[Federal Register: January 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 5)] [Notices] [Page 1192-1193] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08ja99-62] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Viking Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Application January 4, 1999. Take notice that on December 31, 1998, Viking Gas Transmission Company (Viking) 825 Rice Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55117, filed an application in Docket No. CP99-140-000 pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas ACt for permission and approval to abandon certain facilities, all as more fully set forth in the application on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. On September 3, 1998, Viking filed an application in Docket No. CP99-761-000 to construct and operate five segments of 24-inch pipeline loop totaling 45 miles, to install certain above-ground facilities, including crossover assemblies, and to establish a new meter station (the 1999 Expansion). The 1999 Expansion, located in 6 counties in Minnesota, is designed to meet new requests for transportation service and to augment system reliability and operational flexibility. In conjunction with the 1999 Expansion project, Viking proposes in the subject application to abandon its existing Angus crossover assembly located in Polk County, Minnesota. The crossover facilities consist of a 12-inch sidevalve, a 8-inch blowdown valve, and approximately 80 feet of associated 24-inch pipe together with related valves and fittings. The facilities were installed in 1997, as authorized in Docket No. CP97-93-000 as part of an earlier looping project.\1\ Since terminus of the earlier loopline will now be extended southward as a result of looping proposed in Docket No. CP98-761-000, the subject crossover assembly is no longer needed. A new crossover assembly will be installed at the terminus of the Angus loopline proposed in the 1999 Expansion. Removing the Angus crossover assembly is estimated to cost approximately $6,000. The abandonment is an integral part of the 1999 Expansion and the removal will take place concurrent with [[Page 1193]] the new construction. Viking states that the proposed abandonment would not adversely affect system operations or affect service to customers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 79 FERC para.61,136 (1997). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any person desiring to participate in the hearing process or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before January 14, 1999, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 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 385.311) 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 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 Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by every one of the intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing or 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 an original and 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 intervenor status. 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 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 Viking to appear or be represented at the hearing. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-339 Filed 1-7-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M