Evening star., 1947-03-03

peen more serious II the break had Oc-
CURED between the last entry for sup
Elemental supplies and Rockville, where
Washington area gas leaves the line via
two smaller pipes. If this had hap
pened, only line pack gas and supplies
IN the company,s holders would have
been available for customers whose ap-
pliances can use only straight natural
gas.
Line pack gas Is substantial amount,
since the fuel Is forced into the pipe at
high pressure. In the hypothetical sit
uation mentioned, 1t could be forced out
OF the length OF pipe between the break
and Rockville and from the remainder
OF the line, from Rockville to Coatesville.
Pa, where it ends.
However, a prolonged interruption to
the normal flow eventually would have
deprived natural gas customers of all
services.
Plans for Such an Emergency.
The company says 1t plans to do
something about this If the PUG
grants its applications. The plan is not
part OF the applications, however. The
applications are directed only toward
the matters Of heating value Of gas
supplied and billing procedure.
AS explained by Mr.. Boothby at the
PUG hearing, the plans call for con-
version OF manufacturing facilities at
the company's East Station-one of two
now making mixed gas. This plant
would be equipped to make gas of
slightly less than 1,100 BTU's per cubic
foot which could be used in appliances
which had been converted for straight
natural gas, Mr.. Boothby said It would
be used in emergencies and perhaps at
periods OF peak demand, he told the
commission.
The other present manufacturing
plant, at West Station, would be dis
mantled, he added.
During the hearing Lloyd B. Harri-
son, special assistant corporation coun-
sci, asked Mr.. Bootfby how much gas
would be available in event of break
in the natural gas supply.
Mr. Boothby said the standby plant
could make 10000, 900 cubic feet of high
BTU gas day, and the company's
storage facilities could hold more than
30,000,000 cubic feet Mr.. Boothby added
peak consumption would be about 65,-
100000 cubic feet in a single day this
winter II straight natural gas were be-
ing supplied, and this demand would be
expected to increase somewhat next win
6 ter.
Supplies Of Natural Gas Will Increase.
Mr.. Boothby spoke of new pipelines
In the future and probable develop
ment OF new means Of storing gas, and
said:
Accordingly, it is not inconceivable,
and I think we rather expect, that the
usefulness of East Station - will
be minimized as the years go on, and
probably, after that number of years
three or four or five years. East Sta
ton will no longer be useful and will
be retired from service and amortized
over a term of years"
The conversion job would cost about
100000, Mr.. Boothby said, and would
be done progressively while the COM
pany also was engaged in adapting the
appliances Of customers now receiving
mixed gas to handle the straight nat
ural product.
Presumably, the PUG would re-
quire provision on this standby plant
as condition Of conversion in the Dis
trict. Further, 1t is logical to suppose
new pipeline capacity would increase
the probability of eventual abandon
ment of standby facilities in the future.
The Atlantic Seaboard Corp.-supplier
Of the local company-fled an appli-
cation jointly with the Virginia Gas
Transmission Corp. to the Federal Power
Commission January 27.
The application asks authority to
build a 24-inch pipeline from Cobb,
w. Va, to connect with the present
2O-inch line near Rockville. a distance
Of 1853 miles It also seeks permission
to build a new compressor station near
Flat Top, w. Va.
The present line would continue In
service.
Completion Of this proposed new pipe
line would mean great increase in
the normal volume of gas available to
Washington and provide new safe
guards In case Of q break