[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 58387-58389] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-28324] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. CP00-6-000, CP00-7-000, and CP00-8-000] Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.; Notice of Applications for Certificates October 25, 1999. Take notice that on October 15, 1999, Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. (Gulfstream or Applicant), 500 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, filed an application in Docket No. CP00-6-000 pursuant to and in accordance with Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and the optional certificate procedures of Part 157(E) of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations, for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the construction and operation of natural gas pipeline facilities. On that same date Gulfstream filed in Docket No. CPP00-7-000 for a blanket certificate of public convenience and necessity to render firm and interruptible transportation services on an open access basis pursuant to Part 284(G) of the Commission's regulations and for approval of initial rates. Also, Gulfstream requests in Docket No. CP00-8-000 the issuance of a blanket certificate of public convenience and necessity under Part 157(F) of the Commission's regulations authorizing certain facility construction, operation and abandonment, all as more fully set forth in the applications which are on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing 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 Mr. Richard H. Leehr, Vice President, Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., 500 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243, or call (313) 496-3679. Consistent with Section 157.102(b) of the Commission's regulations, Gulfstream requests that its application be considered under the optional procedures of part 157(E) and agrees to comply with all terms and conditions specified in Section 157.103. Gulfstream requests that the Commission issue a preliminary determination on the non-environmental aspects of this proposal by April 15, 2000, and a final order granting the authorizations requested herein by February 2001. Gulfstream states that this timing is necessary to allow construction of the project can commence no later than June 2001 and be completed prior to June 2002, the proposed-in- service date for this project. Gulfstream states that it does not currently own pipeline facilities and is not currently engaged in any natural gas transportation operations. Upon acceptance of the certificate requested in this application and commencement of operations, Gulfstream states that it will become a ``natural gas company'' within the meaning of Section 2(6) of the NGA and, as such, will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. Gulfstream states that the State of Florida is experiencing a substantial increase in the demand for electric power, which has led to an increasing need for natural gas as the fuel of choice for generating such power. Gulfstream contends that Florida will require more than 9,600 megawatts of generating capacity, equivalent to approximately 2 Bcf per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas demand, by the year 2007 to meet the needs of its growing population. To meet this need for natural gas, Gulfstream proposes to construct, own and operate approximately 744 miles of natural gas pipeline of varying diameter to transport up to 1.13 Bcf/d of natural gas from supply areas in Alabama and Mississippi across the Gulf of Mexico to new incremental markets in central and eastern Florida. It is stated that Gulfstream will serve electric utilities, gas distribution companies, municipalities and independent power generators. The project will include one compressor station, six gas receiving and sixteen delivery meter stations, a pressure regulator station, mainline valves, and other associated facilities, including pig launching and receiving facilities. Gulfstream estimates that the [[Page 58388]] total capital cost of constructing the pipeline and appurtenant facilities will be $1,653,934,142. Gulfstream states that its system consists of three interrelated geographic components: (1) Supply area facilities in Alabama and Mississippi; (2) transmission facilities in the gulf of Mexico; and (3) pipeline facilities located in and serving the State of Florida. In the supply area, Gulfstream proposes several interconnections. In Alabama, Gulfstream proposes to interconnect with the Dauphin Island Gathering Partners (DIGP) 20-inch pipeline system, and with the Mobile Bay Processing Partners' Plant (known as the ``DIGP Plant''). Gulfstream also proposes Alabama interconnections with Mobil's Mary Ann Plant, Williams' Mobile Bay Processing Plant, and Koch-Gateway Pipeline Company. In Mississippi, Gulfstream proposes to interconnect with the Pascagoula Gas Processing Plant (known as the ``Destin Plant'') which is operated by Amoco. Through the Koch-Gateway Interconnection, and the Destin and