---
kind: "range"
citation: "18 C.F.R. §§ 157.208–157.218"
title: "18"
from: "157.208"
to: "157.218"
count: 11
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/18/157.208..157.218"
---

# §157.208. Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** If the project cost does not exceed the cost limitations set forth in column 1 of table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, or if the project is required to restore service in an emergency, the certificate holder is authorized to make miscellaneous rearrangements of any facility, or acquire, construct, replace, or operate any eligible facility. The certificate holder shall not segment projects in order to meet the cost limitations set forth in column 1 of table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d).
- (b) **Prior notice.** If the project cost is greater than the amount specified in column 1 of table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, but less than the amount specified in column 2 of table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d), the certificate holder is authorized to make miscellaneous rearrangements of any facility, or acquire, construct, replace, or operate any eligible facility. The certificate holder shall not segment projects in order to meet the cost limitations set forth in column 2 of table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d).
- (c) **Contents of request.** In addition to the requirements of [§ 157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b), requests filed for activities described under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section shall contain:
  - (1) A description of the purpose of the proposed facilities including their relationship to other existing or planned facilities;
  - (2) A detailed description of the proposed facilities specifying length, diameter, wall thickness and maximum operating pressure for pipeline; and for compressors, the size, type, and number of compressor units, horsepower required, horsepower existing and proposed, volume of fuel gas, suction and discharge pressure and compression ratio;
  - (3) **A USGS 7 1/2 minute series (scale 1—** 24000) topographic map (or map of equivalent or greater detail, as appropriate) showing the location of the proposed facilities, and indicating the location of any sensitive environmental areas within one-quarter mile of project-related construction activities;
  - (4) A map showing the relationship of the proposed facilities to the applicant's existing facilities;
  - (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity, daily maximum capacity and operating pressures with and without the proposed facilities for that portion of the certificate holder's system affected by the proposal;
  - (6) The estimated cost and method of financing the proposed facilities;
  - (7) A statement explaining how the public convenience and necessity requires the approval of the project;
  - (8) **For acquisitions of facilities—**
    - (i) A statement referencing the date of issuance, docket number and title of the proceeding for any certificate issued by the Commission authorizing the facilities proposed to be acquired; and
    - (ii) The amounts recorded in the accounts of the vendor (seller or lessor) that apply to the facilities proposed to be acquired and the accumulated provisions for depreciation, depletion, and amortization;
  - (9) A concise analysis discussing the relevant issues outlined in [§ 380.12](/cfr/18/380.12.md) of this chapter. The analysis must identify the existing environmental conditions and the expected significant impacts that the proposed action, including proposed mitigation measures, will cause to the quality of the human environment, including impact expected to occur to sensitive environmental areas. When compressor facilities are proposed, the analysis must also describe how the proposed action will be made to comply with applicable State Implementation Plans developed under the Clean Air Act. The analysis must also include a description of the contacts made, reports produced, and results of consultations which took place to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act. Include a copy of the agreements received for compliance with the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act, or if no written concurrence is issued, a description of how the agency relayed its opinion to the company. Describe how drilling for wells or horizontal direction drilling would be designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation would be offered to landowners.
  - (10) **A commitment to having the Environmental Inspector's report filed every week.**
