Applications, hearings, determinations, etc.: Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.,

[Federal Register: June 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 106)]

[Notices]

[Page 29858-29859]

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

[DOCID:fr03jn99-61]

[[Page 29858]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP99-242-000]

Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.; Application

May 27, 1999.

Take notice that on March 8, 1999, as supplemented May 19, 1999, Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company (Williston) 200 North Third Street, Suite 300, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501, filedan application pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for authorization to install and operate a leased gas compressor unit at the Billy Creek Compressor Station, Johnson County, Wyoming to enable Williston to transport natural gas to current and potential pipeline interconnection points, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).

Specifically, Williston proposes to install and operate a 1,478 horsepower Waukesha Model L7042GSI V-12 engine coupled with an Ariel JGK-4 compressor unit. Williston indicates that the compressor unit lease rental for this compressor unit is $150,000 per year and the compressor unit will be installed, operated, and maintained by Williston personnel. Williston estimates the cost of the project to be $298,321 excluding the $150,000 per year to lease the compressor unit. Williston requests that the Commission grant rolled-in rate treatment for the proposed facilities.

Williston claims that producers in the Powder River Basin have undertaken extensive drilling programs for the production of coal seam gas. Williston states that it believes the installation and operation of the proposed leased compressor will enable Williston Basin's existing pipeline capacity to be more fully utilized through increased throughput, will allow producers and shippers an avenue to move Powder River Basin coal seam gas production to pipelines interconnecting with Williston Basin's system in the most economical and environmentally sensitive manner, and will attract additional supply sources to its isolated Billy Creek-Sheridan system.

Williston indicates that on February 5, 1999, Williston posted a notice on its Electronic Bulletin Board and held an open season from February 8, 1999, through February 22, 1999, to solicit interest from shippers in utilizing the additional transportation capacity on the Billy Creek-Sheridan line section which capacity will become available as a result of the installation of the proposed leased compressor. Williston states that as of the date of the filing of its application, Williston has not consummated any definitive commitments for the additional transportation capacity that will be available as a result of the proposed compressor installation.

By letter filedMay 19, 1999, Williston supplemented its application, stating that it has consummated a precedent agreement for some of the transportation capacity that will be available as a result of the proposed compressor installation. Williston's filing included copies of the precedent agreement which Williston requests be given confidential treatment under 18 CFR 388.112 because it is competitively sensitive. Williston marked the precedent agreement ``Contains Privileged Information--Do Not Release''.

Williston states that while the precedent agreement may not represent a commitment for a substantial amount of the project's capacity and may not meet the Commission's threshold test for project capacity commitment, there are several reasons why the Commission should proceed with its review and processing of Williston's application. Williston's first reason is the minor nature of the project and the fact that it will have little economic or environmental impact. Williston's second reason is the fact that the revenue generated in the first year from the firm transportation contract to be executed based on the precedent agreement is more that 77% of the estimated first year cost of service. Williston next states that it believes that the proposal will produce system benefits by more fully utilizing its existing Bill Creek-Sheridan line section and by increasing system reliability by attracting additional gas supply sources to its pipeline system. Williston cites, as a fourth reason, its belief that the transportation market in Billy Creek-Sheridan area will continue to grow and generate additional firm and interruptible transportation revenues fully recovering the incremental cost of service associated with the project.

Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to make any protest with reference to said amendment should on or before June 17, 1999, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene or a protest 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 Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests filedwith the Commission will be considered by it in determining the appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a party in any hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules.

A person obtaining intervenor 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 every one of the intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing of any Commission order and can petition for court review of any such order. However, an intervenor must submit copies of comments or any other filing it makes with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as well as 14 copies with the Commission.

A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have comments considered. A person, instead, may submit two copies of comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of environmental documents and will be able to participate in meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Commenters will not be required to serve copies of fileddocuments on all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all documents filedby other parties or issued by the Commission and will not have the right to seek rehearing or appeal the Commission's final order to a federal court.

The Commission will consider all comments and concerns equally, whether filedby commenters or those requesting intervenor status.

Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in and subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by section 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and Commission's rules of practice and procedure, a hearing will be held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on this application if no motion to intervene is filedwithin the time required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter finds that a grant of the certificate is required by the public convenience and necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or

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if the Commission on its own motion believes that a formal hearing is required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given.

Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, it will be unnecessary for Williston to appear or be represented at the hearing. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-14023Filed6-2-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M