Columbia Gulf Defends Both Primary Rates and Prospective, Preferred Rate Design Proposals after its Section 4 Filing at FERC Draws Substantial Number of Protests

摘要

Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. (RP11-1435) defended its rate and tariff case filed at FERC pursuant to section 4 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) at the end of October after a slew of protests and comments challenged the premises of some of the pipeline company's calculations and proposals. The pipeline urged the Commission to accept, suspend and set for hearing, subject to refund, the Primary Rates and to include in any hearing the Preferred Rates for which prospective effect is requested. Although Columbia Gulf disagrees with protestors' characterizations and allegations regarding its rate and tariff revisions, Columbia Gulf agrees that rate issues are best addressed in an evidentiary hearing and that specific questions raised regarding the non-rate tariff changes are best resolved in a technical conference.