FERC approves GISB pipeline standards

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a final rule standardizing the business practices of open access gas pipelines. FERC adopted, without modification, standards that the Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) had proposed. At the suggestion of industry participants, it did not require all pipelines to comply by Jan. 1 but staggered the deadlines for various pipelines between Apr. 1 and June 1, 1997. Compliance tariffs must be filed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, 1996.

July 29, 1996

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a final rule standardizing the business practices of open access gas pipelines.

FERC adopted, without modification, standards that the Gas Industry Standards Board (GISB) had proposed.

At the suggestion of industry participants, it did not require all pipelines to comply by Jan. 1 but staggered the deadlines for various pipelines between Apr. 1 and June 1, 1997. Compliance tariffs must be filed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, 1996.

The commission said the standards are "important elements in creating an integrated gas pipeline grid to complement the deregulated market for gas." The standards will enable shippers to use the same procedures to conduct business on all interstate pipelines.

Mary Jane McCartney, GISB chairman and Consolidated Edison Co.'s gas operations senior vice-president, said the FERC action "constitutes a major landmark in the development of an open and competitive natural gas marketplace.

"The hundreds of volunteers from all segments of the industry who helped develop these standards should feel very proud of their accomplishment."