Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC Requests Suspension of Procedural Schedule and Waiver of Answer Period in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceeding

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceeding, Docket No. RP24-1103-000, has reached a critical juncture as Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has submitted a motion to suspend the procedural schedule and waive the answer period. The motion, dated July 1, 2025, was filed on behalf of Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Commission Trial Staff, and other active participants in the proceeding. According to the motion, a settlement in principle has been reached to resolve all remaining matters set for hearing in the proceeding, and the parties are now working to finalize the Stipulation and Agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has submitted a motion to suspend the procedural schedule and waive the answer period in FERC proceeding Docket No. RP24-1103-000.
  • A settlement in principle has been reached to resolve all remaining matters set for hearing in the proceeding.
  • The settlement in principle addresses six key issues, including the establishment of rates for three defined periods, stated depreciation and negative salvage rates, and the permanent rolled-in rate treatment for the Virginia Electrification Project and the WB Xpress Project.
  • The suspension of the procedural schedule is warranted due to the substantial time and resources required to draft, review, and file the Offer of Settlement.
  • The waiver of the answer period will facilitate a timely order suspending the procedural schedule and allow the active participants to focus on the preparation of settlement documents.
  • The parties anticipate filing the Stipulation and Agreement and the Offer of Settlement with the Presiding Judge by August 22, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 12 formal settlement conferences were held by Judge French between October 2024 and June 2025.
  • 4 status reports were issued by Judge French to recommend continued settlement procedures.
  • 6 key issues are to be addressed in the settlement in principle, including rates, depreciation, and salvage rates, and the permanent rolled-in rate treatment for the Virginia Electrification Project and the WB Xpress Project.
  • The Offer of Settlement will include a 3-year moratorium and a required Section 4 rate filing in 6 years.
  • The suspension of the procedural schedule has been requested to conserve the resources of the parties and the Commission.

Sources:

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC ) Docket No. RP24-1103-000 UNOPPOSED MOTION TO SUSPEND PROCEDURAL SCHEDULE AND WAIVE ANSWER PERIOD OF COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC
  • 15 U.S.C. § 717c.
  • 18 C.F.R. pt. 154 (2024).
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, 189 FERC P 61,090 (2024).
  • Order of Chief Judge Designating Presiding Administrative Law Judge and Establishing Track III Schedule, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Docket No. RP24-1103-000 (Nov. 6, 2024).
  • Order Scheduling First Prehearing Conference, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Docket No. RP24-1103-000 (Nov. 21, 2024).
  • Order of Chief Judge Granting Track III Extension and Adopting Procedural Schedule, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Docket No. RP24-1103-000 (Dec. 26, 2024).