FERC last Monday issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) in which it seeks public comment on standards for creating an open-season process for available capacity on a proposed natural gas pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope.

The NOPR responds to a congressional mandate that directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue rules within 120 days of Oct. 13, when President Bush signed into law the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act that favors construction of the long-line gas system and offers an $18 billion federal loan guarantee for the project. FERC said it plans to implement a final rule by Feb. 10, 2005.

The Alaska pipeline act also requires the Commission to act on any Alaska gas transportation proposal within 20 months after the agency determines that an application is complete.

FERC plans to conduct a one-day technical conference to gather comments on Dec. 3 in Anchorage, AK, at the Municipality of Anchorage, Loussac Library at 3600 Denali St. Written comments must be submitted to the Commission by Dec. 17, and must include the reference Docket No. RM05-1-000.

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