Defended

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has defended its decision to reject a requirement by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line that converting firm transportation (FT) customers must take and pay for service on production area supply laterals. FERC’s order on (its second) remand Wednesday (RP92-137-052) explained to a court that the decision was not inconsistent with other orders regarding Transco.

Battling on several fronts, El Paso Corp. affiliates last week defended against charges from California interests that it used market power to manipulate the market, claiming opposing testimony was rigged, and its own hedging losses argue against any attempt to withhold pipeline capacity from the market.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) last week defended President Bush’senergy policy strategy against criticism that it’s fixated ondrilling in the Alaska arctic while giving short shift to thenation’s more pressing energy concerns.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) yesterday defended President Bush’senergy policy strategy against criticism that it’s fixated ondrilling in the Alaska artic while giving short shrift to thenation’s more pressing energy concerns.

Maritimes &Northeast Pipeline sponsors defended their proposed pipeline certificate (Phase II) amendment last week against attack by some the project’s own shippers and others who say it is too large and too costly for the market it will serve. Project sponsors said the calls for a stay on the project and a hearing on its size are based on a misreading of its amendment filing and a misunderstanding of its agreements with its shippers (see NGI, Feb. 22 issue).

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line defended its 700 MMcf/dMarketLink project against charges it is not supported by themarket because many of its contracts with shippers contain rightsto terminate under certain circumstances. Singling out the protestsand “motions to reject” of CNG Transmission and ConsolidatedEdison, Transco reminded the Commission many of its agreements arenot unlike those filed to support other projects. A few contracts,about 34% of its capacity, are , however, a little different thanwhat has arrived at the Commission in the past, the pipelineacknowledged.