[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18338-18339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9608]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, CP97-320-000, and CP97-321-000]


Independence Pipeline Company; Notice of Application

April 9, 1997.
    Take notice that on March 31, 1997, Independence Pipeline Company 
(Independence), 500 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, filed 
in Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, CP97-320-000, and CP97-321-000 an 
application pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Parts 
284 and 157 of the Commission's regulations for a certificate of public 
convenience and necessity to construct, own, and operate natural gas 
pipeline facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, to 
provide open-access firm and interruptible transportation service 
through such facilities and to engage in certain routine activities, 
all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with 
the Commission and open to public inspection.
    Independence states that it is a new company which seeks 
authorization to construct and operate a new large-diameter interstate 
pipeline to transport gas from western Ohio to central Pennsylvania. 
Independence is a partnership whose two general partners are ANR 
Independence Pipeline Company and Transco Independence Pipeline 
Company, affiliates of ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) and Transcontinental 
Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco), respectively. It is indicated that 
the purpose of the project is to provide access to eastern markets for 
gas supplies from Canada and the western United States which will be 
transported to the Chicago area via several proposed pipeline projects. 
It is anticipated that transportation from the Chicago area to western 
terminus of the Independence pipeline will be provided on ANR's system. 
It is explained that ANR has filed a companion application in Docket 
No. CP97-319-000 to expand portions of its existing system between 
Chicago and western Ohio.
    In Docket No. CP97-315-000, Independence requests authority to 
construct and operate approximately 370 miles of 36-inch diameter 
pipeline extending from an interconnection with ANR near Defiance, 
Defiance County, Ohio to an interconnection with Transco's Leidy system 
at Leidy, Clinton County, Pennsylvania. The project will also include 
two 30,000 HP compressor stations located in Defiance

[[Page 18339]]

County, Ohio and Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Independence states it 
will be an open access pipeline. Independence's facilities are designed 
to provide a capacity of 943,300 Mcf per day (Mcfd) during the winter 
season and 838,000 Mcfd during the summer season. Independence 
estimates that the project will cost $629.6 million and intends to use 
project financing to fund the project.
    Independence proposes to use cost based rates. It anticipates an 
underlying capital structure consisting of 70 percent debt and 30 
percent equity and intends to use the straight fixed variable 
methodology for cost classification, allocation, and rate design.
    Independence requests a preliminary determination by November 1, 
1997, and a final certificate by July 1, 1998, in order to meet a 
target in-service date of November 1, 1999.
    Independence is conducting an open season from April 2, 1997 
through May 30, 1997 to solicit market interest in the project. 
Independence intends to make the proposed expansion capacity available 
on a non-discriminatory basis to any shipper that has executed a 
transportation service agreement with Independence.
    ANR has submitted a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 
subject project and the companion ANR expansion project in Docket No. 
CP97-319-000 to hire a third-party contractor to assist staff in the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    With the exception of the RFP process, which may proceed, the 
Commission staff will defer all other processing of Independence's 
application until Independence advises the Commission of the results of 
the open season and demonstrates contract commitments in support of the 
project.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before April 30, 1997, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 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 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.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory 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 motion to intervene is filed within the time 
required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter 
finds that approval for the proposed application 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 unnecessary for Independence to appear or be represented at 
the hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-9608 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M