[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 31208-31209] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-14668] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP99-538-000] B-R Pipeline Company Portland General Company; Notice of Application June 4, 1999. Take notice that on May 28, 1999, B-R Pipeline Company (B-R), P.O. Box 806278, 125 South Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60680-4124, and Portland General Electric Company (PGE), One World Trade Center, Suite 1300, Portland, Oregon 97204 (jointly referred to as Applicants), filed in Docket No. CP99-538-000 an application pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, requesting the following authorizations: (1) permission and approval to abandon by sale to B-R a 10. per cent tenancy-in-common share (12 per cent of PGE's interest) of a pipeline known as the ``Kelso-Beaver Pipeline'' (KBP); (2) certificate authority for B-R to acquire, own, and operate this 10.5 percent tenancy-in-common interest in the KBP; (3) certificate authority for B-R to construct, own, and operate, at B-R's expense, a delivery point for interstate transportation service consisting of a tap, meter, appurtenant facilities (collectively the Delivery Point) located near the terminus of the KBP in Columbia County, Oregon, which will connect with a non-jurisdictional pipeline to be built and owned by United States Gypsum Company (Gypsum) as an extension of Gypsum's new wallboard manufacturing plant in Rainier, Oregon; (4) certificate authority for B-R to transport natural gas on behalf of Gypsum from the existing KBP's interconnect with Northwest Pipeline Corporation (Northwest) in Kelso, Washington, to the interconnect with Gypsum's facilities extending from Gypsum's new plant; and (5) waiver of the Commission's requirements to file annual reports, rates, tariffs, and contracts involving service by B-R for Gypsum, 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). Applicants state that on October 24, 1991, the Commission issued a certificate authorizing PGE and KB Pipeline Company (KB) to construct and operate 17 miles of twenty-inch diameter pipeline with a capacity of 193 MMcf/day (the KBP) and other facilities. It is indicated that the KBP extends from an interconnection with Northwest in Kelso, Washington, to a delivery point at PGE's Beaver Generating Station in Columbia County, Oregon and to an interconnection with KB's local distribution affiliate and only customer, Northwest Natural Gas Company (Northwest Natural). Applicants further state that neither PGE nor KB was required to offer open access transportation for third parties or to file open access tariffs. Applicants request authority for PGE to abandon by sale to B-R its right, title, and interest in and to a 10.5 per cent tenancy-in-common of the KBP, and Applicants request corresponding certificate authority for B-R to acquire this 10.5 per cent interest as tenant-in-common so the B-R may transport and deliver natural gas belonging to Gypsum for use at a new Gypsum wallboard plant in Rainier, Oregon. Applicants assert that as part of that sale, PGE will assign to Gypsum and B-R, with respect to such 10.5 per cent interest, all transportation and other rights, and Gypsum and B-R will assume all obligations that accompany such an ownership share under the original joint ownership agreement. Applicants further assert that B-R's ownership of 10.5 per cent tenancy-in-common will not alter the total capacity or the maximum allowable operating pressure that applies currently to the KBP. In addition to the proposed purchase and ownership of the 10.5 per cent interest in the KBP, B-R seeks certificate authority to construct, own, and operate for the purpose of transporting natural gas to Gypsum a Delivery Point, which will be located near the terminus of the existing KBP within existing rights-of-way. Applicants assert that B-R would build no other facilities; rather, Gypsum, an affiliate of B-R, plans to extend an eight-inch pipeline from its new plant in Rainier, Oregon to the Delivery Point. Applicants further assert that Gypsum's pipeline will be built and operated as an extension of Gypsum's new plant and will not be subject to the Commission's jurisdiction under either the NGA or NGPA. Applicants indicate that apart from the $2.5 million to be paid to PGE to purchase a share of the KBP, the cost of B-R's new Delivery Point is estimated to be $65,000. Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before June 25, 1999, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, a petition to intervene or a protest in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and [[Page 31209]] Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 and 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 protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding or to participate as a party in any hearing therein must file a petition to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules. Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in and subject to the 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 on this application if no petition to intervene is filed within the time required herein, and if the Commission on its own review of the matter finds that 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 its motion believes that a formal hearing is required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given. Under the procedure herein provide for, unless otherwise advised, it will be unnecessary for Applicants to appear or be represented at the hearing. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-14668 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M