Thurston

Williams is holding an open season to gather market interest in capacity on its proposed Gray’s Harbor Lateral in Thurston County, WA. The lateral, which would extend off of Northwest Pipeline’s mainline near Vail, is being designed primarily to serve a new electric generation plant in the Sarsop Development park near Elma, WA. The first 36 miles of the 48-mile line will parallel Northwest’s existing Olympia and McCleary laterals. So far, the plant operator has signed an agreement for 161,500 Dth/d of firm capacity on the lateral, which is scheduled to be in service in November 2002. Northwest expects to charge its minimum rate plus an estimated surcharge of 29 cents/Dth for the facility cost of service. Williams said it is seeking 15-year contracts. For more information call Patrick Aman at (801) 584-6322. Precedent agreements must be submitted by April 20. Williams said if its anchor shipper backs out of the deal, it will cancel the project and all service agreements will be terminated.