[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10980-10981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4207]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 284

[Docket No. RM96-1-015]


Standards For Business Practices Of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines

February 14, 2001.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy.

ACTION: Notice of staff conference organization.

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SUMMARY: This document establishes the organizational format for the 
staff conference to be held on February 27, 2001 to discuss standards 
to permit shippers to designate and rank the contracts under which gas 
will flow on a pipeline's system.

DATES: The conference will be held February 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington DC 20426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Goldenberg, Office of the 
General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice Organizing Staff Conference

    This notice provides the organizational format for the February 27, 
2001, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff conference to discuss 
cross-contract ranking and confirmation standards, as directed by the 
Commission in Order No. 587-M.\1\ The conference will begin at 9:30 
a.m. at the Commission's offices, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, 
DC. All interested persons are invited to attend.
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    \1\ Standards For Business Practices Of Interstate Natural Gas 
Pipelines, Order No. 587-M, 65 FR 77285 (Dec. 11, 2000), 93 FERC 
para. 61,223 (November 30, 2000), III FERC Stats. & Regs. 
Regulations Preambles para. 31,114 (Nov. 30, 2000).
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    The December 21, 2000, Notice of Conference \2\ requested those 
interested in making presentations or participating in the discussions 
to indicate their interest by January 16, 2001. Ten requests to make 
presentations or participate in discussions were received. The 
conference will be organized in the following format. Members of the 
audience also will be permitted to participate in the discussions.
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    \2\ 65 FR 82961 (Dec. 29, 2000).
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 I. Introduction to Nomination and Confirmation Practices and the 
Current GISB Standards

Presentations:
    Sylvia Munson, Co-Chairman of GISB Confirmation and Cross-Contract 
Ranking Subcommittee
    James Buccigross, Chairman of GISB Executive Committee

II. Presentations and Discussion on Downstream Issues Related to 
Cross-Contract Ranking

Presentations:
    Representative of Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc. and Orange 
and Rockland Utilities, Inc.
    Representative of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
    Michael E. Novak, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.
    Greg Lander, Principal, Skipping Stone, Inc.
Discussion:
    Mark A. Scheel, Manager Regulatory Affairs, Dynegy, Inc.
    Diane McVicker, Principal Analyst, Salt River Project 
Representative of Wisconsin Distributor Group

III. Presentations and Discussion on Upstream Issues Related to 
Cross-Contract Ranking

Presentations:
    Lauren Kaestner, Natural Gas Supply Association
    Representative of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Discussion:
    Tommie Hartmann, Natural Gas Supply Association

    The Commission has the capability to provide overhead projectors 
and to display computer generated slide presentations. Presenters must 
inform Michael Goldenberg either by mail, or E-Mail at the addresses 
below if they intend to use overheads.\3\ Presenters can bring their 
presentations on their own laptops which will be connected to the 
Commission's display system. Presenters also can use a Commission 
computer to display their presentation. The Commission has the 
capability to display presentations in the following formats, MS 
Powerpoint 2000 and Corel Presentations 8. Those wanting to use a 
Commission computer must notify Michael Goldenberg by February 21, 
2001. In order to facilitate such presentations, presenters are 
encouraged to provide their files in advance by sending an E-Mail, with 
the slide presentation as an attachment, by February 21, 2001, to 
Michael Goldenberg, so that the presentation can be tested on the 
Commission computer and available at the conference. If presentations 
are not provided in advance, the presenter should bring the 
presentation to the conference on a diskette in one of the specified 
formats.
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    \3\ Upon receipt of each E-Mail, a reply acknowledgment will be 
sent to the sender's E-Mail address. If a sender does not receive a 
reply, the sender should call to make sure his/her E-Mail was 
received.
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    In addition, all presentations must be officially filed with the 
Commission by March 5, 2001 according to the instructions given below 
regardless whether an advance copy of the presentation was provided by 
E-Mail. As discussed below, the Commission cannot currently accept 
Powerplant or Presentation files electronically, but the presentations 
can be filed electronically if they are converted to one of the 
accepted formats.
    The conference will be transcribed, so those not attending can 
review the proceedings. Additional comments on the issues raised by the 
conference can be filed by March 29, 2001.
    Presentations and after-conference comments may be filed either in 
paper format or electronically. Those filing electronically do not need 
to make a paper filing. For paper filings, the original and 14 copies 
of such comments should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington 
DC 20426 and should refer to Docket No. RM96-1-015.
    Presentations and comments filed via the Internet must be prepared 
in WordPerfect, MS Word, Portable Document Format, or ASCII format. To 
file the document, access the Commission's website at www.ferc.fed.us 
and click on ``Make An E-Filing,'' and then follow the instructions for 
each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name and 
password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgment to the 
sender's E-Mail address upon receipt of comments.
    User assistance for electronic filing is available at 202-208-0258 
or by E-Mail to [email protected]. Comments should not be submitted 
to the E-Mail address. All comments will be placed in the Commission's 
public files and will be available for inspection in the Commission's 
Public Reference Room at 888 First Street, NE., Washington DC 20426, 
during regular business hours. Additionally, all comments may be

[[Page 10981]]

viewed, printed, or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC's 
Homepage using the RIMS link. User assistance for RIMS is available at 
202-208-2222, or by E-Mail to [email protected].
    The Capitol Connection offers all Open and special FERC meetings 
live over the Internet as well as via telephone and satellite. For a 
reasonable fee, you can receive these meetings in your office, at home 
or anywhere in the world. To find out more about The Capitol 
Connection's live Internet, phone bridge, or satellite coverage, 
contact David Reininger or Julia Morelli at 703-993-3100 or visit the 
website (www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu). The Capitol Connection also 
offers FERC Open Meetings through its Washington, DC area television 
service.
    In addition, National Narrowcast Network's Hearing-On-The-Line 
service covers all FERC meetings live by telephone so that interested 
persons can listen at their desks, from their homes, or from any phone, 
without special equipment. Billing is based on time on-line. Call 202-
966-2211.
    Those interested in obtaining transcripts of the conference need to 
contact Ace Federal Reporters, at 202-347-3700. Anyone interested in 
purchasing videotapes of the meeting should call VISCOM at 703-715-
7999.
    Questions about the conference should be directed to: Michael 
Goldenberg, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, 202-208-2294. 
[email protected]

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-4207 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M