- (d) **Limits and inflation adjustment.** The limits specified in table 1 to this [paragraph (d)](#d) and table 1 to [§ 157.215(a)(5)](/cfr/18/157.215.md?p=a-5) shall be adjusted each calendar year to reflect the “GDP implicit price deflator” published by the Department of Commerce for the previous calendar year. The Director of the Office of Energy Projects is authorized to compute and publish limits for future calendar years as a part of table 1 to this [paragraph (d)](#d) and table 1 to [§ 157.215(a)(5)](/cfr/18/157.215.md?p=a-5), pursuant to [§ 375.308(x)(1)](/cfr/18/375.308.md?p=x-1) of this chapter.
- (e) **Reporting requirements.** For each facility completed during the calendar year pursuant to [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section and [§ 157.213(a)](/cfr/18/157.213.md?p=a), the certificate holder shall file in the manner prescribed in §§ [157.6(a)](/cfr/18/157.6.md?p=a) and [385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter as part of the required annual report under [§ 157.207(a)](/cfr/18/157.207.md?p=a) the information described in [paragraphs (e)(1)-(5)](#e-1..e-5) of this section. For each facility completed during the calendar year pursuant to [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, and §§ [157.210](/cfr/18/157.210.md), [157.212](/cfr/18/157.212.md), and [157.213(b)](/cfr/18/157.213.md?p=b), the certificate holder shall file in the manner prescribed above only the information described in [paragraph (e)(3)](#e-3) of this section.
  - (1) A description of the facilities installed pursuant to this section, including a description of the length and size of pipelines, compressor horsepower, metering facilities, taps, valves, and any other facilities constructed;
  - (2) The specific purpose, location, and beginning and completion date of construction of the facilities installed, the date service commenced, and, if applicable, a statement indicating the extent to which the facilities were jointly constructed;
  - (3) The actual installed cost of each facility item listed pursuant to [paragraph (e)(1)](#e-1), separately stating the cost of materials and labor as well as other costs allocable to the facilities;
  - (4)
    - (i) A description of the contacts made, reports produced, and results of consultations which took place to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act;
    - (ii) Documentation, including images, that restoration of work areas is progressing appropriately;
    - (iii) A discussion of problems or unusual construction issues, including those identified by affected landowners, and corrective actions taken or planned; and
    - (iv) For new or modified compression, a noise survey verifying compliance with [§ 157.206(b)(5)](/cfr/18/157.206.md?p=b-5).
  - (5) **For acquisitions of facilities—**
    - (i) A statement referencing the date of issuance, docket number and title of the proceeding for any certificate issued by the Commission authorizing the facilities acquired; and
    - (ii) The amounts recorded in the accounts of the vendor (seller or lessor) that apply to the facilities acquired and the accumulated provisions for depreciation, depletion, and amortization.
- (f) **Special conditions.**
  - (1) For purposes of comparing the project cost of leased facilities with the per-project cost limitations in table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, the project cost of leased facilities shall be the annual lease charge multiplied by the number of years of the lease.
  - (2) In the interest of safety and reliability of service, facilities authorized by the certificate shall not be operated at pressures exceeding the maximum operating pressure set forth in the request. In the event that the certificate holder thereafter wishes to change the maximum operating pressure of supply or delivery lateral facilities constructed under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act or facilities constructed under this section, it shall file an appropriate request pursuant to the procedures set forth in [§ 157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b). Such request shall include the reasons for the proposed change. Nothing contained herein authorizes the certificate holder to operate any facility at a pressure above the maximum prescribed by State law, if such law requires a lower pressure than authorized hereby.
- (g) If the actual cost of the project exceeds the per-project cost authorized under a blanket certificate in table 1 to [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, the certificate holder shall apply to the Director of the Office of Energy Projects for a waiver of those project cost limits.

