-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Qcno4qQuxPtd/N0zIY8A8DPaC3Ipgd9ioThNrRNpI2CoEnoqPZHeb6pSrnTfEPnh qinhRH7dRZqXqOm4SeR8cQ== /in/edgar/work/0001024401-00-000039/0001024401-00-000039.txt : 20001004 0001024401-00-000039.hdr.sgml : 20001004 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001024401-00-000039 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20000630 ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 20001003 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHERN BORDER PARTNERS LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000909281 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [4922 ] IRS NUMBER: 931120873 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12202 FILM NUMBER: 734211 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1400 SMITH ST STREET 2: C/O ENRON BLDG CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77002 BUSINESS PHONE: 7138536161 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1400 SMITH ST STREET 2: ENRON BUILDING RM 4524 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77002 8-K 1 0001.txt UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT: September 26, 2000 (Date of the earliest event reported) Commission File Number 1-12202 NORTHERN BORDER PARTNERS, L.P. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 93-1120873 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification incorporation or organization) Number) Enron Building 1400 Smith Street Houston, Texas 77002 (Address of principal executive (Zip code) offices) (713) 853-6161 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 1 of 3 NORTHERN BORDER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES ITEM 5. Other Events On September 26, 2000, Northern Border Pipeline filed a stipulation and agreement that documents the settlement of its pending rate case. The settlement was reached between Northern Border Pipeline, the majority of its customers and the FERC staff and will become effective if and when approved by the FERC. We anticipate the FERC will act on the settlement in the first quarter of 2001. Among the key provisions of the proposed settlement is the conversion of Northern Border Pipeline's form of tariff from cost of service to stated rates based on a straight- fixed variable rate design. Under the existing cost of service tariff, firm transportation shippers contract to pay for a proportionate share of the pipeline's cost of service. If the proposed settlement is approved, shippers will pay stated transportation rates. Under the straight fixed- variable rate design, approximately 98% of the payments are attributable to demand charges, based upon contracted capacity, and 2% to commodity charges based on the volumes of gas actually transported on the system. On a per unit basis, the rates under the new tariff are approximately equal to the previous level. As of June 30, 2000, Northern Border Pipeline had a reserve for rate refunds of $16.1 million, which substantially reflects the terms of the settlement. In the proposed settlement, Northern Border Pipeline, through November 1, 2003, must credit to its firm customers half of all revenues received from interruptible transportation services and firm backhaul transportation services, and thereafter it will be permitted to retain all of such revenues. The proposed settlement provides for an annual depreciation rate on transmission plant in service of 2.25% and resolves outstanding issues relating to The Chicago Project, with all of the construction cost of The Chicago Project remaining in its rate base. Under the proposed settlement, Northern Border Pipeline will continue to have "rolled-in rates" resulting in uniform, system-wide mileage based rates. The proposed settlement provides that neither Northern Border Pipeline nor its existing customers can seek rate changes until November 1, 2005, at which time Northern Border Pipeline must file a new rate case. Northern Border Pipeline will not be permitted to increase rates if its costs increase, nor will it be required to reduce rates based on cost savings. Its earnings and cashflow will depend on its future costs, contracted capacity, the volumes of gas transported and its ability to recontract capacity at acceptable rates. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NORTHERN BORDER PARTNERS, L.P. (A Delaware Limited Partnership) Date: October 3, 2000 By: JERRY L. PETERS Jerry L. Peters Chief Financial and Accounting Officer 3 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----