Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.; Notice of Application

Take notice that on November 20, 2001, Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. (Iroquois), One Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Shelton, Connecticut 06484, filed an application in the above-referenced docket number pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Parts 157 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing Iroquois to construct and operate its Brookfield Expansion Project (Brookfield Project). The application is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “RIMS” link, select “Docket#” and follow the instructions (please call (202) 208-2222 for assistance).

In order to implement the Brookfield Project, Iroquois requests authorization to construct and operate a new compressor unit, with 10,000 (nominal) horsepower, at a proposed compressor station to be located in Brookfield, Connecticut. Iroquois has conducted non-binding open seasons for additional firm transportation capacity on its system. In addition, from September 5, 2001 through September 19, 2001, Iroquois solicited its existing customers for permanently released capacity that could be used by the expansion shippers. Because no shipper released capacity, Iroquois has executed Precedent Agreements with Astoria Energy Company, L.P. (Astoria Energy) and PPL EnergyPlus, LLC (PPL Energy) for firm transportation service commencing September 1, 2003. The proposed facilities are designed to provide up to 60,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity to Astoria Energy and up to 25,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity to PPL Energy. SCS Energy, LLC (SCS), an affiliate of Astoria Energy, is developing a 1,000 MW electric generation facility in Astoria, Queens, New York with a proposed in-service date of November 1, 2003. PPL Energy is a marketing company seeking firm natural gas service to South Commack, New York.

Iroquois states that the construction and operation of the Brookfield Project will have minimal impact on landowners and the environment. Iroquois indicates that minimal tree clearing will take place at the compressor station site, which will provide an additional barrier to minimize potential visual and/or noise impacts of the new compressor unit.

The total cost of the Brookfield Project is estimated to be approximately $24,637,000. Iroquois proposes to charge its Part 284 open-access RTS rates for the new service and to roll the costs of the project into its first Section 4 rate proceeding which becomes effective after the in-service date of the proposed facilities.

Any questions regarding the application be directed to Jeffrey A. Bruner, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Iroquois, One Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Shelton, Connecticut 06484, at (203) 925-7200, or Donald F. Sanata, Jr., attorney for Iroquois, Troutman Saunders, LLP, 401 Ninth Street, NW., Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004, at (202) 274-2815.

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before December 20, 2001, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

The Commission may issue a preliminary determination on non-environmental issues prior to the completion of its review of the environmental aspects of the project. This preliminary determination typically considers such issues as the need for the project and its economic effect on existing customers of the applicant, on other pipelines in the area, and on landowners and communities. For example, the Commission considers the extent to which the applicant may need to exercise eminent domain to obtain rights-of-way for the proposed project and balances that against the non-environmental benefits to be provided by the project. Therefore, if a person has comments on community and landowner impacts from this proposal, it is important either to file comments or to intervene as early in the process as possible.

Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link.

If the Commission decides to set the application for a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the Commission will issue another notice describing that process. At the end of the Commission's review process, a final Commission order approving or denying a certificate will be issued.