Northern Shipper Group Submits Joint Protest Against Northern Natural Gas Company's Rate Filing

The Northern Shipper Group, comprising Mieco LLC and Tenaska Marketing Ventures, has submitted a joint protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) against Northern Natural Gas Company's (Northern) rate filing. The protest argues that the proposed rate increases, particularly the 85% increase in Market Area TFX rates, are unjust and unreasonable, and would have a significant impact on their customers and the natural gas consumer. The group is seeking a suspension of the rate filing until January 1, 2026, subject to refund, and a formal evidentiary hearing to investigate all aspects of the proposed rates.

Key Takeaways:

• The Northern Shipper Group protests Northern's proposed rate filing, citing concerns over the substantial rate increases, particularly the 85% increase in Market Area TFX rates.
• The group argues that the proposed rates are unjust and unreasonable, and would have a significant impact on their customers and the natural gas consumer.
• The protest highlights the need for a formal evidentiary hearing to investigate all aspects of the proposed rates, including cost-of-service, throughput, billing determinants, cost classification, cost allocation, and rate design.
• The group seeks a suspension of the rate filing until January 1, 2026, subject to refund, to allow for a thorough review and analysis of the proposed rates.
• The protest specifically objects to Northern's proposal to eliminate its long-standing two-zone Field/Market Area rate structure and replace it with a "postage stamp" reservation rate, which would negatively impact shippers who only need Field or Market Area capacity.
• The group notes that this proposal was previously rejected by Northern's entire customer base in both the 2019 and 2022 Section 4 rate cases and was explicitly deemed withdrawn in the settlements of both cases.

Statistics:

• The protest cites an 85% increase in Market Area TFX rates as being particularly unjust and unreasonable.
• The proposed rate filing seeks to implement a "postage stamp" reservation rate, which would negatively impact shippers who only need Field or Market Area capacity.
• The protest notes that this proposal was previously rejected by Northern's entire customer base in both the 2019 and 2022 Section 4 rate cases.

Sources:

• Northern Shipper Group, "Joint Protest of Mieco LLC and Tenaska Marketing Ventures" (July 2025)
• Northern Natural Gas Company, "General NGA Section 4 Rate Filing & Tariff Changes" (July 1, 2025)
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 C.F.R. § 385.211 (2025)