Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) said last week that two of its projects — the Freehold project and the Hanging Rock project — approved recently by FERC will use a new rate schedule that allows customers to contract for firm hourly swing service on subsidiary Texas Eastern Transmission laterals.

DEGT said Texas Eastern’s new rate schedule MLS-1 and the Freehold project facilities will be used by New Jersey Natural Gas Co. in assuring reliable service to existing and growing residential customer loads with significant daily load swings. The project includes adding line pack, installing a new compressor unit and uprating the system.

Rate schedule MLS-1 also will be utilized in Texas Eastern’s Hanging Rock Lateral project to provide natural gas transportation service to a newly constructed gas-fired electric generation facility in Lawrence County, OH.

“The approval of these projects and the new rate schedule demonstrates both FERC and Texas Eastern’s commitment to finding solutions that address customers’ increasing and changing energy needs,” said Robert B. Evans, CEO of DEGT. “We commend the commission and its staff for their efforts to approve both project applications and to issue the Certificates for Public Convenience and Necessity in only eight months.”

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioners noted that a recurring topic before the Commission is the need for hourly flexibility for both new and existing customers. Commissioners also indicated they were pleased that Texas Eastern had taken the initiative in addressing the issue with the new projects.

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