One June 25, 2007, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) issued Order No. 698.  which included  new standards that were promulgated by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) and the Wholesale Electric Quadrant (WEQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (“NAESB”)  requiring interstate natural gas pipelines and power plant operators, transmission owners and operators, independent balancing authorities and/or regional reliability coordinators to establish communication procedures to improve communications for the coordination of gas transportation scheduling and the operations of gas-fired generators. 

 

WEQ Standard 011-1.2/WGQ Standard 0.3.12

WGQ Standard 0.3.12 requires pipelines and power plant operators to communicate material changes in circumstances that may impact hourly flow rates, and the power plant operator to provide projected hourly flow rates accordingly  GTN has contacted each of the electric generation facilities directly connected to its pipeline system to confirm existing communication protocols.  GTN will use its existing communication processes to communicate with power plant operators changes in circumstances that may impact hourly flow rates.   

WEQ Standard 011-1.4 and WGQ Standard 0.3.14

Standard 011-1.4 requires RTOs, ISOs, independent transmission operators and/or power plant operators to sign up to receive operational flow orders and other critical notices from the appropriate transportation service provider(s), while Standard 0.3.14 requires transportation service providers to provide operational flow orders and other critical notices to RTOs, ISOs, independent transmission operators, and power plant operators.  To comply with WGQ Standard 0.3.14, GTN will continue to use existing processes whereby changes in maintenance schedules, unscheduled maintenance, unanticipated repairs or equipment failures that impact gas flows on the pipeline system are both posted on GTN’s Internet website (http://www.gastransmissionnw.com/) and at the same time “pushed out” via an e-mail distribution list containing contact information previously provided by shippers, connecting pipelines, LDCs, directly connected facilities, and other interested parties.  In addition, GTN has created an “OFO E-mail Distribution List,” which will be used to distribute information relating to the issuance, causes, remedies, and termination of any Operational Flow Orders issued by the pipeline.  Any party wishing to receive information via the e-mail distribution lists may do so by contacting the EBB Services Group at (503) 833-4300, option 2, and providing their desired contact information.

 Any questions regarding communication protocols can be addressed by contacting the manager of Gas Control at 503-833-4201.

 

Jay Story

Director, Gas Control and Transportation Services