# §157.209. Temporary compression facilities.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** If the cost does not exceed the cost limitations set forth in column 1 of table 1 to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d), the certificate holder may install, operate and remove temporary facilities provided that the temporary compressor facilities shall not be used to increase the volume or service above that rendered by the involved existing permanent compressor unit(s).
- (b) **Reporting requirements.** As part of the certificate holder's annual report of projects authorized under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, the certificate holder must report the following in the manner prescribed in §§ [157.6(a)](/cfr/18/157.6.md?p=a) and [385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter;
  - (1) A description of the temporary compression facility, including the size, type and number of compressor units;
  - (2) The location at which temporary compression was installed, operated and removed, including its location relative to existing facilities;
  - (3) A description of the permanent compression facility which was unavailable, and a statement explaining the reason for the temporary compression;
  - (4) The dates for which the temporary compression was installed, operated and removed; and
  - (5) If applicable, the information required in [§ 157.208(e)(4)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=e-4).

# §157.210. Mainline natural gas facilities.


Subject to the notice requirements of §§ [157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b) and [157.208(c)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=c), the certificate holder is authorized to acquire, construct, modify, replace, and operate natural gas mainline facilities, including compression and looping, that are not eligible facilities under [§ 157.202(b)(2)(i)](/cfr/18/157.202.md?p=b-2-i). The cost of a project may not exceed the cost limitation provided in column 2 of table 1 to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d). The certificate holder must not segment projects in order to meet this cost limitation.


# §157.211. Delivery points.

- (a) **Construction and operation—**
  - (1) **Automatic authorization.** The certificate holder may acquire, construct, replace, modify, or operate any delivery point, excluding the construction of certain delivery points subject to the prior notice provisions in [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section if:
    - (i) The natural gas is being delivered to, or for the account of, a shipper for whom the certificate holder is, or will be, authorized to transport gas; and
    - (ii) **The certificate holder's tariff does not prohibit the addition of new delivery points.**
  - (2) **Prior notice.** Subject to the notice procedure in [§ 157.205](/cfr/18/157.205.md), the certificate holder may acquire, construct, replace, modify, or operate any delivery point if:
    - (i) The natural gas is being delivered to, or for the account of, an end-user that is currently being served by a local distribution company; and
    - (ii) The natural gas is being delivered to a shipper for whom the certificate holder is, or will be, authorized to transport gas; and
    - (iii) **The certificate holder's tariff does not prohibit the addition of new delivery points.**
- (b) **Contents of request.** In addition to the requirements of [§ 157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b), requests for activities authorized under [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) must contain:
  - (1) The name of the end-user, the location of the delivery point, and the distribution company currently serving the end-user;
  - (2) A description of the facility and any appurtenant facilities;
  - (3) **A USGS 7 1/2-minute series (scale 1—** 24,000 or 1:25,000) topographic map (or map of equivalent or greater detail, as appropriate) showing the location of the proposed facilities;
  - (4) The quantity of gas to be delivered through the proposed facility;
  - (5) A description, with supporting data, of the impact of the service rendered through the proposed delivery tap upon the certificate holder's peak day and annual deliveries.
- (c) **Reporting requirements.** As part of the certificate holder's annual report of projects authorized under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, the certificate holder must report in the manner prescribed in §§ [157.6(a)](/cfr/18/157.6.md?p=a) and [385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter:
  - (1) A description of the facilities acquired, constructed, replaced, modified or operated pursuant to this section;
  - (2) The location and maximum quantities delivered at such delivery point;
  - (3) The actual cost and the completion date of the delivery point; and
  - (4) The date of each agreement obtained pursuant to [§ 157.206(b)(3)](/cfr/18/157.206.md?p=b-3) and the date construction began.

# §157.212. Synthetic and liquefied natural gas facilities.


Subject to the notice requirements of §§ [157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b) and [157.208(c)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=c), the certificate holder is authorized to acquire, construct, modify, replace, and operate natural gas facilities that are used to transport either a mix of synthetic and natural gas or exclusively revaporized liquefied natural gas and that are not “related jurisdictional natural gas facilities” as defined in [§ 153.2(e)](/cfr/18/153.2.md?p=e) of this chapter. The cost of a project may not exceed the cost limitation provided in column 2 of table 1 to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d). The certificate holder must not segment projects in order to meet this cost limitation.


