Gas Firm Seeks Pipeline Expansion: El Paso...

Gas Firm Seeks Pipeline Expansion: El Paso Natural Gas Co. said it has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand its interstate pipeline system by up to 600 million cubic feet a day at a cost of $201 million. The company said the expansion is needed to meet present and future natural gas needs in its principal market area of California. It said the California Public Utilities Commission is looking into the need for new interstate pipeline capacity within the state and also the need for increased service levels to existing gas users. The company said the incremental throughput resulting from the proposed system expansion will reduce the average cost of transportation for all present and future customers.