Many Tariff changes in southern Natural's Rate Case still Disputed; Notification Time Frame for Right-of-First-Refusal (ROFR) Conflicts with Current Policy; ROFR Bidders Should Not Have to Match Bids for Expansion Service

摘要

Southern Natural Gas Co. (RP09-427) is not nearly out of the woods with respect to revised tariff sheets filed along with its general rate case - and further revised after a FERC staff technical conference. Background. Southern filed its case with FERC on March 2, prompting a slew of protests on March 16. One week later, Southern submitted a comprehensive rebuttal and agreed that some tariff issues can be resolved through a technical conference. Southern argued, in particular, that it needs timely consideration of its proposed tracker mechanisms as alternatives to traditional ratemaking. An April 1 FERC order suspended the filing for the maximum five months (through September 1), subject to the outcome of a technical conference and a hearing.