In Turnabout, FERC Grants State of Alaska and Anadarko's Requests That TAPS End Life Be Part of the Issues Set for Hearing in Pending Rate Cases

摘要

On 12/10/09 FERC granted requests of The State of Alaska and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. for rehearing of the Commission's 4/29/09 order that, among other things, accepted and suspended, subject to refund, ExxonMobil Pipeline Co.'s 2009 tariff filing for Exxon's share of capacity on the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) and established hearing procedures. (BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc. et a/. (IS09-348 et a/.)) For several reasons, the Commission granted rehearing sought by Alaska and Anadarko on the end-life issue. This order also includes a clarification of the operation of the uniform rate policy. At one point Anadarko requested the Commission to clarify that the uniform rate constitutes a maximum rate for TAPS, but it does not obligate all Carriers to file for and charge the maximum rate. "We agree and clarify that the uniform rates will establish the maximum rate, but carriers may charge a lesser rate," this order stated.