Michigan Gas Storage Company; Notice of Application

Take notice that on September 1, 2000, Michigan Gas Storage Company (MGSCo), 212 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201, filed a request with the Commission in Docket No. CP00-453-000 pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for authorization to construct and operate four wells and associated facilities in its Cranberry Lake Storage Field, Clare County, Michigan, all as more fully set forth in the application which is open to the public for inspection. This application may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/ rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).

MGSCo proposes to construct and operate four wells in the Cranberry Lake Storage Field to improve field deliverability. MGSCo states that it would drill the wells from a common surface pad location using horizontal drilling technology. The wells would have individual measurement facilities and be connected to the Cranberry Field Header by two 8-inch well laterals approximately 175 feet in length. All surface facilities, including the well laterals, would be located on a parcel of land owned by MGSCo. MGSCo also states that it needs the wells to shorten the withdrawal season so that more of the field working gas can be effectively cycled. MGSCo further states that it would drill the wells to more effectively drain the field in an area considered to be underutilized because of existing well spacing. MGSCo estimates that the proposed wells would cost an estimated $2,016,028 to install and that it would recover the cost in a future Section 4 rate proceeding.

Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with reference to said application should on or before September 29, 2000, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene or a protest 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). All protests filed with the Commission will be considered by it in determining the appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a party in any hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules. Any questions regarding the application should be directed to Francis X. Berkemeier, Attorney, Michigan Gas Storage Company, 212 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201, telephone (517) 788-2115.

A person obtaining intervenor 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 everyone of the intervenors. An intervenor can file for rehearing of any Commission order and can petition for court review of any such order. However, an intervenor must submit copies of comments or any filing it makes with the Commission to every other intervenor in the proceeding, as well as 14 copies with the Commission.

A person does not have to intervene, however, in order to have comments considered. A person, instead, may submit two copies of comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of environmental documents and will be able to participate in meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission and will not have the right to seek rehearing or appeal the Commission's final order at a federal court.

The Commission will consider all comments and concerns equally, whether filed by commenters or those requesting intervenor status.

Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in and subject to the jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the NGA and the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on this application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter finds that the proposal is required by the public convenience and necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or if the Commission on its own motion believes that a formal hearing is required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given.

Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, it will be unnecessary for MGSCo to appear or be represented at the hearing.