Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.: Equitrans, L.P., et al.,

[Federal Register: May 31, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 105)]

[Notices]

[Page 38088-38089]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr31my02-67]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP02-233-000]

Equitrans, L.P., Carnegie Interstate Pipeline Company; Notice of Application

May 24, 2002.

On May 20, 2002, the affiliated interstate natural gas pipelines, Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) and Carnegie Interstate Pipeline Company (CIPCO), located at 100 and 150 Allegheny Center Mall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212-5331, respectively, tendered for filing an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for authorization permitting Equitrans to acquire and operate by merger CIPCO's gas pipeline services and facilities, and for authorization permitting CIPCO to abandon such services and facilities, all as more fully explained in the application. Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket #'' and follow the instructions (call (202) 208-2222 for assistance).

[[Page 38089]]

Any questions regarding this application should be directed to Fredrick K. Dalena, Vice President, Administration, Equitrans, L.P., 100 Allegheny Center Mall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, at (412) 395-3270.

Applicants state that no new construction is proposed in the application. Further, Applicants state that upon Commission approval of the application, Equitrans proposes to operate the merged facilities under the open access provisions of its existing FERC Gas Tariff. Applicants state that the merger will be reflected at the net utility plant balance of the CIPCO assets to be merged into Equitrans.

Applicants state that Equitrans' existing customers will experience no impact on the settlement rates that are currently in effect. Applicants further state that the transportation services performed by the merged facilities will continue to be charged the same rate as under CIPCO's current FERC Gas Tariff until Equitrans' next general section 4 rate proceeding, which is required by settlement to be filed in 2003. Accordingly, CIPCO's existing customers also will not experience any impact on the currently effective rates.

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this abandonment. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this abandonment should, on or before June 14, 2002, 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 filedby the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the 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 abandonment. 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 abandonment 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 abandonment 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 filedby 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.

Comments, protests and interventions may be filedelectronically 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.

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 the application will be issued.

Magalie R. Salas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 02-13660Filed5-30-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P