Natural Gas Pipelines; Project Cost and Annual Limits

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 34 (Monday, February 22, 2016)

Federal Register Volume 81, Number 34 (Monday, February 22, 2016)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 8644-8645

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2016-03507

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 157

Docket No. RM81-19-000

Natural Gas Pipelines; Project Cost and Annual Limits

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authority delegated by 18 CFR 375.308(x)(1), the Director of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP) computes and publishes the project cost and annual limits for natural gas pipelines blanket construction certificates for each calendar year.

DATES: This final rule is effective February 22, 2016 and establishes cost limits applicable from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marsha K. Palazzi, Chief, Certificates Branch 2, Division of Pipeline Certificates, (202) 502-6785.

Section 157.208(d) of the Commission's Regulations provides for project cost limits applicable to construction, acquisition, operation and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities (Table I) authorized under the blanket certificate procedure (Order No. 234, 19 FERC 61,216). Section 157.215(a) specifies the calendar year dollar limit which may be expended on underground storage testing and development (Table II) authorized under the blanket certificate. Section 157.208(d) requires that the ``limits specified in Tables I and II shall be adjusted each calendar year to reflect the `GDP implicit price deflator' published by the Department of Commerce for the previous calendar year.''

Pursuant to 375.308(x)(1) of the Commission's Regulations, the authority for the publication of such cost limits, as adjusted for inflation, is delegated to the Director of the Office of Energy Projects. The cost limits for calendar year 2014, as published in Table I of 157.208(d) and Table II of Sec. 157.215(a), are hereby issued.

Effective Date

This final rule is effective February 22, 2016. The provisions of 5 U.S.C. 804 regarding Congressional review of Final Rules does not apply to the Final Rule because the rule concerns agency procedure and practice and will not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties. The Final Rule merely updates amounts published in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the Department of Commerce's latest annual determination of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) implicit price deflator, a mathematical updating required by the Commission's existing regulations.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 157

Administrative practice and procedure, Natural gas, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Issued: February 11, 2016.

Ann Miles,

Director, Office of Energy Projects.

Accordingly, 18 CFR part 157 is amended as follows:

PART 157--AMENDED

0

  1. The authority citation for Part 157 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 717-717w, 3301-3432; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352.

    0

  2. Table I in Sec. 157.208(d) is revised to read as follows:

    Sec. 157.208 Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

    * * * * *

    (d) * * *

    Table I

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    Limit

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    Year Auto. proj. Prior notice

    cost limit proj. cost

    (Col.1) limit (Col.2)

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    1982 $4,200,000 $12,000,000

    Page 8645

    1983 4,500,000 12,800,000

    1984 4,700,000 13,300,000

    1985 4,900,000 13,800,000

    1986 5,100,000 14,300,000

    1987 5,200,000 14,700,000

    1988 5,400,000 15,100,000

    1989 5,600,000 15,600,000

    1990 5,800,000 16,000,000

    1991 6,000,000 16,700,000

    1992 6,200,000 17,300,000

    1993 6,400,000 17,700,000

    1994 6,600,000 18,100,000

    1995 6,700,000 18,400,000

    1996 6,900,000 18,800,000

    1997 7,000,000 19,200,000

    1998 7,100,000 19,600,000

    1999 7,200,000 19,800,000

    2000 7,300,000 20,200,000

    2001 7,400,000 20,600,000

    2002 7,500,000 21,000,000

    2003 7,600,000 21,200,000

    2004 7,800,000 21,600,000

    2005 8,000,000 22,000,000

    2006 9,600,000 27,400,000

    2007 9,900,000 28,200,000

    2008 10,200,000 29,000,000

    2009 10,400,000 29,600,000

    2010 10,500,000 29,900,000

    2011 10,600,000 30,200,000

    2012 10,800,000 30,800,000

    2013 11,000,000 31,400,000

    2014 11,200,000 31,900,000

    2015 11,400,000 32,300,000

    2016 11,600,000 32,800,000

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    * * * * *

    0

  3. Table II in Sec. 157.215(a)(5) is revised to read as follows:

    Sec. 157.215 Underground storage testing and development.

    (a) * * *

    (5) * * *

    Table II

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    Year Limit

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  4. $2,700,000

  5. 2,900,000

  6. 3,000,000

  7. 3,100,000

  8. 3,200,000

  9. 3,300,000

  10. 3,400,000

  11. 3,500,000

  12. 3,600,000

  13. 3,800,000

  14. 3,900,000

  15. 4,000,000

  16. 4,100,000

  17. 4,200,000

  18. 4,300,000

  19. 4,400,000

  20. 4,500,000

  21. 4,550,000

  22. 4,650,000

  23. 4,750,000

  24. 4,850,000

  25. 4,900,000

  26. 5,000,000

  27. 5,100,000

  28. 5,250,000

  29. 5,400,000

  30. 5,550,000

  31. 5,600,000

  32. 5,700,000

  33. 5,750,000

  34. 5,850,000

  35. 6,000,000

  36. 6,100,000

  37. 6,200,000

  38. 6,300,000

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    FR Doc. 2016-03507 Filed 2-19-16; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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