FERC ACCEPTS AND SUSPENDS FOR MAXIMUM PERIOD, SETS HEARING, TO SCRUTINIZE RATE CASE FILED BY NATIONAL FUEL GAS SUPPLY CORP.

摘要

On 11/30/11 FERC accepted and suspended a general rate increase filing made a month earlier by National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. (RP12-88). In its filing, National Fuel submitted two sets of proposed tariff records with alternative rate structures for consideration by the Commission: actual tariff records as its Base Case and pro forma tariff records as its Preferred Case. National Fuel's Base and Preferred Cases are substantially similar, except that the Preferred Case eliminates National Fuel's existing Niagara rate zone and certain related differences. The proposed tariff records reflecting the Base Case include rates calculated using the pipeline's current rate structure, and new and revised tariff provisions related to its operations. National Fuel proposes that the Base Case be placed into effect on December 1, or at the end of any suspension period. The pro forma tariff proposal, the pipeline's Preferred Case, reflects the elimination of National Fuel's existing Niagara rate zones by rolling the costs of the Niagara facilities into the system-wide cost of service. The Preferred Case also includes non-rate tariff proposals identical to those in the Base Case. National Fuel filed the pro forma Preferred Case on a prospective basis only.