# §157.213. Underground storage field facilities.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** If the project cost does not exceed the cost limitations provided in column 1 of table 1 to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d), the certificate holder may acquire, construct, modify, replace, and operate facilities for the remediation and maintenance of an existing underground storage facility, provided the storage facility's certificated physical parameters—including total inventory, reservoir pressure, reservoir and buffer boundaries, and certificated capacity remain unchanged—and provided compliance with environmental and safety provisions is not affected. The certificate holder must not alter the function of any well that is drilled into or is active in the management of the storage facility. The certificate holder must not segment projects in order to meet this cost limitation.
- (b) **Prior Notice.** Subject to the notice requirements of §§ [157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b) and [157.208(c)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=c), the certificate holder is authorized to acquire, construct, modify, replace, and operate natural gas underground storage facilities, provided the storage facility's certificated physical parameters—including total inventory, reservoir pressure, reservoir and buffer boundaries, and certificated capacity remain unchanged—and provided compliance with environmental and safety provisions is not affected. The cost of a project may not exceed the cost limitation provided in column 2 of table 1 to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d). the certificate holder must not segment projects in order to meet this cost limitation.
- (c) **Contents of request.** In addition to the requirements of §§ [157.206(b)](/cfr/18/157.206.md?p=b) and [157.208(c)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=c), requests for activities authorized under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section must contain, to the extent necessary to demonstrate that the proposed project will not alter a storage reservoir's total inventory, reservoir pressure, reservoir or buffer boundaries, or certificated capacity:
  - (1) A description of the current geological interpretation of the storage reservoir, including both the storage formation and the caprock, including summary analysis of any recent cross-sections, well logs, quantitative porosity and permeability data, and any other relevant data for both the storage reservoir and caprock;
  - (2) The latest isopach and structural maps of the storage field, showing the storage reservoir boundary, as defined by fluid contacts or natural geological barriers; the protective buffer boundary; the surface and bottomhole locations of the existing and proposed injection/withdrawal wells and observation wells; and the lengths of open-hole sections of existing and proposed injection/withdrawal wells;
  - (3) Isobaric maps (data from the end of each injection and withdrawal cycle) for the last three injection/withdrawal seasons, which include all wells, both inside and outside the storage reservoir and within the buffer area;
  - (4) A detailed description of present storage operations and how they may change as a result of the new facilities or modifications. Include a detailed discussion of all existing operational problems for the storage field, including but not limited to gas migration and gas loss;
  - (5) Current and proposed working gas volume, cushion gas volume, native gas volume, deliverability (at maximum and minimum pressure), maximum and minimum storage pressures, at the present certificated maximum capacity or pressure, with volumes and rates in MMcf and pressures in psia;
  - (6) The latest field injection/withdrawal capability studies including curves at present and proposed working gas capacity, including average field back pressure curves and all other related data;
  - (7) The latest inventory verification study for the storage field, including methodology, data, and work papers;
  - (8) The shut-in reservoir pressures (average) and cumulative gas-in-place (including native gas) at the beginning of each injection and withdrawal season for the last 10 years; and
  - (9) A detailed analysis, including data and work papers, to support the need for additional facilities (wells, gathering lines, headers, compression, dehydration, or other appurtenant facilities) for the modification of working gas/cushion gas ratio and/or to improve the capability of the storage field.