Williams' Plant connections, Gulfstream states that shippers will have access to several interstate natural gas pipeline systems. According to Gulfstream, the six receipt points are designed to provide measurement capacity, in the aggregate, of approximately 2.2. Bcf/d, thus creating substantial flexibility for shippers acquiring gas supply to fully utilize the 1.13 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity. Gulfstream states that this gas supply will be commingled and transported to a central compressor station in Mobile County, Alabama (Station 100). It is stated that the compressor station will consist of 120,000-ISO rated horsepower (hp) of compression (three operating 30,000-ISO hp units plus one stand-by unit \1\). Gulfstream states that once compressed, the gas will be transported across the Gulf of Mexico using approximately 429.6 miles of 36-inch pipeline (Line 200), ending onshore at Station 200, a pressure regulator station in Manatee County, Florida. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Gulfstream intends to use the stand-by unit to enhance system reliability. The stand-by unit will only be used for back-up compression in the event of outages in other units. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Downstream of Station 200, Gulfstream proposes to construct a pipeline system that traverses Manatee, Hardee, Polk, Osceola, Highlands, Okeechobee, Martin and St. Lucie Counties and terminates in Palm Beach County, Florida. Gulfstream contends that the Florida mainline totals 173.3 miles of pipe and consists of Line 300 (46.2 miles of 36-inch pipe), Line 500 (89.4 miles of 30-inch pipe), and Line 700 (37.7 miles of 24-inch pipe). It is stated that three delivery meter stations (Nos. 505, 515, and 700) are located directly off of this mainline. In addition, it is stated that the mainline feeds four laterals, two of which include ``sublaterals'' that connect directly to specific plant sites. Gulfstream states that these lateral total 70.8 miles of pipe and are comprised of Line 330 (9.1 miles of 24-inch pipe), in Hardee and Polk Counties, Line 400 in Polk County (33.4 miles of 30-inch pipe), Line 600 (22 miles of 24-inch pipe), in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and Line 710 (6.1 miles of 16-inch pipe) in Palm Beach County. Lastly, the sublaterals include 41.7 miles of pipe and consist of: Line 320 (0.9 miles of 16-inch pipe) in Hardee County; Line 310 (0.7 miles of 16-inch pipe), in Polk and Hardee Counties; Line 410 (6.1 miles of 16-inch pipe); Line 430 (1.2 miles of 16-inch pipe), and Line 440 (6.9 miles of 16-inch pipe) all within Polk County; and Line 450 (25.9 miles or 24-inch pipe) in Polk and Osceola Counties, Florida. Gulfstream states that an additional 13 delivery points are proposed to be located off of the above laterals and sublateral. Gulfstream also proposes to construct pig launching and receiving facilities and mainline valves. According the Gulfstream, the pipeline was designed to parallel existing rights-of-ways (ROW) as often as feasible. Gulfstream states that of the total 307.1 pipeline miles constructed onshore in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, approximately 77 percent, or 235 miles will follow existing ROW. Gulfstream states that construction ROW for its pipeline typically will be: for 30-inch to 36-inch pipe, 110 feet wide; for 24-inch pipe, 95-feet wide; and for 16-inch pipe, 80 feet wide. It is stated that the pipeline will require 50 feet of permanent ROW for 24-inch to 36-inch pipe and 30 feet for 16-inch pipe and up to 30 to 60 feet of temporary ROW. Gulfstream states that during construction it will require pipe coating and storage yards, and contractor staging areas. It is further stated that additional workspace may be required at major road, rail and river crossings and under other special circumstances. Gulfstream states that the pipeline facilities will be constructed, at a minimum, to meet the requirements of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 and 49 CFR Part 192, Transportation of Natural Gas and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Standards, as well as other applicable construction and safety requirements. Gulfstream states that as a result on an open season it held from March 15, 1999 to March 29, 1999, it has negotiated, with non- affiliated shippers, 10 precedent agreements for firm transportation service for terms of 15 to 20 years. It is stated that two of these customers have options to increase their firm contractual volumes, which, if exercised, would increase the capacity contracted for. Gulfstream states that, overall, their firm commitments currently represent a significant percentage of the pipeline capacity. Gulfstream further states that because shippers negotiated confidentiality agreements as part of their precedent agreements, and since its application is filed under the optional certificate regulations, which do not require a showing of market support, Gulfstream is not filing the precedent agreements with its application. Gulfstream proposes to