18 CFR Part 343

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ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
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Title 18 → Chapter I → Subchapter P → Part 343
Title 18: Conservation of Power and Water Resources
PART 343—PROCEDURAL RULES APPLICABLE TO OIL PIPELINE
PROCEEDINGS
Contents
§343.0 Applicability.
§343.1 Definitions.
§343.2 Requirements for filing interventions, protests and complaints.
§343.3 Filing of protests and responses.
§343.4 Procedure on complaints.
§343.5 Required negotiations.
AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 571-583; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 49 U.S.C. 60502; 49 App. U.S.C. 1-85.

SOURCE: Order 561, 58 FR 58780, Nov. 4, 1993, unless otherwise noted.

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§343.0 Applicability.
(a) General rule. The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure in part
385 of this chapter will govern procedural matters in oil pipeline proceedings under
part 342 of this chapter and under the Interstate Commerce Act, except to the extent
specified in this part.
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§343.1 Definitions.
For purposes of this part, the following definitions apply:
(a) Complaint means a filing challenging an existing rate or practice under
section 13(1) of the Interstate Commerce Act.
(b) Protest means a filing, under section 15(7) of the Interstate Commerce Act,
challenging a tariff publication.

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[Order 561, 58 FR 58780, Nov. 4, 1993, as amended by Order 578, 60 FR 19505, Apr. 19,
1995]

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§343.2 Requirements for filing interventions, protests and complaints.
(a) Interventions. Section 385.214 of this chapter applies to oil pipeline
proceedings.
(b) Standing to file protest. Only persons with a substantial economic interest in
the tariff filing may file a protest to a tariff filing pursuant to the Interstate Commerce
Act. Along with the protest, a verified statement that the protestor has a substantial
economic interest in the tariff filing in question must be filed.
(c) Other requirements for filing protests or complaints—(1) Rates established
under §342.3 of this chapter. A protest or complaint filed against a rate proposed or
established pursuant to §342.3 of this chapter must allege reasonable grounds for
asserting that the rate violates the applicable ceiling level, or that the rate increase is
so substantially in excess of the actual cost increases incurred by the carrier that the
rate is unjust and unreasonable, or that the rate decrease is so substantially less
than the actual cost decrease incurred by the carrier that the rate is unjust and
unreasonable. In addition to meeting the requirements of the section, a complaint
must also comply with all the requirements of §385.206, except §385.206(b)(1) and
(2).
(2) Rates established under §342.4(c) of this chapter. A protest or complaint
filed against a rate proposed or established under §342.4(c) of this chapter must
allege reasonable grounds for asserting that the rate is so substantially in excess of
the actual cost increases incurred by the carrier that the rate is unjust and
unreasonable. In addition to meeting the requirements of the section, a complaint
must also comply with all the requirements of §385.206, except §385.206(b)(1) and
(2).
(3) Non-rate matters. A protest or complaint filed against a carrier's operations
or practices, other than rates, must allege reasonable grounds for asserting that the
operations or practices violate a provision of the Interstate Commerce Act, or of the
Commission's regulations. In addition to meeting the requirements of this section, a
complaint must also comply with the requirements of §385.206.
(4) A protest or complaint that does not meet the requirements of paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), or (c)(3) of this section, whichever is applicable, will be dismissed.
[Order 561, 58 FR 58780, Nov. 4, 1993, as amended by Order 602, 64 FR 17097, Apr. 8,
1999; Order 606, 64 FR 44405, Aug. 16, 1999]

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§343.3 Filing of protests and responses.
(a) Protests. Any protest pursuant to section 15(7) of the Interstate Commerce
Act must be filed not later than 15 days after the filing of a tariff publication. If the
carrier submits a separate letter with the filing, providing a telefax number and
contact person, and requesting all protests to be telefaxed to the carrier by a
protestant, any protest must be so telefaxed to the pipeline at the time the protest is
filed with the Commission. Only persons with a substantial economic interest in the
tariff filing may file a protest to a tariff filing pursuant to the Interstate Commerce Act.
Along with the protest, the protestant must file a verified statement which must
contain a reasonably detailed description of the nature and substance of the
protestant's substantial economic interest in the tariff filing.
(b) Responses. The carrier may file a response to a protest no later than 5 days
from the filing of the protest.
(c) Commission action. Commission action, including any hearings or other
proceedings, on a protest will be limited to the issues raised in such protest. If a
filing is protested, before the effective date of the tariff publication or within 30 days
of the tariff filing, whichever is later, the Commission will determine whether to
suspend the tariff and initiate a formal investigation.
(d) Termination of investigation. Withdrawal of the protest, or protests, that
caused the initiation of an investigation automatically terminates the investigation.
[Order 561, 58 FR 58780, Nov. 4, 1993, as amended by Order 561-A, 59 FR 40256, Aug.
8, 1994]

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§343.4 Procedure on complaints.
(a) Responses. The carrier must file an answer to a complaint filed pursuant to
section 13(1) of the Interstate Commerce Act within 20 days after the filing of the
complaint in accordance with Rule 206.
(b) Commission action. Commission action, including any hearings or other
proceedings, on a complaint will be limited to the issues raised in the complaint.
[Order 561, 58 FR 58780, Nov. 4, 1993, as amended by Order 602, 64 FR 17097, Apr. 8,
1999]

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§343.5 Required negotiations.

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The Commission or other decisional authority may require parties to enter into
good faith negotiations to settle oil pipeline rate matters. The Commission will refer
all protested rate filings to a settlement judge pursuant to §385.603 of this chapter
for recommended resolution. Failure to participate in such negotiations in good faith
is a ground for decision against the party so failing to participate on any issue that is
the subject of negotiation by other parties.
[Order 578, 60 FR 19505, Apr. 19, 1995]

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