[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 208 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64213-64214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27557]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP01-13-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application

October 20, 2000.
    Take notice that on October 17, 2000, Southern Natural Gas Company 
(Southern), 1900 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, filed 
an application pursuant to and in accordance with section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations, 
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity 
authorizing the reinstatement and the operation of an existing 
reciprocating engine currently held in standby status at its Albany 
Compressor Station (Albany C.S.) in Dougherty County, Georgia, all as 
more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the 
Commission and open to the public inspection. The application may be 
viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-
2222 for assistance). Any questions regarding the application should be 
directed to: John C. Griffin, Senior Counsel, at (205) 325-7133 or 
Patrick B. Pope, General Counsel, at (205) 325-7126, Southern Natural 
Gas Company, P.O. Box 2563, Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2563.
    Due to increases in South Georgia's peak winter and peak summer 
load, Southern now seeks to reinstate the 1,232 horsepower 
reciprocating compressor at the existing Albany C.S. from a standby 
basis to full time availability. Reinstating the engine will provide 
Southern the flexibility to use the engine when the peak day loads 
require such usage. Southern is not proposing any increase in 
Transportation Demand and it has not signed any new firm transportation 
agreements for incremental service to support this reinstatement. 
Southern states that the proposed application will enable Southern to 
operate South Georgia at more stable pressures. Southern contends that 
the incremental horsepower at Albany will enhance Southern's 
operational efficiency, flexibility, and reliability without having an 
impact on its existing customers. Southern states that due to mainline 
constraints upstream of Albany, such incremental horsepower will not 
provide any increase in the firm capacity on South Georgia. Southern 
requests authorization be granted by November 30, 2000, so that the 
compressor unit may be in service by December 1, 2000 for the winter 
heating season.
    Southern contends that the costs associated with the reinstatement 
of the facilities are minor costs needed for compliance with the 
Commission's noise guidelines, that there is only a de minimis 
financial or rate impact and that the cost of the facilities are 
already included in the cost of service. The estimated cost associated 
with the reinstatement is approximately $139,500.00. In addition, these 
facilities are maintained as though they are fully operational, so 
there will be no additional maintenance costs associated with the 
reinstatement. In addition, there will be no impact on other pipelines 
or landowners. Southern states that since the proposed project is 
designed to maintain reliability and improve efficiency and 
flexibility, that it is consistent with the FERC's Policy Statement 
issued September 15, 1999 in Docket No. PL99-3-000.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make protest with reference 
to said application should on or before October 30, 2000, 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 385.211 or 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. The Commission's rules require that protestors provide 
copies of their protests to the party or parties directly involved. 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 Commission and will receive copies of all 
documents filed by 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 filed documents on 
all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all 
documents filed by 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 filed by commenters or those requesting intervenor status.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to jurisdiction conferred upon the Commission by sections 7 
and 15 of the NGA 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 motion 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 certificate is required by the 
public convenience and necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is 
timely filed, or 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

[[Page 64214]]

unnecessary for Southern to appear or be represented at the hearing.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-27557 Filed 10-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M