
includes three distinct sets of compressors: the ``A'', ``C'', and 
``D'' plants totaling approximately 91,010 horsepower. It is indicated 
that by order issued on November 10, 1999, the Commission found that 
the ``A'' plant was properly functionalized as transmission, but that 
the ``C'' and ``D'' plants should be functionalized as gathering. El 
Paso states that the Commission denied all requests by order issued 
April 25, 2000, and counseled El Paso to file for an application to 
abandon the two plants.
    El Paso is filing this application in recognition of the 
Commission's suggestion in the April 25, 2000, order. In support of why 
this abandonment is in the public convenience and necessity, El Paso 
states that the abandonment of the Blanco ``C'' and ``D'' plants by 
transfer to its affiliate will provide for a smooth, seamless

[[Page 57329]]

transition of services without any interruption of service or rate 
stacking, which would occur if the facilities were transferred to a 
third party. El Paso further asserts that the abandonment is consistent 
with the previously-approved El Paso spin-down of facilities to Field 
Services. Also, El Paso indicates that it is its understanding that, 
upon transfer of the two compressor units, Field Services will continue 
to deliver, at a new custody meter transfer point downstream of the 
``C'' and ``D'' plant facilities, the same volumes of natural gas at 
the required mainline pressures as before the abandonment.
    Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Mr. 
A.W. Clark at (915) 496-2600.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make protest with reference 
to said application should on or before October 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 385.211 or 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 directly involved. 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 jurisdiction conferred upon the Commission by Sections 7 
and 15 of the NGA 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 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.

David P. Boerers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-24354 Filed 9-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M