SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8011

BYSenators Smitherman, Warnke, Nelson, Benitz, Cantu, Stratton and Owen

Requesting approval of Kern river pipeline project by federal energy regulatory commission.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 3, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Williams, Chairman; Owen, Vice Chairman; Benitz, Cantu, Nelson, Smitherman, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Judy Young (786-7455)

                  March 13, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

A joint venture of the Williams Companies and Tenneco, Inc., has formed the Kern River Gas Transmission Company for the purpose of constructing an interstate natural gas pipeline to deliver natural gas from Canada and the Rocky Mountains to be used in the recovery of heavy crude oil in Kern County, California.  The interstate pipeline would begin near Opal, Wyoming.  It would intersect with the Northwest Pipeline.  The line would be 762 miles of underground 36-inch pipe through Utah and Nevada.  It would terminate in Kern County, California.  Gas delivery is planned for 1989.

Northwest Pipeline Corporation estimates that natural gas users in Washington State would save $24,000,000 per year once the pipeline is completed.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Legislature requests the President, Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to facilitate the construction and operation of the Kern River Pipeline Project by Kern River Gas Transmission Company.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Cuba Wadlington, Kern River Gas Transmission Company; Scott Nelson, Washington Natural Gas Company