# §157.214. Increase in storage capacity.

- (a) **Prior notice.** Subject to the notice requirements of [§ 157.205](/cfr/18/157.205.md), the certificate holder is authorized to increase the maximum volume of natural gas authorized to be stored in a storage field to the extent that geological data and operating experience have demonstrated that a volume of natural gas greater than that currently certificated may be safely stored without the construction of additional facilities.
- (b) **Contents of request.** In addition to the requirements of [§ 157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b), requests filed for activities described in [paragraph (a)](#a) shall contain:
  - (1) Current and requested maximum storage capacity;
  - (2) Current and requested maximum storage pressure;
  - (3) Average depth of the storage formation;
  - (4) Copies of any geological or engineering studies that demonstrate the feasibility of the increase in storage volume; and
  - (5) **A statement setting forth the purpose of the proposed increased capacity.**
- (c) **Reporting requirements.** For any storage facility whose capacity is increased pursuant to this section, the certificate holder shall submit, in the manner prescribed in [§ 385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter, semi-annual reports (to coincide with the termination of the injection and withdrawal cycles) containing the information listed in subdivisions (1) through (8) of this paragraph. The certificate holder shall continue to file semi-annual reports until the storage inventory volume has reached, or closely approximates, the maximum specified in the request. Thereafter, the reports shall continue on a semi-annual basis for a period of one year. The filing of reports shall be discontinued thereafter unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. (Volumes shall be stated at 14.73 psia and 60 °F, and pressures shall be stated in psia.)
  - (1) **The daily volume of natural gas injected into and withdrawn from the storage reservoir.**
  - (2) **The volume of natural gas in the reservoir at the end of the reporting period.**
  - (3) The maximum daily injection or withdrawal rate experienced during the reporting period and the average working pressure on such maximum days taken at a central measuring point where the total volume injected or withdrawn is measured.
  - (4) Results of any tracer program by which the leakage of injected gas may be determined. If the leakage of gas exists, the report should show the estimated total volume of gas leakage, the volume of recycled gas and the remaining inventory of gas in the reservoir at the end of the reporting period.
  - (5) Any surveys of pressures in gas wells, water levels in observation wells, pump test results for the aquifer-type reservoirs, and the results of back-pressure tests conducted during the reporting period.
  - (6) The latest revised structure and isopachous contour maps showing the location of the wells, the location and extent of the gas bubble in the storage reservoir for aquifer-type reservoirs and in any other reservoirs of the project in which gas bubbles are known to exist. This map need not be filed if there is no material change from the map previously filed.
  - (7) **Discussion of current operating problems and conclusions.**
  - (8) Such other data or reports which may aid the Commission in the evaluation of the storage project.

# §157.215. Underground storage testing and development.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** The certificate holder is authorized to acquire, construct and operate natural gas pipeline and compression facilities, including injection, withdrawal, and observation wells for the testing or development of underground reservoirs for the possible storage of gas, if:
  - (1) The testing and development of a particular storage project will be completed within a three-year-period;
  - (2) The quantity of natural gas injected into the prospective storage fields pursuant to the blanket certificate does not exceed a total of 10,000,000 Mcf at any time in all fields with no more than 2,000,000 Mcf injected into any single field;
  - (3) Gas will be injected for testing purposes only during off-peak periods;
  - (4) The storage field developed pursuant to this section will not be utilized to render service without further authorization from the Commission, except that gas may be withdrawn on occasion for testing purposes; and
  - (5) The total expenditures per calendar year pursuant to this section do not exceed the amount specified in table 1 to this [paragraph (a)(5)](#a-5) as adjusted pursuant to [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d). These costs shall include expenditures for leases, wells, pipeline, compressors, and related facilities, but shall exclude the cost of the natural gas to be used for testing purposes.
- (b) **Reporting requirements—**
  - (1) **Annual reports.** For any storage project tested or developed pursuant to this section, the certificate holder shall file, in the manner prescribed in §§ [157.6(a)](/cfr/18/157.6.md?p=a) and [385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter as part of the annual report required under [§ 157.207(a)](/cfr/18/157.207.md?p=a), the following information:
    - (i) A description of the facilities constructed and the type of storage reservoir, i.e., gas expansion or dry gas, water-drive or aquifer;
    - (ii) The location of the facilities;
    - (iii) The cost of such facilities, the date construction began, and the date they were placed in service;
    - (iv) The monthly volumes of gas injected into and withdrawn from each reservoir;
    - (v) An estimate of the storage capacity and daily deliverability of each project; and
    - (vi) A description of the contacts made, reports produced, and results of consultations which took place to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
  - (2) **Quarterly reports.** If the reservoir to be tested and developed is an aquifer-type reservoir, the certificate holder shall file, in the manner prescribed in §§ [157.6(a)](/cfr/18/157.6.md?p=a) and [385.2011](/cfr/18/385.2011.md) of this chapter unless otherwise ordered by the commission, for each such project quarterly reports, under oath, until the project is either certificated for regular service or abandoned. The quarterly report shall contain the following information in addition to the data required by [paragraph (b)(1)](#b-1) of this section:
    - (i) The daily volumes of natural gas injected into and withdrawn from the aquifer during the quarter and the volume of gas in the aquifer at the end of each month;
    - (ii) The maximum daily injection or withdrawal rate experienced during the quarter and the average working pressure on such maximum days taken at a central measuring point where the total volume injected or withdrawn is measured;
    - (iii) Results of any tracer program by which leakage of gas may be determined;
    - (iv) Any pressure surveys of gas wells and water levels in observation wells conducted during the quarter by individual well, and copies of any core analyses, gamma ray, neutron or other electric log surveys and back-pressure tests taken during the quarter;
    - (v) A map of the storage project showing the location of the wells, the latest revised structure contours, and the location and extent of the gas bubble. This map need not be filed if there is no material change from the map previously filed; and
    - (vi) Such other data or reports which may aid the Commission in the evaluation of the project.
- (c) **Accounting.** The cost of any project ultimately determined to be infeasible for storage shall be charged to Account No. 822 of [part 201](/cfr/18/part201.md), Underground Storage Exploration and Development Expenses.

