FERC ISSUES NOTICE OF REQUEST UNDER BLANKET AUTHORIZATION TO WILLISTON BASIN INTERSTATE PIPELINE

WASHINGTON, May 26 -- The U.

S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following notice:

Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company

Docket No. CP11-484-000

Take notice that on May 18, 2011, Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company (Williston Basin) filed a prior notice request for authorization, in accordance with 18 CFR sections 157.213(b) and 157.216(b) of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Williston Basin's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-487-000, et al., for the replacement, operation and abandonment of natural gas storage facilities in Fallon County, Montana. Specifically, Williston Basin proposes to replace three natural gas storage wells and abandon one additional well. Williston Basin states that the estimated cost to construct the facilities is approximately $928,000, all as more fully set forth in the application, which is open to the public for inspection. The filing may also be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the "eLibrary" link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (866) 208-3676 or TTY, (202) 502-8659.

Any questions regarding this prior notice should be directed to Keith A. Tiggelaar, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company, 1250 West Century Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503, or telephone (701) 530-1560, or by e-mail keith.tiggelaar@wbip.com.

Any person may, within 60 days after the issuance of the instant notice by the Commission, file pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Procedural Rules (18 CFR 385.214) a motion to intervene or notice of intervention. Any person filing to intervene or the Commission's staff may, pursuant to section 157.205 of the Commission's Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.205) file a protest to the request. If no protest is filed within the time allowed therefore, the proposed activity shall be deemed to be authorized effective the day after the time allowed for protest. If a protest is filed and not withdrawn within 30 days after the time allowed for filing a protest, the instant request shall be treated as an application for authorization pursuant to section 7 of the NGA.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenter's will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with he Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenter's will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentary, will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and ill not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests, and interventions via the internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site (www.ferc.gov) under the "e-Filing" link. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and seven copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

*This document has footnotes and they may be viewed at:

http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/opennat.asp?fileID=12667078 For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Success Hasn't Spoiled Castillo

Frank Castillo hopes the beginning of this season resembles theend of the last one.

And not just because Castillo flirted with a no-hitter Sept. 25against the St. Louis Cardinals, but because the Cubs flirted withthe National League wild-card berth.

"With the way we ended last year, it built our confidence up,"the right-hander said of the final series against Houston. "It madeyou realize that no matter what happens and how you start, if youkeep playing hard, you can be there at the end."Today is Castillo's turn to pick up where things left off asthe Cubs complete a two-game series with the San Diego Padres (1:20p.m., Ch. 9, 720-AM). The 1995 season finished as the best ofCastillo's five major-league seasons: an 11-10 record and a 3.21 ERA,eighth in the NL.The most memorable victory was his last, a dramatic performancethat fell one out short of a no-hitter when Bernard Gilkey tripled tothe opposite field. Castillo settled for a one-hit, 7-0 victory anda career-high 13 strikeouts."It was the best season of my career, and the way it ended madeyou look forward to this year even more," said Castillo, who turned27 on Monday.Much of the Cubs' hopes this year are tied again to Castillo, aproduct of the farm system who has worn the "star potential" labelsince being drafted in the sixth round in June, 1987."I think his breakthrough year was last year," pitching coachFerguson Jenkins said. "I think that was the platform for him lastyear, and now he has something to build on. And he's very capable ofbuilding on it. He has four very good pitches, and he's a goodball-and-strike pitcher. We're looking for him to be a horse for us."I think he's capable of getting 15 to 18 wins. With some luck,he would have had 15 last year. We didn't score a lot of runs forhim."Especially in Wrigley Field.Castillo had a sparkling 2.78 ERA in 14 starts at home butfinished just 5-6. Among the losses: 2-1 to Atlanta, 3-1 to St.Louis and 3-2 to San Diego.But the victories included his first career shutouts, Sept. 4against Colorado and the one-hitter against St. Louis. He struck outa career-high 10 on June 15 against San Francisco, matched it July 12at Montreal and surpassed it in the one-hitter.What ended as Castillo's most successful season started with aspring training full of questions."It was a deal where I had to win the fifth job," he said, "kindof a make-or-break year for me."Things were more calm this year. We (he and wife Tracy) movedinto a house we built, and there was more peace of mind knowing thatthings were better with the (labor situation) and that there would bea spring training.""But I decided to approach this spring the same way I did lastyear, as if I had to win a job. I only had one start againstColorado that was shaky."Castillo righted that outing in his last spring start March 29,working six innings against Milwaukee and allowing one earned run onfive hits.NOTE: The Cubs' game April 25 in San Diego will start at 4:05p.m., not 3:05 as originally listed.

Technology threatens bank teller jobs

It wasn't so long ago that if someone wanted to withdraw moneyfrom a bank account or transfer funds, there was but one option - goto the bank and stand in line to see a teller.

