Kansas Corporation Commission authorizes intervention in FERC docket RP26-609

Chair French presided over a Kansas Corporation Commission meeting March 26 in which commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the commission's Washington, D.C., counsel to file a timely motion to intervene and to file comments in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission docket RP26-609.

Brian Fedotin, a KCC staff presenter, told commissioners that on Feb. 27 Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company LP had "filed a petition for declaratory order at FERC asking FERC to grant market-based rate authority for storage service" in the Central Southwest market. Fedotin said commission staff is concerned the petition, if granted, "could adversely impact Kansas ratepayers" and noted intervention and comments are due March 30.

"I will move the commission authorize our DC counsel to file a motion for timely intervention in docket number RP26-609 and to take such action therein as necessary to protect the interests of Kansas ratepayers," Chair French said when presenting the motion. A commissioner seconded the motion and the three commissioners voted "aye." The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Commissioners did not announce additional conditions or a planned schedule for the content of comments; Chair French said comments would be filed after the commission's internal review process. The commission did not name the DC counsel in the hearing record.

The commission's action directs staff and outside counsel to participate in the FERC docket to monitor developments and to preserve the KCC's ability to protect state ratepayers. The hearing concluded with no further business and the commission adjourned.

Next procedural step: intervention and comments must be submitted to FERC by the March 30 deadline noted by staff.