News Release: July 19, 2012 Docket No. RM96-1-037; Order No. 587-V Item No. G-1

FERC Amends Business Practices Standards for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today approved a final rule that updates and improves standards for business practices of interstate natural gas pipelines, including enhanced standards that will improve coordination between pipelines and electric utilities.

Today’s action comes as the five Commission members will convene five regional technical conferences in August to discuss with the public ways to enhance better coordination between natural gas and electricity markets. Dates, locations and times are available on FERC’s website at www.ferc.gov. Information about the conferences will be available via Twitter feed at #FERC-GEC.

Today’s final rule incorporates by reference the latest version of business practice standards adopted by the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB). The standards, proposed earlier this year, include : (1) standards to support gas-electric interdependency; (2) standards created for Capacity Release redesign due to the elimination of Electronic Data Interchange for Capacity Release Upload information; (3) standards to support the Electronic Delivery Mechanism; (4) standards to support the Customer Security Administration (CSA) Process; (5) standards for pipeline postings of information regarding waste heat; and (6) minor technical maintenance revisions designed to more efficiently process wholesale natural gas transactions.

Natural gas pipelines must file tariff sheets to reflect the changed standards by October 1, 2012, to take effect on December 1, 2012; they must comply with the standards by December 1, 2012. The Commission is also issuing a sample tariff record to assist filers in drafting their tariff filings implementing the rule.

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