Federal

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) began thecertification process for the Coastal Corp.’s Gulfstream NaturalGas project, a pipeline from Mobile, AL, across the Gulf of Mexicoand the state of Florida. And in related news, Williams re-filedit’s application for the competing Buccaneer Gas Pipeline. Aprevious Williams filing was rejected without prejudice forinsufficient environmental information.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday issued apreliminary determination to a pipeline that could very well giveSouthern California Gas (SoCalGas) a run for its money in theCalifornia natural gas market.

El Paso Energy Corp. has agreed to sell East Tennessee NaturalGas, Sea Robin Pipeline and its interest in Destin Pipeline to gainFederal Trade Commission (FTC) approval of its merger with SonatInc. El Paso said last week it has signed a consent agreement withthe FTC and expects the agency to sign “shortly.” El Paso and Sonatexpect to close the merger in early October. FERC approved themerger last week.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted out a final ruleyesterday that will give property owners affected by proposedpipeline construction greater participation in the certificateprocess.

El Paso Energy Corp. will sell East Tennessee Natural Gas, theSea Robin Pipeline and its interest in Destin Pipeline to gainFederal Trade Commission (FTC) approval of its merger with SonatInc. El Paso said yesterday it has signed a consent agreement withthe FTC and expects the agency to sign “shortly.” Subject to FTCand FERC regulatory approval, El Paso Energy and Sonat expect toclose the merger in early October.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has outlined thestructure of its new Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates (OMTR),part of its FERC First reorganization. The office, headed by DanielL. Larcamp, will include three geographic divisions of rates andtariffs for gas and electric services. Michael A. Coleman, from theOffice of Electric Power Regulation will serve as director of thewest division; Robert J. Cupina, from the Office of PipelineRegulation (OPR) will serve as director of the central division andAlice Fernandez from OPR will serve as director of the Eastdivision.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved theabandonment by Avoca Natural Gas Storage of its unfinished saltcavern storage facility in southwestern New York State. Theabandonment order issued last week follows Avoca’s bankruptcyproceedings and plans for sale of the facility to Northeastern GasCaverns LLC, a New York company.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved theabandonment by Avoca Natural Gas Storage of its unfinished saltcavern storage facility in southwestern New York State. Theabandonment order issued Monday follows Avoca’s bankruptcyproceedings and plans for sale of the facility to Northeastern GasCaverns LLC, a New York company.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is looking forvolunteers for a pilot project for electronic filing of documentsin Commission proceedings over the Internet beginning Oct. 1, 1999.The pilot will test FERC’s computer systems and be limited tomotions and notices to intervene, protests, comments and relatedfilings. Participants must still file paper copies during thetesting period.