Pacific Gas and Electric Company today announced an open season for natural gas transmission capacity, inviting suppliers and large commercial and industrial users to submit requests for firm intrastate transmission capacity.

Demand for natural gas in California continues to grow and interstate pipeline companies are planning expansions that will increase flows to California from gas producing regions in Canada and the southwestern United States. To meet the increased demand, Pacific Gas and Electric Company's California Gas Transmission will offer more than 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of backbone capacity becoming available on January 1, 2003. Capacity will be offered on the Redwood, Baja and Silverado paths.

The open season will include 200 million cubic feet per day of capacity from an anticipated expansion of the Redwood path from Malin, Oregon. The expansion is expected to be in service by January 1, 2003. If requests for service exceed 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, the company will explore additional expansions. Pacific Gas and Electric Company is fully committed to meeting the existing and expanding needs of its customers.

The open season will close July 31, 2001. Complete open season packages will be available June 12, 2001. Stay tuned to Pipe Ranger for more open season news and information.