[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8286-8287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4112]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP01-5-003]


Algonquin Gas Transmission Company Notice of Amendment

February 13, 2003.
    Take notice that on February 5, 2003, Algonquin Gas Transmission 
Company (Algonquin), 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056-5310, 
filed in Docket No. CP01-5-003, an application, pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and part 157 of the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission's regulations to amend the certificate of public 
convenience and necessity issued December 21, 2001, in Docket No. CP01-
5-000, as amended June 4, 2002, in Docket No. CP01-5-002, for 
Algonquin's HubLine project, as more fully described in the 
application. This filing is available for review at the Commission in 
the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``FERRIS'' link. Enter the docket 
number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to 
access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support 
at [email protected] or toll-free at (866) 208-3676, or for 
TTY, contact (202) 502-8659.
    Specifically, Algonquin requests authorization to construct 
approximately 6.64 miles of 24-inch pipeline and 0.31 miles of 8-inch 
pipeline extending from the terminus of the originally certificated 
Deer Island Lateral portion of Algonquin's HubLine project across 
Boston Harbor through portions of East Boston, Chelsea, and Everett, 
Massachusetts to a connection with Algonquin's existing J-System. 
Algonquin also proposes to construct three meter stations and other 
related facilities. Algonquin refers to the proposed new facilities as 
the Everett Extension project, while referring to the Everett Extension 
project and the Deer Island Lateral, collectively, as HubLine Phase II. 
The total cost of the HubLine Phase II facilities is estimated to be 
approximately $110 million.
    Algonquin also requests authorization to implement a revised 
initial incremental surcharge for service on the entire HubLine Phase 
II facilities in lieu of the previously approved rate for service 
solely on the Deer Island Lateral. Algonquin states that firm 
transportation service will be rendered to HubLine Phase II shippers 
pursuant to Algonquin's Rate Schedule AFT-1. Algonquin proposes no 
change to the previously approved surcharge for service on the HubLine 
mainline facilities.
    Algonquin requests that the Commission issue a final certificate 
granting the authorizations requested on or before December 15, 2003, 
in order to place the HubLine Phase II facilities into service in a 
time frame consistent with that of the shippers who have requested 
service on such facilities. Relatedly, Algonquin has requested an 
extension of the originally authorized time to construct and place into 
service the Deer Island Lateral to coincide with that of the Everett 
Extension project, thereby enabling Algonquin to construct the HubLine 
Phase II facilities at one time.
    Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Mr. 
Steven E. Tillman, General Manager, Regulatory affairs, Algonquin Gas 
Transmission Company, P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77251-1642, or call 
(713) 627-5113 or FAX (713) 627-5947.
    There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of 
this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by 
becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or 
before the comment date stated below, file with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a 
motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 
385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person 
obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by 
the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all 
documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must 
submit 14 copies of filings made with the

[[Page 8287]]

Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other 
party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for 
court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.
    However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have 
comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with 
the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and 
two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. 
The Commission will consider these comments in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will 
not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's 
rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project 
provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly 
involved in the protest.
    Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of 
this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments 
to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be 
placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive 
copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings 
associated with the Commission's environmental review process.
    Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of 
filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters 
will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or 
issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental 
documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek 
court review of the Commission's final order.
    The Commission may issue a preliminary determination on non-
environmental issues prior to the completion of its review of the 
environmental aspects of the project.
    This preliminary determination typically considers such issues as 
the need for the project and its economic effect on existing customers 
of the applicant, on other pipelines in the area, and on landowners and 
communities. For example, the Commission considers the extent to which 
the applicant may need to exercise eminent domain to obtain rights-of-
way for the proposed project and balances that against the non-
environmental benefits to be provided by the project. Therefore, if a 
person has comments on community and landowner impacts from this 
proposal, it is important either to file comments or to intervene as 
early in the process as possible.
    Protests and interventions 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 under the ``e-Filing'' link. 
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.
    If the Commission decides to set the application for a formal 
hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the Commission will issue 
another notice describing that process. At the end of the Commission's 
review process, a final Commission order approving or denying a 
certificate will be issued.
    Comment Date: March 6, 2003.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-4112 Filed 2-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P