Meeting – May
6, 2002
The Spring meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Contingency Planning Group was held at the Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, West Virginia. Chairman, Bill Christian, called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.
The following attended the meeting:
Chairman: Bill Christian (Columbia TCO)
Vice Chairman: P. Scott Murphy (Washington Gas)
Secretary: Gale Carovillano (Columbia TCO)
Others:
Jim Cosgrove (Washington Gas) Tammy Barnett (Dominion)
Andrea Mills (Washington Gas) Jody Derrickson (Dominion)
Terry Fitch (Williams – Transco) Drew Moncol (VA Power)
Ernie Brake (Atlanta Gas – VNG) Richard Khoury (Columbia TCO)
Barry Bond (Duke Energy) Chuck Jager (BGE)
Tim Clark (Columbia TCO) James Crumpler (BGE)
Eddie Edwards (Columbia TCO) Gary Forman (Columbia TCO)
Mike Ripley (Columbia MD/VA) David A. Smith (NCNG)
Tom Gibson (Columbia MD/VA) Wayne Krause (NCNG)
Todd Smith (Roanoke Gas) Bruce Ruhlin (Columbia TCO)
Michael Gagnet (Roanoke Gas)
Bill opened the meeting with a welcome to the new-comers; Ernie Brake, representing Atlanta Gas – VNG, and David Smith and Wayne Krause, representing NCNG – A Progress Energy Co.
Nearly all member companies reported experiencing below normal throughput and heating degree days for the season. Throughput for Washington Gas was approximately 14.7% below normal and degree days 12% below normal. Transco reported 12% fewer degree days and storage capacity was at 44% at season’s end. Columbia Gas of Maryland reported their throughput was 22% below normal and Columbia Gas of Virginia reported 19% below normal. Columbia Gas Transmission reported the season was the warmest on record for their operating system and throughput was 9% below normal.
Bill Christian gave a brief overview of the drill scenario which occurred on February 27th and asked each member to discuss their participation in the drill.
“A contractor installing a new water line hit line
SM-80 (26”) at TCO’s Lanham Compressor Station.
There was a fire and explosion, but no injuries.
WV DOT is on the scene and has ordered TCO to shut-in lines SM-86 (26”)
and SM-Loop (30”), due to potential damage from the initial explosion”.
Weather Conditions
Average Temperature
Norfolk
33°
F
Richmond
31°
F
Roanoke
23°
F
Washington DC
31°
F
TCO System-wide
24°
F
Roanoke Gas – Mike reported a surplus of 2,078 Dth. No interruption and LNG supply along with 5,000 Dth requested from Washington Gas.
BGE – Chuck reported that BGE had excess peak shaving available but was unable to get it into the system, thus resulting in a short-fall of 42,100 Dth.
Columbia Gas of Virginia – Used 100% peaking, interruptibles were off and received 40,000 Dth from Washington Gas.
Dominion CNG – Averaged a surplus of 8,040 Dth per hour.
Dominion Virginia Power – Has the ability to switch Chesterfield 7’s entire load to oil therefore allowing availability on TCO’s system to other members.
North Carolina Natural – David reported an excess of approximately 2,083 Dth per hour.
City of Richmond – Short-fall was approximately 1,700 Dth for the day. This includes 50,000 Dth received from Washington Gas.
Washington Gas – Surplus totaled 259,600 Dth. Assistance was provided to CGV in the amount of 40,000, Roanoke Gas in the amount of 5,000 and City of Richmond in the amount of 50,000.
Williams Pipeline – 75,000 Dth surplus was available. 50,000 Dth was provided to Washington Gas.
Transco – Terry Fitch reported Transco has scheduled pigging projects in Pennsylvania and the Cove Point LNG line in Maryland. Also some line replacement projects in Faquier and Prince William counties in Virginia.
Dominion – Jody reported numerous pigging projects throughout system operations.
NCNG – David Smith discussed various expansion projects for Progress Energy Co.
Columbia Gas Transmission – Gale gave an overview of various Class 3 location replacements, recoating and hydro-testing jobs throughout their system.
Gary Forman, Chief Security Officer, NiSource Pipeline Group, presented a brief review of the Five-step Security Process now undergoing implementation into the natural gas industry, i.e. Preparedness, Prevention, Protection, Response and Recovery.
Note: Federal Security groups are looking at regional contingency groups, such as ours, to use as models for developing procedures in the event of an incident.
Drew Moncol discussed challenges facing power generation in the gas industry.
Dominion, Duke Energy, NCNG and Washington Gas all reported identifying several defined tasks for which their controllers must qualify. Columbia Gas Transmission and Columbia Gulf have identified one task which they feel covers controllers’ responsibilities based on the criteria set forth by DOT. Member companies are developing various testing methods to accomplish the goal of having all controllers qualified by October 28, 2002. Of particular interest are the written exams lasting in the range from 2 hours to 8 hours along with simulation exams of particular tasks.
Inclusion of new LDC’s (status report)
Bill Christian discussed the invitation extended to various LDC’s within the Mid-Atlantic region. Pennsylvania is in the process of deciding whether to form their own contingency group for companies operating within the State of Pa. Piedmont Natural Gas and the Public Service of North Carolina showed no interest in joining our group at this time.
Andrea Mills of Washington Gas reported on the completion of their first year of Firm Daily Balancing. They implemented storage changes on April 1, 2002 and are looking at going to daily balancing on the Interruptible Program effective November 1, 2002. Working on tariff changes for all three jurisdictions now. Also looking to go to 100% capacity assignment for the Firm program on November 1, 2002.
Some items added to the site since our Fall meeting were the Complete Plan Document and the minutes of the October 25th meeting. Issues brought up during this meeting were concerns of security for the web site and the addition of placing the revised date to items that are updated on the site.
Washington Gas has volunteered to host the Fall meeting. Date and place are yet to be determined. Members will be notified and the web site will be updated when final arrangements are complete.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
_____________________________
William J. Christian, Chairman
_____________________________
P. Scott Murphy, Vice Chairman
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Gale Carovillano, Secretary