Granted

In a rehearing decision Wednesday, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) reduced the annual base rate revenue increase granted to Nicor Gas to $49.7 million from $54.2 million. Nicor estimates that the shift of certain revenues and credits between base rates and the purchase gas adjustment rider will reduce its annual net revenue increase to about $30.2 million, compared to $34.7 million under a prior order issued last fall. Appeals of the original order have been filed by Nicor and other parties in the state appellate courts.

FERC on Friday granted Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline LLC’s request to begin the pre-filing process for a proposed pipeline that would provide service from Cheniere LNG’s 2.6 Bcf/d Sabine Pass import terminal, which is under construction in Cameron Parish, LA.

FERC has granted Venice Gathering System LLC temporary waivers of agency standards of conduct dealing with the posting and recording of information on its website to spur the restoration of its hurricane-damaged system along the Louisiana coast.

Nicor Inc. said Monday that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted a motion last week filed by its gas distribution company, Nicor Gas, to adjust its base rates to recover $54.2 million, compared to the $48.8 million allowed under tariffs previously filed on Oct. 4. Because the order shifted certain revenues and credits between base rates and the purchase gas adjustment rider, the company estimates that the actual annual net revenue increase will be about $34.7 million under the newly revised tariffs, compared to $29.3 million under the previously filed tariffs.

Regulatory approvals of Kinder Morgan’s $5.6 billion purchase of Terasen Inc. came in rapid fashion with the final green light granted by Investment Canada on Wednesday, only three months after the massive cross-border combination was first announced.

Discovery Gas Transmission LLC is holding an open season through Oct. 21 to transport up to 250 MMcf of gas stranded following Hurricane Katrina. FERC on Tuesday granted an emergency exemption and waivers to the pipeline to expedite the gas transportation project because of damage to a Dynegy Inc. processing plant in Venice, LA. The petition by Discovery asserted it could take up to a year to rebuild the Venice plant.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) granted Gulf producers some temporary relief Thursday, publishing a final rule and a notice in the Federal Register that give producers who were impacted by the hurricanes an extension of time for reporting and payment of royalties.

FERC on Tuesday granted Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (NGPL) waivers of its tariff and agency regulations to mitigate the effect of planned repairs on its Amarillo Line to its shippers.

Occidental Petroleum’s proposed Ingleside, TX, LNG terminal and associated San Patricio Pipeline were granted a favorable final environmental impact statement (FEIS) on Friday by FERC. The Commission said the 1 Bcf/d terminal, which would be located near Occidental’s chemical plant on Corpus Christi Bay, would have limited adverse impact on the environment if certain recommended mitigating measures are taken by the company.