[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 219 (Monday, November 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67721-67722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28975]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Availability of 
a Financial Assistance Solicitation

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of availability of a financial assistance solicitation.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the intent to issue Financial 
Assistance Solicitation No. DE-PS26-00NT41003 entitled ``Infrastructure 
Reliability for Natural Gas.'' Natural gas consumption in the U.S. is 
projected to reach or exceed 32 trillion cubic feet (TCF) per year by 
2020, increasing from 22 TCF per year in 1997. In addition, potential 
lower emission targets for greenhouse gases could even increase the 
demand for natural gas as high as 35 TCF per year. Maintaining the 
integrity and efficiency of the gas infrastructure may be the most 
important challenge to achieving a substantial increase in gas 
deliverability given the age of the existing pipelines. Technological

[[Page 67722]]

advances in materials, tools and operations will be needed to maintain 
the throughput of the current infrastructure and expansion for future 
system demands.

DATES: The solicitation will be available on the DOE/NETL's Internet 
address at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business on or about November 9, 
2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Crystal A. Sharp, Contract Specialist 
MS IO7, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology 
Laboratory, P.O. Box 880, 3610 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown, WV 
26507-0880, E-mail Address: [email protected], Telephone Number: 304-
285-4442.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the National Gas 
Infrastructure Reliability program is to fund research which encourages 
and promotes research and development efforts resulting in the 
development of technology which will place the necessary tools and 
materials into the hands of those who maintain and enhance the 
integrity and operational reliability of the Nation's natural gas 
transmission and distribution network. DOE is requesting proposals 
which support technology developments in the areas of both natural gas 
transmission and distribution infrastructure. Specifically, proposals 
are requested under the following topic areas:
    1. The development of technology to ensure the integrity and 
reliability of the design, construction and operation of the natural 
gas transmission infrastructure;
    2. The development of technology to ensure the integrity and 
reliability of the design, construction and operation of the natural 
gas distribution infrastructure; and
    3. The development of technology which may crosscut topics 1 and 2.
    It is anticipated that there will be multiple awards resulting from 
this solicitation. DOE has determined that a minimum cost share of 35% 
of the total cost is required for this solicitation research. At 
current planning levels, and subject to the availability of funds, DOE 
expects to provide up to approximately $10,000,000 to support work 
under this solicitation.
    Prospective applicants who would like to be notified as soon as the 
solicitation is available should register at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business. Provide your E-mail address and click on the ``Oil and Gas'' 
technology choice located under the heading ``Fossil Energy.'' Once you 
subscribe, you will receive an announcement by E-mail that the 
solicitation has been released to the public.
    Telephone requests, written requests, E-mail requests, or facsimile 
requests for a copy of the solicitation package will not be accepted 
and/or honored. Applications must be prepared and submitted in 
accordance with the instructions and forms contained in the 
solicitation. The actual solicitation document will allow for requests 
for explanation and/or interpretation.

    Issued in Morgantown, WV on November 2, 2000.
Randolph L. Kesling,
Director, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 00-28975 Filed 11-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P