[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 63855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27337]



[[Page 63855]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP01-10-000]


Williams Gas Pipelines Central, Inc.; Notice of Application

October 19, 2000.
    Take notice that on October 12, 2000, Williams Gas Pipelines 
Central, Inc. (Williams), 3800 Frederica Street, Owensboro, Kentucky 
42301, filed in Docket No. CP01-10-000 an application pursuant to 
sections 7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for permission and 
approval for Williams to construct and operate certain replacement 
natural gas facilities and to abandon the facilities being replaced due 
to the age and condition of the facilities, located in Anderson County 
and Franklin County, Kansas, 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).
    Williams proposes to abandon by removal seven 1,000 horsepower (HP) 
Cooper Type 22 horizontal compressor units and auxiliary equipment 
supporting these compressors including station piping at its Ottawa 
Compressor Station, located in Franklin County, Kansas. Williams also 
proposes to construct and operate one 6,107 HP (ISO Rated) Solar 
Centaur 50 turbine/compressor package and supporting appurtenant 
equipment at its Welda Compressor Station located in Anderson County, 
Kansas, in replacement of the units proposed to be abandoned at its 
Ottawa station.
    Williams states that the seven horizontal compressor units proposed 
for replacement were originally constructed in the late 1920's and 
early 1930's and were placed in service in the 1940's pursuant to 
Williams' (formerly Cities Service Gas Company) ``grandfather'' 
certificate in Docket No. G-298 (4 FPC 471). Williams declares that it 
has experienced rising maintenance costs associated with the seven 
horizontal compressors at the Ottawa station and it has become 
increasingly difficult to obtain replacement parts for these compressor 
units due to their age.
    Williams states that during the withdrawal season, the Ottawa and 
Welda compressor stations work in tandem to pull gas from the North 
Welda, South Welda, and Colony storage fields (Welda storage complex). 
Williams declares that gas withdrawals from the Welda storage complex 
feed into a common intake at the Welda Compressor Station where the gas 
is compressed and discharged into Williams' Welda-Ottawa 20-inch and 
26-inch pipeline systems and recompressed at the Ottawa station for 
transport to markets north and east of Ottawa.
    Williams asserts that the certificated MAOP of the Welda-Ottawa 20-
inch pipeline is 690 psig. Williams states that during periods of peak 
withdrawal, they have been unable to discharge from the Welda station 
into the Ottawa-Welda 20-inch line at the certificated MAOP for 
transport of gas toward the Ottawa station.
    Williams asserts that the efficiency and reliability of the Welda 
and Ottawa stations is critical for Williams to continue to meet 
customer obligations. Williams declares that the granting of the 
proposal will gain operating efficiency and reliability along this 
segment of the Williams pipeline system by reducing maintenance costs 
of vintage compressors and by restoring operating pressure capabilities 
at their designed and approved pressure capabilities.
    Williams asserts that the estimated cost for the proposed turbine 
and auxiliary support facilities is $7,105,795 and the estimated cost 
associated with the proposed abandonment is $179,305. Williams states 
that the proposed age and condition replacement and the benefits it 
provides to existing customers in overall reliability, flexibility, and 
efficiency to the system, qualifies for rolled-in rate treatment under 
the Commission's Statement of Policy, 88 FERC Paragraph 61,227 (1999) 
as interpreted by the Commission in Texas Gas Transmission Corporation, 
90 FERC Paragraph 62,190 (2000). Therefore, Williams requests all 
project costs should be permitted rolled-in treatment in William's next 
rate case.
    Any questions regarding the application should be directed to David 
N. Roberts, Manager, Certificates & Tariffs, at (270) 688-6712, 
Williams Gas Pipelines Central, Inc., P.O. Box 20008, Owensboro, 
Kentucky 42301.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said Application should on or before November 9, 2000, 
file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, 
NW., 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 385.211 or 18 CFR 385.214) and the Regulations 
under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). All protests filed with 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. Beginning 
November 1, 2000, comments and protests 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 at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.
    Take further notice that pursuant to the authority contained in and 
subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Commission by Sections 7 
and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and the 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 petition to 
intervene is filed within the time required herein, if the Commission 
on its own review of the matter finds that a grant of the abandonment 
is required by the public convenience and necessity. If a petition for 
leave to intervene is timely filed, or if the Commission, on it 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 Applicant to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-27337 Filed 10-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M