Bidding by Affiliates in Open Seasons for Pipeline Capacity

In this Final Rule, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission revises its regulations governing interstate natural gas pipelines to prohibit multiple affiliates of the same entity from bidding in an open season for pipeline capacity in which the pipeline may allocate capacity on a pro rata basis, unless each affiliate has an independent business reason for submitting a bid. The Commission does not find it necessary to adopt its proposal in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that if more than one affiliate of the same entity participates in such an open season, then none of those affiliates may release any capacity obtained in that open season pursuant to a pro rata allocation to any affiliate, or otherwise allow any affiliate to obtain the use of the allowed capacity.