offer firm and interruptible transportation services, and interruptible parking and lending services on a non- discriminatory, open-access basis, consistent with Commission policy. Gulfstream proposes to provide a firm transportation service under Rate Schedule FTS, an interruptible transportation service under Rate Schedule ITS and interruptible parking and lending services under Rate Schedule PALS, under rates, terms and conditions in its pro forma tariff included with the application. Gulfstream states that under Rate Schedule FTS, shippers will be entitled to elect a firm Maximum Hourly Quantity (MHQ) for delivery of gas at the shipper's primary delivery point. It is stated that this firm hourly quantity may be at the rate of 4.2 percent, 5.0 percent, 6.0 percent, 7.0 percent, or 8.0 percent of the shipper's maximum daily quantity. Gulfstream states that the firm hourly entitlement is designed to serve the fluctuating needs of electric generation customers and other shippers with similar requirements. Gulfstream states that the shippers subscribing to its firm transportation service will be given the option of paying a negotiated rate or a cost-based recourse rate for service under its firm rate schedule. Gulfstream states that its recourse rates are based on a first year total annual cost of service of $273.2 million. It is stated that the cost of service includes an overall return on rate base of 9.8 percent, predicated on a capital structure of 70 percent debt and 30 percent equity, a propose return on common equity of 14 percent, and an 8 percent cost of debt. It is further stated [[Page 58389]] that the initial net rate base used is $1,624.1 million. Gulfstream states that its proposed rate design is intended to take into account the service flexibility which will be provided to its shippers while employing a rate structure which is consistent with Commission policies. Gulfstream contends that since the operational and contractual delivery characteristics of its system will be similar to those of a storage field, the rate design proposed for Gulfstream's recourse rates is based upon the Equitable 2 method used by the Commission to design rates for storage service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Equitable Gas Company, 36 FERC para. 61,147 (1986). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gulfstream seeks a limited waiver for certain aspects of its tariff. It states that Section 154.109 of the Commission's regulations requires that the general terms and conditions of a tariff must contain a statement of the order in which the pipeline discounts its rates and charges, and that this order must be in accordance with Commission policy. Gulfstream requests waiver of the requirement to included a discount recognition provision in its tariff. According to Gulfstream, this requirement is inapplicable to it because Gulfstream currently has no categories of costs other than the base rate reservation charge. Gulfstream claims that the Commission has granted this waiver to other new pipeline projects under similar circumstances.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See Vector Pipeline, L.P., 85 FERC at p. 61,304; Alliance Pipeline L. P., 80 FERC at 61,598. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gulfstream asserts that approval of its application is required by the public convenience and necessity. Gulfstream states that it has complied with the filing requirements of Section 157.102 and has satisfied the terms and conditions of Section 157.103. In that regard, Gulfstream states that the certificate which it seeks will be nonexclusive, and will in no way prejudice any other application for other certificates. It is stated that the certificate will also provide authority to construct and operate facilities to provide new service and the rates proposed for services comply with the objectives set forth in Sec. 157.103(d) of the regulations. In addition to satisfying the requirements of the optional certificate regulations, Gulfstream indicates that there is a substantial factual basis from which to conclude that the project is required by the present or future public convenience and necessity. First, it is stated that there is substantial market demand for the project. Second, Gulfstream states that the project is consistent with and promotes the policies and goals of the Commission. Finally, it is stated that there are substantial regional benefits which will occur as a result of constructing the project. Any person desiring to be heard or to make protest with reference to said application should on or before November 15, 1999, 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 issued by the Commission, filed by the applicant, or filed by all other 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 intervener 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 unnecessary for Gulfstream to appear or be represented at the hearing. David P. Boergers, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-28324 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M