Consumer banking options widened in the 1970s when ATMs made theirdebut. After ATMs came telephone banking, and then the Internet,which allowed consumers to perform almost every account transferprocedure without ever talking to a person.

The busy bank lobby became a quieter place, and long lines fortellers became a fading memory.

And while some people still prefer to bank in person, the rise inthe number of people choosing not to trek into the bank lobby hasresulted in the hiring of fewer tellers. Add wireless banking, doneover the Internet through cell phones, and tellers might soon becomean endangered species.

There are no hard numbers that detail the demise of bank tellers,and no one has made an effort to conduct a survey, but somestatistics do point to a decline in the profession.

Retail banking jobs, most of which are teller or phone customerservice positions, represent about 25 percent of all banking jobs.Less than 15 years ago, retail banking jobs represented nearly halfthe banking world's work force.

In 1993, banks that had assets of at least $300 million averaged35 employees, and 15.5 of those positions were tellers. Banks withassets between $300 million and $900 million had an average of 229employees, and 102 were teller positions. In 2006, retail bankingpositions were estimated to account for only one of every fourbanking jobs, according to the American Bankers Association.

While it's clear that the number of tellers has been decreasing,most bankers agree that the position will never completely fade away,and many say that branch banking might be responsible for keepingtellers in the lobbies.

Prior to 1987, banks in Colorado were limited by law to one mainlocation and one detached location within 3,000 feet of the bank, soconsumers and business owners were forced to visit their bank'sphysical location for banking matters.

"That's why when you go into one of these big banks downtown, yousee these gargantuan teller stations with 10 or 12 windows and onlythree tellers working. They were designed for a different time whenmore people came into the bank," said Colorado Bankers AssociationPresident Don Childears.

While technology has lessened the need for tellers, Childears saidbranch banking has made hiring tellers a necessity because largebanks need to staff their multiple suburban branches.

Every bank has to have some tellers, so more branches means moretellers.

The ABA says that 76.7 percent of banks planned to add branchesthis year, said ABA spokeswoman Susan Besaw.

"I would conclude that as long as they're building banks they'regoing to be hiring tellers," Besaw said.

Paul Perea, downtown branch president of U.S. Bank, estimates thatthe number of tellers at his bank has decreased between 10 percentand 15 percent in the last couple of decades. However, Steve Shaffer,retail banking president for Chase in Colorado, said that tellerhiring has remained steady because of staffing needs at multiplebranches.

Still, the advent of banking technology has changed bankingemployment needs.

"There's no doubt that ATMs and the Internet have changed bankingforever," Childears said. "And, it's probably going to keepchanging."

The newest banking technology could make its debut as early asnext year.

Software and wireless phone companies are creating networks thatwill allow consumers to make wireless fund transfers using cellphones.

Cell phone banking is already in use in Europe and othercountries.

Cingular Wireless, is working with software company FirethornHoldings to develop technology that will allow consumers pay bills,check balances and transfer funds using their cell phones.

"What our product basically does is create a common languagebetween bank and cell phone networks, and it streamlines the cellphone banking process for consumers," said Firethorn founder and CEOTripp Rackley. "And it creates a much more secure connection thansomeone might have with their cell phone today."

For instance, Rackley said that if consumers were to use theircell phones to type in the word "password" it would take 37keystrokes. The Firethorn applicant would require eight.

Rackley, who also founded the company that created the firstapplication that allowed Internet banking, is in the process ofpitching his product to the nation's largest banks.

But, some foresee problems with cell phone banking.

The ABA's Besaw said one problem is that there is no regulation ofthe electronic transfer fund business, and that if procedures aren'tfollowed correctly or network errors cause transfers to fail, bankscould be left holding the bill.

So, despite the unending upgrades in technology, it's unlikelythat teller jobs will ever vanish, Besaw said.

"Because, let's face it, technology has flaws, and people are theones that fix those flaws," she said.

Social networking grows up through crises

The conflict in Libya is the latest of a series of regionalevents that proved to have far-reaching implications. In recentmonths, natural disasters, civil unrest, and reports of human rightsviolations unfolded around the world as the global community watchedand reacted. Although the results and impact of each of these worldevents are still being quantified, one thing is clear: socialnetworking has definitely grown up.

For many years, social networking was known as the onlineplayground for the youth. But the child of innovation and society,and the youngest of her siblings - computers, the Internet, andmobile technologies - social networking has finally matured. She wasborn in 1997 with the advent of AOL Instant Messaging, which allowedindividuals to communicate in real-time or "chat" via the World WideWeb. The dot-com bubble burst of 2000 delayed her development, butby 2002, she had learned to walk, run and socialize in cyberspacethrough a website called Friendster, which provided a place forusers to connect online with real-life acquaintances. By 2003 herpopularity surged through the online hangout called MySpace, wherehundreds of millions of young people met, "friended" each other, andbecame virtual groupies of their favorite bands and celebrities.

