NOTICE OF WORKSHOP ON NATURAL GAS STORAGE
At the Regulatory Commission of Alaska's (RCA) November 12, 2009
public meeting, ENSTAR Natural Gas Company (ENSTAR) presented its plans to
secure natural gas storage in Alaska. ENSTAR explained the seasonal
fluctuation in its demand for natural gas supplies, and the difficulties this
fluctuating demand creates for natural gas suppliers. ENSTAR described some
benefits of developing natural gas storage facilities and presented information
regarding the operation of natural gas storage facilities.
ENSTAR stated it would like to secure natural gas storage service by
winter 2011 to ensure the company is able to meet anticipated demand. As part
of its efforts to secure storage service, ENSTAR is negotiating with another party
that may develop natural gas storage facilities in Alaska.
ENSTAR requested an expedited schedule that included workshops in
early December 2009, a possible application for a certificate authorizing storage
service by January 2010, natural gas injected into storage facilities by summer of
2011, and natural gas storage service in place by winter 2011. The workshops
would allow interested entities and stakeholders to discuss issues related to
natural gas storage service in Alaska.
The RCA voted to identify possible dates for a workshop and directed Staff
to work with potentially impacted utilities and parties to draft an agenda to guide
discussions at the workshop. The workshop was again discussed at the RCA's
December 2, 2009 public meeting. This notice identifies some of the major issues
that could be discussed at the workshop and sets the date and time for the
workshop.
Natural Gas Storage Facilities
-
What types of storage are used throughout the United States?
-
What types of storage are proposed in the Cook Inlet Basin?
Regulatory Oversight
-
How do other states regulate natural gas reservoir storage facilities?
-
Can a natural gas reservoir storage facility be regulated as a public utility
under AS 42.05, or as a common carrier pipeline under AS 42.06?
Cost Recovery:
-
How should costs be recovered by the owner/operator of a natural gas
reservoir storage facility?
-
How should costs be recovered by public utilities and common carrier
pipelines that use the services provided by a natural gas reservoir storage
facility?
Application:
-
What application format would be appropriate if the natural gas storage
facility is regulated as a public utility under AS 42.05 or as a common
carrier pipeline under AS 42.06?
-
What existing statutory and regulatory timelines would apply to
applications submitted under AS 42.05 and AS 42.06?
-
What steps are necessary to allow the RCA's timelines to match the
proposed project timeline?
The workshop format will provide interested and affected entities the
opportunity to discuss the appropriate level of regulatory oversight over natural
gas reservoir storage facilities and to discuss related commercial issues. The
RCA is hosting the workshop to provide an informal open environment that is
intended to encourage all interested parties to participate. The workshop will not
be recorded or transcribed. The workshop will allow participants to work towards
consensus on issues related to natural gas storage facilities on Alaska. The
workshop will not result in any decision by the RCA regarding the regulation of
natural gas storage facilities.
The workshop will be held December 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the RCA's
East Hearing Room, located at 701 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage,
Alaska. Telephonic participation is available for those that cannot attend in
person.
Persons interested in appearing telephonically should contact Jim
Ernstsen at
millard.ernstsen@alaska.gov>
or Morgan Robinson at
morgan.robinson@alaska.gov>
to make necessary arrangements. The
duration of the workshop will depend upon the level of participation.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska this 2nd day of December
2009.
REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
Rich Gazaway
Advisory Section Manager
Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special
accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats,
please contact Joyce McGowan at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782,
or TTY (907) 276-4533 or send a request via electronic mail to
rca.mail@alaska.gov">rca.mail@alaska.gov rca.mail@alaska.gov">rca.mail@alaska.gov>
by December 7, 2009.
Date Issued: 12/3/2009