[Federal Register: November 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 216)] [Notices] [Page 61106] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr09no99-66] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP00-35-000] Viking Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Tariff Filing November 3, 1999. Take notice that on October 28, 1999, Viking Gas Transmission Company (Viking) tendered for filing to be part of its FERC Gas Tariff, First Revised Volume No. 1, the tariff sheets listed on Appendix A to the filing, to be effective November 27, 1999. Viking states that the purpose of this filing is to clarify that the incremental rates for firm transportation service under Rate Schedule FT-D shall govern the pricing of capacity as it becomes available on Viking's system. Viking finds it necessary to make this filing because Viking's tariff currently does not address this issue expressly, and because new Commission policies provide for the pricing of pipeline capacity as it becomes available at the rates for incrementally-priced expansion projects. Viking states that it believes that adoption of this pricing mechanism will provide better price signals to the market. Shippers will contract for capacity as it becomes available at rates capped at the incremental rates so that rates found just and reasonable for the incremental shippers will apply to all subsequent shippers receiving the same service. Viking believes this will have the effect of ``rolling-up'' the rates over time and will encourage longer term contracts. To implement this policy, Viking proposes to sell capacity that is rolled over, extended or auctioned at rates up to the Rate Schedule FT-D rate. Viking proposes to return to shippers who are paying incremental rates (i.e., any rate higher than the pre-expansion rate) ninety percent of any incremental revenues that result from making capacity available under Rate Schedule FT-D. In addition, to create a level playing field for sale of all capacity as it becomes available, Viking proposes the same incremental pricing for temporary release and Rate Schedule IT and AOT services. Specifically, Viking proposes that temporary capacity release be made available at up to the Rate Schedule FT-D maximum rate and that releasing shippers be allowed to retain any excess revenues resulting from releasing capacity at up to the Rate Schedule FT-D maximum rate. Viking further proposes to set the Rate Schedules IT and AOT maximum rates at a 100 percent load factor derivative of the Rate Schedule FT-D maximum rate on an interim basis until Viking files its next general rate case proceeding. Viking proposes to return to shippers ninety percent of all incremental revenues that result from the interim rate change. Because the charge for Rate Schedule LMS is set at the maximum rate for Rate Schedule IT service, Viking is also making an interim adjustment to the charge for Rate Schedule LMS so that the charge for Rate Schedule LMS remains correlated with the maximum rate for Rate Schedule IT service. Viling states that copies of this filing have been mailed to all of its jurisdictional customers and to 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, NE, Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with section 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. This filing may be viewed on the web at http:// wwe.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance). David P. Boergers, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-29279 Filed 11-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M