The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a decisionWednesday in a Trunkline Gas rate case that appears to make majorcuts in the pipeline’s proposal to collect revenues of $167.3million, or about $5.7 million more than its previous rates. Aspokesperson said the Commission had no estimate of what therevised revenues would be, but would await a compliance filing bythe pipeline.

Commissioner Linda K. Breathitt dissented in part to theCommission’s decision to change its policy and not allow $400,000in charitable contributions to be included in the cost of service.Its traditional policy of including contributions as a businessexpense “has, in effect, allowed ratepayer funds to be used simplyto purchase customers good will and employee loyalty, primarily forthe benefit of company shareholders,” the order stated.

Breathitt said the contributions do not appear to be out of linewith contributions credited to other pipelines. She rejects thenotion that there is a national trend to disallow them. Beforemaking such a policy change, Breathitt said the Commission shouldhave conducted a ratepayer benefit analysis instead of relying onsketchy evidence.

On other issues the Commission did the following:

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