Regulations Governing the Conduct of Open Seasons for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects

Résumé

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its regulations to establish requirements governing the conduct of open seasons for proposals to construct Alaska natural gas transportation projects. These proposed regulations are intended to fulfill the Commission's responsibilities to issue open season regulations under section 103 of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act (the Act), enacted on October 13, 2004. Section 103(e)(1) of the Act directs the Commission, within 120 days from enactment of the Act, to promulgate regulations governing the conduct of open seasons for Alaska natural gas transportation projects, including procedures for allocation of capacity. According to section 103(e)(2) of the Act, these regulations must include the criteria for and timing of any open season, promote competition in the exploration, development, and production of Alaska natural gas, and for any open seasons for capacity exceeding the initial capacity, provide for the opportunity for the transportation of natural gas other than from the Prudhoe Bay and Point Thomson units.