Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC: Fourth Status Report on Settlement Negotiations

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a fourth procedural report in the ongoing settlement negotiations between Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) and other parties. The report, dated June 18, 2025, provides an update on the status of settlement discussions, which have been ongoing since November 2024. According to the report, twelve formal settlement conferences have been held, and participants continue to exchange information and engage in good faith discussions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The settlement negotiations, which began on November 6, 2024, have resulted in twelve formal settlement conferences being held to date.
  • The participants have exchanged information and offers, and have engaged in productive discussions, all in accordance with the Commission's settlement processes.
  • The settlement process is expected to continue, with the recommendation of the settlement judge, Patricia M. French, to proceed with further negotiations.
  • The Commission has accepted and suspended certain tariff records, pending the outcome of hearing procedures, and has accepted other tariff records to be effective on November 1, 2024, subject to hearing procedures.
  • The designation order requires the settlement judge to file status reports on the settlement discussions every sixty days, with the thirteenth status report due on July 29, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 12 formal settlement conferences have been held to date.
  • The settlement negotiations have been ongoing for over 6 months.
  • 3 status reports have been issued by the settlement judge, with the fourth report providing an update on the status of settlement discussions.

Sources:

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC Docket No. RP24-1103-001 FOURTH STATUS REPORT OF SETTLEMENT JUDGE (Issued June 18, 2025)
  • 15 U.S.C. § 717c.
  • 18 C.F.R. §§ 154.301 to .315 (2024).
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, 189 FERC P 61,090, at P 1 (2024) (Hearing Order).
  • Hearing Order, 189 FERC P 61,090, at P 1.
  • Order of Chief Judge Designating Settlement Judge (Nov. 6, 2024) (designation order).