# §157.216. Abandonment.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** The certificate holder is authorized pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon gas supply facilities, and:
  - (1) A receipt or delivery point, or related supply or delivery lateral, provided the facility has not been used to provide:
    - (i) Interruptible transportation service during the one year period prior to the effective date of the proposed abandonment, or
    - (ii) Firm transportation service during the one year period prior to the effective date of the proposed abandonment, provided the point is no longer covered under a firm contract; or
  - (2)
    - (i) An auxiliary facility as described in [§ 2.55(a)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=a) of this chapter when the abandonment:
      - (A) Will not exceed the cost limit in [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d) for activities under the automatic provisions;
      - (B) Will have no adverse impact on customers' certificated services; and
      - (C) Cannot satisfy the right-of-way, facility site, and work space limitations for the pre-granted abandonment authority in [§ 2.55(a)(3)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=a-3);
    - (ii) A replacement facility that was or could have been constructed under [§ 2.55(b)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=b) of this chapter, provided the current cost to construct the facilities would not exceed the cost limit in [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d) for activities under the automatic provisions and the certificate holder obtains the written consent of each customer served using the facility during the past 12 months;
    - (iii) Any other facility that did or could now qualify for automatic authorization as described in [§ 157.203(b)](/cfr/18/157.203.md?p=b), provided the certificate holder obtains the written consent of each customer served using the facility during the past 12 months.
- (b) **Prior notice.** Subject to the notice requirements of [§ 157.205](/cfr/18/157.205.md), the certificate holder is authorized pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon:
  - (1) Any receipt or delivery point if all of the existing customers of the pipeline served through the receipt or delivery point consent in writing to the abandonment. When filing a request for authorization of the proposed abandonment under the notice procedures of [§ 157.205](/cfr/18/157.205.md), the certificate holder shall notify, in writing, the State public service commission having regulatory authority over retail service to the customers served through the delivery point.
  - (2)
    - (i) An auxiliary facility as described in [§ 2.55(a)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=a) of this chapter when the abandonment:
      - (A) Will not exceed the cost limit in [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d) for activities under the prior notice provisions;
      - (B) Will have no adverse impact on customers' certificated services; and
      - (C) Cannot satisfy the right-of-way, facility site, and work space limitations for the pre-granted abandonment authority in [§ 2.55(a)(3)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=a-3).
    - (ii) A replacement facility that was or could have been constructed under [§ 2.55(b)](/cfr/18/2.55.md?p=b) of this chapter, provided the current cost to construct the facilities would not exceed the cost limit in [§ 157.208(d)](/cfr/18/157.208.md?p=d) for activities under the prior notice provisions and the certificate holder obtains the written consent of each customer served using the facility during the past 12 months;
    - (iii) Any other facility that did or could now qualify for prior notice authorization as described in [§ 157.203(c)](/cfr/18/157.203.md?p=c), provided the certificate holder obtains the written consent of each customer served using the facility during the past 12 months.
- (c) **Contents of request.** In addition to the requirements of [§ 157.205(b)](/cfr/18/157.205.md?p=b), requests filed for activities described under [paragraph (b)](#b) shall describe:
  - (1) **The location, type, size, and length of the subject facilities.** For facilities not constructed or acquired under blanket certificate authority, an estimate of the current cost to replicate such facilities;
  - (2) The docket authorizing the construction and operation of the facilities to be abandoned;
  - (3) For each facility an oath statement that all of the customers served during the past year by the subject facilities have consented to the abandonment, or an explanation of why the customers' consent is not available;
  - (4) **A proposed accounting treatment of any facilities to be abandoned.**
  - (5) **For any abandonment resulting in earth disturbance, a USGS 7 1/2-minute-series (scale 1—** 24,000 or 1:25,000) topographic map (or map of equivalent or greater detail, as appropriate) showing the location of the proposed facilities and a concise analysis discussing the relevant issues outlined in [§ 380.12](/cfr/18/380.12.md) of this chapter.
- (d) **Reporting requirements.** The annual report filed by the certificate holder shall contain, for each abandonment authorized under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section:
  - (1) **A description of the facilities abandoned under this section.** For facilities not constructed or acquired under blanket certificate authority, an estimate of the current cost to replicate such facilities;
  - (2) The docket number(s) of the certificate(s) authorizing the construction and operation of the facilities to be abandoned;
  - (3) The accounting treatment of the facilities abandoned; and
  - (4) The date earth disturbance, if any, related to the abandonment began and the date the facilities were abandoned; and
  - (5) The date of the agreements obtained pursuant to [§ 157.206(b)(3)](/cfr/18/157.206.md?p=b-3), if earth disturbance was involved.

