[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58761-58762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25112]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-468-000]


El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

September 26, 2000.
    Take notice that on September 21, 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. CP00-468-000, pursuant 
to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), for permission and 
approval to abandon by removal or in place, existing pipeline 
facilities and for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to 
relocate pipeline facilities, all in Maricopa County, Arizona, 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 its existing 10\3/4\-inch Tucson-Phoenix Line 
(Line 1007) and Tucson-Phoenix Loop Line (Line 1008) traverse land that 
is currently under development by Tait Development, Inc. (Tait). It is 
indicated that Tait has advised El Paso that this development will 
involve, among other things, the construction of multi-story office 
buildings, roads, and parking lot facilities, all of which will 
encroach upon El Paso's easement and/or pipeline. It is then stated 
that, in recognition of the concerns present with an active natural gas 
pipeline in operation in the immediate construction area, the developer 
has requested El Paso to relocate the segment of pipe away from the 
construction area, and will grant El Paso a new easement adjacent to a 
road being constructed around the subdivision. El Paso states it has 
agreed to the developer's proposal, and proposes authorization to 
relocate its pipeline.
    El Paso states that, normally, this project could easily be 
accomplished under its Part 157 blanket certificate as a miscellaneous 
rearrangement under Section 157.208 of the Commission's Regulations. 
However, it is stated that Line 1007 was recently determined by the 
Arizona State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) to be eligible for 
historic designation under Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, and consequently, El Paso cannot obtain the necessary 
``no-effect'' determination required from the SHPO to permit this 
activity to be performed under the Commission's Part 157, Subpart F 
regulations.
    El Paso now seeks case specific authorization for the project 
because the historical designation given Line No. 1007 also requires 
that, as part of the Commission's processing of the application, that a 
Programmatic Agreement (PA) be developed. El Paso indicates that the PA 
is the environmental document designed to specifically address the 
protocol for any project disturbing this facility, together with agreed 
upon documentation, photographs, and studies to record the historical 
aspects of the facility. El Paso also indicates that, based on the 
circumstances surrounding the project, it seeks expedited processing of 
the application, with the use of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) rather 
than a PA and for the issuance of an order approving the project prior 
to October 15, 2000. El Paso estimates total project costs of $175,122, 
to be reimbursed 50 percent by the developer.
    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 6, 2000, file with the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 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

[[Page 58762]]

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. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-25112 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M