[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8579-8580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2718]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP01-71-000]


Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation; Notice of Application

January 26, 2001.
    Take notice that on January 23, 2001, Texas Eastern Transmission 
Corporation (Texas Eastern), 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 
77056-5310, in Docket No. CP01-71-000 an application pursuant to 
Sections 7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and 
approval for Texas Eastern to construct, own, operate, and maintain 
certain replacement compressor facilities and to abandon the compressor 
facilities being replaced due to the age and condition of the 
facilities, located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 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).
    Texas Eastern proposes to replace an existing 10,500 horsepower 
(HP) Pratt and Whitney aeroderivative gas turbine compressor unit at 
the Delmont Compressor Station, currently consisting of 12 compressor 
units, totaling 43,600 HP, located in Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania, with a 13,300 HP Solar Mars 100S gas turbine compressor 
unit, and to abandon by removal of the existing compressor unit. Texas 
Eastern states that the proposed facilities will result in minor 
modifications to existing aboveground gas piping. Therefore, in 
addition, Texas Eastern proposes to construct auxiliary equipment, 
including: (a) An outdoor lube oil cooler, (b) a turbine exhaust 
silencer, (c) a turbine air intake filter system including an in-duct 
dissipative-type silencer, and (d) a new control building and controls.
    Texas Eastern states that it constructed the existing unit in 1962, 
under the authority granted by the Commission's predecessor, the 
Federal Power Commission, in Docket No. CP61-203 (28 FPC 1035). Texas 
Eastern indicates that replacement of the existing unit is necessary to 
continue reliability of service to customers in accordance with their 
firm contract rights, provide additional flexibility to support non-
firm contract rights, and to reduce the downtime of the existing gas 
turbine. Texas Eastern states that due to its age and deterioration, 
the existing unit needs to be replaced to ensure continued reliability 
of firm service. Texas Eastern asserts that replacement parts for the 
unit are no longer readily available, making repairs and maintenance 
difficult. Texas Eastern indicates that the replacement proposed is 
necessary to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of their 
system and to maintain service to firm customers at existing contracted 
levels.
    Texas Eastern states that it selected the new 13,300 HP unit rather 
than a 10,950 HP unit because the larger turbine will result in lower 
fuel consumption per HP and lower installed costs per HP than the 
smaller turbine. Texas Eastern asserts that the incremental increase in 
cost associated with using the larger turbine rather than the smaller 
turbine is approximately 5 percent of the total project cost. Texas 
Eastern indicates that due to the higher HP associated with the new 
unit, they will experience a slight increase in capacity on its 
mainline. Texas Eastern states that the slight increase in capacity is 
an ancillary benefit related to the decision to obtain the benefits of 
a larger compressor for its customers and not an effort to expand its 
mainline system. Texas Eastern asserts that the increase does not 
affect or change the firm rights existing customers have on its system, 
but will provide additional flexibility to the system that may support 
interruptible services.
    Texas Eastern states that the total estimated cost for the proposed 
replacement 13,300 HP turbine compressor unit and related facilities 
(including associated construction and installation costs) and 
abandonment by removal of the existing facilities is approximately 
$13,978,000. Texas Eastern states that the proposed age and condition 
replacement and the benefits it provides to existing customers in 
overall reliability, flexibility, and efficiency to the system, 
qualifies for rolled-in rate treatment under the Commission's Statement 
of Policy, 88 FERC Paragraph 61,227 (1999) and consistent with other 
cases approved by the Commission. Therefore, Texas Eastern requests all 
project costs should be permitted roll-in treatment in Texas Eastern's 
next rate case.
    Any questions regarding the application should be directed to 
Steven E. Tillman, Director, Regulatory Affairs, at (713) 627-5044, 
(713) 627-5947 (FAX), Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation, P.O. Box 
1642, Houston, Texas 77251-1642.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said Application should on or before February 16, 2001, 
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 wit the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedure (18 CFR 85.211 or 18 CFR 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. 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. Comments and 
protests may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. 
See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the 
Commission's web site at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.

[[Page 8580]]

    Take further notice that pursuant to the authority contained in and 
subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the 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 petition 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 abandonment 
is required by the public convenience and necessity. If a petition 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 Applicant to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-2718 Filed 1-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M