The Pipeline Business

Fortnightly Magazine - September 15 1995
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Stephen P. Reynolds

President & CEO

Pacific Gas Transmission Co.

Standardization has been an issue in every industry since the beginning of the Machine Age. As products continue to evolve, we need something like GISB to help find a prudent and appropriate level of standardization. We should take care, however, not to let standardization stifle product development or business opportunities.

Something like GISB creates the forum for industry debate on what needs to be done. What we don't need is a series of edicts telling the industry what it has to do.

Beverly A. Wharton

President, Gas Division

MidAmerican Energy Co.

We agree with the FERC that a standardization of EBBs is necessary, but feel that progress so far has been slow and unfocused. The pipelines to date have been pursuing individual paths, which has caused confusion, incompatibility, and additional administrative effort for interested parties. The problem appears to be resolved to some extent by commercial services that offer a one-stop call for access to various pipeline EBBs. Standardized EDI is still needed to link existing pipeline bulletin boards for efficient and effective operation of the natural gas industry. The FERC needs to step up its efforts to get GISB and other industry players to advance in this area quickly.

Bernard J. Kennedy

Chairman, President, & CEO

National Fuel Gas Co.

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