During the 2004 election season, social networking caught the eyeof the occasional politician who proved only interested in her forher access to young voters and for how contemporary she made themseem. It was through these failed relationships and her rapid growthbeyond the exclusive group of techno-savvy teens and young adultsthat social networking began her journey of self-awareness andacknowledgement of her potential.

First, she embraced the concept of associating with people beyondher immediate social circle and expanded her connections throughwebsites such as LinkedIn, a site created to groom and developprofessional contacts. Next, she articulated her positions throughWeb logs or "blogs," written commentaries that ranged from causalmusings to guttural calls to action.

By 2006, she was also engaging in personal expression through theproduction of original videos that were shared on YouTube, a websitefor uploading user-generated content that can become "viral" byreaching millions of viewers around the world in a matter of days.

The next time the politicians came looking for her assistanceduring the 2008 elections, social networking had her demands: thecollective voices of those who spoke through her would be heard,acknowledged and respected. The political figures who honored herrequirements were rewarded with millions of galvanized young, first-time voters willing to harness their social networking connectionsto motivate, mobilize and organize others.

But just as self-actualization has a way of both shaping andrevealing character, crisis can also convert one's potential intopurpose. In January 2010, Haiti experienced a catastrophicearthquake that leveled the frail infrastructure of the country.Over the coming weeks, staggering numbers of death, injury andhomelessness were reported.

Haiti relief interest groups were created and joined by millionson popular social networks including Facebook, a successor toMySpace with double the number of users.

Just months ago, a revolution swept through the Middle East. Thecampaign of civil resistance fueled by political, economic, andhuman rights issues inspired young people in Tunisia, Egypt andother Arab nations. The Egyptian government attempted to imposeInternet censorship to marginalize communication to the world. Butprotesters, armed with their global networks, used mobiletechnologies to raise awareness for the grassroots movement onFacebook, post videos of the protests and sporadic military clashesto YouTube, and keep supporters updated with announcements onTwitter, a website that allows users to send short, publicly visiblemessages called "tweets."

More recently, an earthquake measuring 8.9 in magnitude shiftedthe ocean's floor off the coast of Honshu and triggered an aquaticforce that leveled entire cities, claimed thousands of lives anddisplaced countless survivors. News of Japan's tsunami arrivedaround the world even as the events were still unfolding. Theearliest news sources received updates from officials andinterviewed survivors using Skype, a website that allows users tovideo chat. Relatives searched for each other through sites such asMixi, the largest social networking website in Japan.

Clearly, social networking has made her mark on society. Nolonger can she be ignored or dismissed as a novelty for the youth.What we have learned from the recent tragedies is that the movementsthat were facilitated and the collective voices that were amplifiedwith the help of social media have validated her as a viable andimportant form of communication.

Teshia Young Roby, Ph.D., is founder of the OPUS Collective andan assistant professor in the College of Education and IntegrativeStudies at Cal Poly Pomona.

WNY TO GET NEW AREA CODE DESPITE UNUSED 716 NUMBERS

The 716 region needs one or even two new area codes to deal witha phone number shortage, despite the fact that nearly half ofavailable numbers are unused, according to a report by statetelephone regulators.

Only 4.5 million of 8 million available telephone numbers are inuse in 716, the state Public Service Commission report said.

The report recommends that the state decide how to adopt a newarea code by next spring to avoid a projected shortfall.

Creating a new area code would inconvenience callers andpotentially hurt businesses forced to reprint stationary, signs andWorld Wide Web pages.

But one critic said the agency is overlooking a better option:Making use of the 3.5 million unused numbers.

The PSC has received federal permission to try new methods thatwill assign numbers more efficiently, said Thomas Tarapacki,Buffalo's Director of Telecommunications.

However, "They don't really have an idea of how effective it (themethods) will be," he said.

Phone numbers are assigned to companies in blocks of 10,000. Newtelecommunications companies are springing up and seeking numbersfor their customers, but they frequently use less than all 10,000 ina block, Tarapacki said, causing the shortfall.

The PSC is looking into ways of reducing the wasted numbers, butthe methods won't bear fruit in time to save 716 from running out,the PSC report said.

Among the ideas are assigning smaller blocks of 1,000 numbers andadopting financial incentives for phone companies to use numbersefficiently.

Some businesses are already suffering from the number shortage.

Prime Communications Corp., an Amherst-based Internet on-rampcompany, hasn't been able to enter new areas since March because ofa lack of numbers, vice president Kirk Miller said.

"I could probbly use 500 to 1,000 numbers -- it's costing usmoney," he said. Customers use the numbers to connect into theInternet.