# §157.217. Changes in rate schedules.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** The certificate holder is authorized to permit an existing customer, at the customer's request, to change from [part 157](/cfr/18/part157.md) individually certificated transportation or storage service to [part 284](/cfr/18/part284.md) transportation or storage service, and to abandon the [part 157](/cfr/18/part157.md) service, if:
  - (1) The combined volumetric limitations on deliveries to the customer under both rate schedules are not increased, for either annual or peak day limitations;
  - (2) The conversion will reflect all the maximum rates and charges associated with the service;
  - (3) **The changes are consistent with the terms of the effective tariffs on file with the Commission.** The certificate holder is granted a limited waiver of its tariff requiring posting of available capacity.
  - (4) The certificate holder shall make a filing to reflect removal of the [part 157](/cfr/18/part157.md) rate schedule from its tariff. This tariff filing must be filed in the electronic format required by [§ 154.4](/cfr/18/154.4.md) of this chapter.
- (b) **Reporting requirements.** In the annual report for any year in which the certificate holder has permitted an existing customer to change from one rate schedule to another pursuant to this section, the certificate holder shall state:
  - (1) The name of the customer;
  - (2) The rate schedules and associated rates involved; and
  - (3) **The effective date of the change.**

# §157.218. Changes in customer name.

- (a) **Automatic authorization.** The effective certificates of the certificate holder may be amended to the extent necessary to reflect the change in the name of an existing customer, if the certificate holder has filed any necessary conforming changes in its Index of Customers, including the customer's old name.
- (b) **Reporting requirements.** For each customer name change authorized during a calendar year, the certificate holder shall include as a part of its annual report:
  - (1) The old and new names of the customer; and
  - (2) **A brief explanation of the reason for the name change.**
- (c) **Sunsetting provisions.** This section shall cease to have effect on December 5, 2026, unless the Commission determines that the cessation deadline should be extended to a date not more than 5 years in the future after offering the public an opportunity to provide input on the costs and benefits of this section and considering that input. The Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing its determination and revising or removing this section accordingly.