[Federal Register: November 9, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 216)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60313]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no98-53]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. RP99-115-000]

 
Columbia Gulf Transmission Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in 
FERC Gas Tariff

November 3, 1998.
    Take notice that on October 30, 1998, Columbia Gulf Transmission 
Company (Columbia Gulf), tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas 
Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, the following revised tariff 
sheets to become effective January 1, 1999:

Fourth Revised Sheet No. 262

    Columbia Gulf states that this filing is being submitted pursuant 
to the April 29, 1998, order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission) in the Gas Research Institute (GRI) proceedings 
in Docket Nos. RP97-149-003, et al. (83 FERC para.61,093) (Order) 
approving the Stipulation and Agreement dated January 21, 1998 
(Settlement). In the Settlement, Columbia Gulf agreed to be a voluntary 
collection agent for shippers who voluntarily choose to contribute to 
GRI programs through a ``check-the-box'' mechanism on billing invoices 
in addition to the settlement charges, beginning January 1, 1999. The 
settlement provides that, among other things, effective January 1, 
2005, GRI surcharges will no longer be in effect and will reflect 
declining surcharge rates for the period 1998 through 2003, with 
adjustments in 2004, if needed. Section 1.7 of the Settlement provides 
for voluntary funding for the years 1998 through 2004 and that, 
effective no later than January 1, 2005, all GRI funding and membership 
will be on a voluntary basis.
    Columbia Gulf agrees to collect these voluntary amounts submitted 
by its shippers, and states that these amounts will not be part of 
Columbia Gulf's jurisdictional rates. As part of the ``check-the-box'' 
procedure, the shipper may state the amount of the contribution, as 
well as the project(s) the shipper wishes to support. Columbia Gulf 
proposes, consistent with the Order, that the Commission will not 
review or approve the amounts collected by Columbia Gulf. Columbia Gulf 
is adjusting Section 33 of the General Terms and Conditions of its 
tariff to implement the ``check-the-box'' mechanism.
    Columbia Gulf states further that copies of this filing have been 
mailed to all of its customers and affected state regulatory 
commissions.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to protest said filing should 
file a motion to intervene or a protest with the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426, 
in accordance with Sections 385.214 or 385.211 of the Commission's 
Rules and Regulations. All such motions or protests must be filed in 
accordance with Section 154.210 of the Commission's Regulations. 
Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the 
appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants 
parties to the proceedings. Any person wishing to become a party must 
file a motion to intervene. Copies of this filing are on file with the 
Commission and are available for public inspection in the Public 
Reference Room.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-29925 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M