The release of the report begins a period of public comment, PSCspokesman Ed Collins said. The comment period, unscheduled butexpected to last several months, will include public hearings in theBuffalo area and other parts of the 716 region, he said.

The report by PSC staff outlines what it calls the three bestoptions for a new area code:

Overlaying a new prefix in the same area served by 716, thewestern end of the state. New customers would get numbers with thenew area code, leaving existing phones in 716. However, dialing alocal call would take 10 digits instead of seven under current FCCrules.

Splitting the region east-to-west. Metropolitan Buffalo-NiagaraFalls would comprise the western portion, together with westernCattaraugus County and all of Chautauqua County. Everything east ofthe line would be in another zone, including Rochester. Norecommendation was made on which of the areas would get the newprefix.

Splitting the region into three areas: Erie and Niagara counties;greater Rochester, and the Southern Tier.

A three-way split would provide the longest-lasting solution, thePSC report said. It would solve the dearth of digits until 2011 forBuffalo and Rochester, compared with 2008 for an east-west split.The Southern Tier wouldn't face another shortage until 2035.

But a geographic split would mean at least 1.2 million residents,plus an undetermined number of businesses, would have to adopt a newarea code, the report said.

In addition, thousands of wireless phone customers would need toget their phones reprogrammed, with no guarantee the whole processwon't have to be repeated in future years as the digit draincontinues.

An overlay would let existing customers keep their numbers, butwould have its own disadvantages, the report said. It wouldeliminate the longtime identification of Western New York with the716 code and force callers to dial 10 digits for local calls,although that requirement is being examined by federal regulators.

Better number assignment methods weren't among the report'srecommendations, but that doesn't mean the PSC can't consider theoption, Collins said.

Buffalo has asked the PSC to examine more efficient numberassignments, Tarapacki said. He didn't know how much time thatsolution, if adopted, might buy the 716 area code.

Miller of Prime Communications agreed that the number assignmentsystem is faulty. However, correcting the system won't put off theneed for a new code forever. Homes and businesses are rapidlyputting in extra lines to accommodate Internet use.

"I don't care how it's done; just do it," he said. Comments inwriting can be addressed to Acting Secretary to the Commission,Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, N.Y.,12223-1350. Letters should cite the PSC case number, 99-C-0800, ornote that the comment concerns the 716 area code.

Wgt: Olympic weightlifting results

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2004
Wgt: Olympic weightlifting results

ATHENS, Aug 21 Reuters - Olympic weightlifting results



Men's 85kg final

1. George Asanidze (GEO) (snatch 177.5, clean/jerk

205.0) total 382.5

2. Andrei Rybakou (BLR) (180.0, 200.0) 380.0

3. Pyrros Dimas (GRE) (175.0, 202.5) 377.5

4. Georgios Markoulas (GRE) (167.5, 205.0) 372.5

5. Yuan Aijun (CHN) (167.5, 205.0) 372.5

6. Aliaksandr Anishchanka (BLR) (170.0, 200.0) 370.0

7. Tigran Martirosyan (ARM) (167.5, 200.0) 367.5

8. Song Jong-shik (KOR) (160.0, 200.0) 360.0

9. Hector Fabio Ballesteros (COL) (157.5, 197.5) 355.0

10. Oscar Chaplin III (USA) (160.0, 190.0) 350.0

11. Ulanbek Moldodosov (KGZ) (150.0, 192.5) 342.5

12. Richard Scheer (SEY) (140.0, 165.0) 305.0

13. Meameaa Thomas (Kiribati) (130.0, 162.5) 292.5

14. Julian Mc Watt (GUY) (125.0, 147.5) 272.5

Valeriu Calancea (ROM) (NM)

David Matam (FRA) (NM)

Zaur Takhushev (RUS) (NM)

Sergo Chakhoyan (AUS) (NM)

Hamza Abughalia (LBA) (NM)

Izzet Ince (TUR) (NM)

Chaehoi Fatihou (COM) (NM)



REUTERS rca

KEYWORD: OLYR WGT RESULT 2

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: John Butler Trio announce national tour

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2004
Fed: John Butler Trio announce national tour

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Australian independent group The John Butler Trio will embark
on a national tour next month.

The tour kicks off in Broome on May 13 and will showcase the band's chart-topping third
album - Sunrise Over Sea.

The tour will take in dates in Darwin, Alice Springs, Bendigo, Albury, Wollongong,
Toowoomba, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Adelaide and will end in Mackay
on July 18.

The band will donate $1 from every ticket sold to the Refugee Action Coalition.

Missy Higgins will be the national support from June 23 to July 18 with other supporters
yet to be announced for earlier shows.

Tickets go on sale on April 23.

AAP jwm/jv/de

KEYWORD: BUTLER

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.