Overview
Title
Combined Notice of Filings
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Energy Department and FERC announced that some companies are making changes to how they handle natural gas, and people can share their thoughts about these changes before the end of April.
Summary AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings. The document details three specific filings: one from Great Basin Gas Transmission Company correcting a system map, another from Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC updating service procedures, and a compliance filing from Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC. Individuals can submit comments or protests on these filings by April 28, 2025. FERC also encourages public participation and provides resources to help the public navigate filing processes.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) addresses recent filings related to natural gas pipeline rates and compliance reports. It describes specific filings from three companies: Great Basin Gas Transmission Company, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC, and Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC. These filings involve corrections and updates to service procedures and compliance with prior Commission actions.
General Summary
The notice alerts the public to new regulatory filings related to natural gas pipelines, which include proposed changes to rates and operational procedures. Stakeholders are invited to comment or protest these filings, with a deadline set for April 28, 2025. The document also emphasizes the importance of public participation in these regulatory processes and provides contact information for those who need assistance in navigating these complex filings.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from the way the document presents information:
- The absence of an abstract might make it challenging for readers to quickly grasp the essence of the notice.
- Technical jargon such as "Rate Filing," "Compliance filing," and specific docket numbers could confuse those not familiar with regulatory practices.
- Terms referring to regulations, such as "18 CFR 385.211," might not be accessible to a general audience without legal knowledge.
- The detailed instructions concerning public participation, although present, may benefit from more emphasis to ensure the public is aware of their rights and how to exercise them.
Broader Public Impact
This notice has the potential to impact the public by informing them of changes that could affect natural gas rates and services. Public awareness of the opportunity to comment can empower individuals and communities, allowing them to influence decisions that might impact their utility costs or energy services. FERC's emphasis on public participation is a positive step towards transparency and community involvement.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For companies involved, these filings are a standard part of regulatory compliance, potentially affecting their operational efficiency and financial plans. The correction to the system map by Great Basin Gas Transmission and the update to service procedures by Gulf South Pipeline suggest efforts to improve clarity and efficiency, likely benefiting both the companies and their customers.
However, changes to compliance or service procedures might raise concerns for consumers or environmental groups worried about pipeline safety, environmental impact, or energy prices. These stakeholders might view the comment period as an essential opportunity for engagement and advocacy.
Overall, while the document serves as a critical communication tool in regulatory processes, enhancing its accessibility and public engagement focus could help bridge the gap between complex regulatory language and public understanding.
Issues
• The document lacks an abstract, which could provide a concise summary of its content.
• The term 'Rate Filing' may not be immediately clear to those unfamiliar with regulatory language, suggesting a need for a brief definition or context.
• The term 'Compliance filing' might be unclear to those without regulatory expertise, necessitating a simple explanation.
• The document uses jargon such as 'Docket Numbers,' 'Accession Number,' and references to specific regulations (e.g., 18 CFR 385.211), which may be confusing to a general audience.
• Provisions related to public participation and intervention, while included, could be more prominently highlighted to ensure broader visibility and understanding of public rights and processes.
• The document could be made more accessible by reducing overly formal language and including more laypersons' terms for general comprehension.