[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 18 (Thursday, January 29, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1468]



[[Page 5103]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 284

[Docket No. RM08-2-000; Order No. 720]


Pipeline Posting Requirements Under Section 23 of the Natural Gas 
Act

January 15, 2008.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule: Order Granting Extension of Time.

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SUMMARY: On November 20, 2008, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
issued a Final Rule in Order No. 720 which amended part 284 of its 
regulations to require, in relevant part, major non-interstate natural 
gas pipelines to post, on a daily basis, certain information regarding 
scheduled volumes in natural gas to be transported. The date for major 
non-interstate pipelines to comply with the requirements of Order No. 
720 is being extended at the request of the American Gas Association.

DATES: Compliance date: The date for major non-interstate pipelines to 
comply with Order No. 720, published in the Federal Register on 
December 2, 2008 (73 FR 73494) is extended to 150 days following the 
issuance of a Commission order on rehearing of Order No. 720.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christopher Ellsworth (Technical), Office of Enforcement, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20426, (202) 502-8228.
Gabriel Sterling (Legal), Office of Enforcement, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, 
(202) 502-8891.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Before Commissioners: Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman; Suedeen G. 
Kelly, Marc Spitzer, Philip D. Moeller, and Jon Wellinghoff.
    In the matter of: Docket No. RM08-2-000, Pipeline Posting 
Requirements under Section 23 of the Natural Gas Act.

Order Granting Extension of Time

Issued January 15, 2009

    1. On November 20, 2008, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) issued a Final Rule in Order No. 720,\1\ which amended 
Part 284 of its regulations to require, in relevant part, major non-
interstate natural gas pipelines to post, on a daily basis, certain 
information regarding scheduled volumes of natural gas to be 
transported. Major non-interstate pipelines were required to comply 
with Order No. 720 within 150 days following publication of the order 
in the Federal Register.\2\
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    \1\ Pipeline Posting Requirements under Section 23 of the 
Natural Gas Act, Order No. 720, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,283 (2008).
    \2\ Id. P 168.
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    2. On December 11, 2008, the American Gas Association (AGA) filed a 
Motion for an Extension of Time to Comply with Order No. 720. AGA 
further requested expedited treatment of its motion. Answers in support 
of the motion were subsequently filed by the Texas Pipeline Association 
(TPA), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and Shell Offshore Inc. 
(Shell). These parties seek an extension of time for major non-
interstate pipelines to comply with the requirements of Order No. 720.
    3. The Commission grants an extension of time as requested in the 
motion and supported in the answers. In particular, we find the answers 
submitted by commenters to be persuasive. The commenters argue that 
some major non-interstate pipelines will need additional time in which 
to determine which receipt and delivery points are subject to the 
posting requirements, obtain corporate approval for expenditures needed 
for compliance, and develop Internet posting systems. Additionally, we 
agree that some compliance activities may be premature prior to the 
issuance of an order on rehearing of Order No. 720.
    4. Therefore, we grant an extension of time for major non-
interstate pipelines to comply with the requirements of Order No. 720 
until 150 days following the issuance of an order addressing the 
pending requests for rehearing. We do not modify the deadline by which 
interstate pipelines must comply with the requirements of Order No. 
720. Interstate pipelines must begin posting relevant information 
regarding no-notice service within 60 days following the publication of 
Order No. 720 in the Federal Register.
    The Commission orders:
    Major non-interstate pipelines must comply with the requirements of 
Order No. 720 within 150 days following the issuance of an order on 
rehearing in this proceeding.

    By the Commission.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-1468 Filed 1-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P