Comments in Support of Settlement of New York State Electric & Gas Corp., National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., and Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. re Dominion Transmission, Inc. under RP03-195.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Dominion Transmission, Inc. ) Docket No. RP03-195-00__ COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION, NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION, NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION, AND ROCHESTER GAS AND ELECTRIC CORPORATION Pursuant to Rule 602 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 C.F.R. 385.602 (2003), New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, a National Grid company, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (collectively referred to as the Major Non-Affiliated Distributor Group (MND Group) hereby jointly and severally submit their comments on the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement and related tariff sheets (Settlement) filed on August 29, 2003, by Dominion Transmission, Inc. (DTI) in the above-captioned proceeding. The MND Group has participated actively in this proceeding from the outset, first protesting DTIs original filing, then participating in numerous rounds of negotiations that produced the Settlement. The MND Group believes that the filed Settlement presents a reasonable resolution of the issues addressed in this case. Accordingly, the MND Group supports the filed Settlement agreement, and urges the Commission to approve the filed Settlement without condition or modification. The MND Group respectfully requests that the Commission issue an order approving the settlement no later than October 15, 2003, in order to permit the Settlements provisions and the related tariff modifications to become effective in time for the 2003-2004 winter heating season. WHEREFORE, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, a National Grid company, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation respectfully request that the Commission approve the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement filed by DTI, without condition or modification, by an order issued no later than October 15, 2003. Respectfully submitted, /s/Michael W. Reville /s/Roxane E. Maywalt Michael W. Reville Roxane E. Maywalt Deputy General Counsel Associate Counsel National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation National Grid USA Service Company, Inc. 10 Lafayette Square 300 Erie Boulevard West Buffalo, NY 14203 Syracuse, NY 13202 Phone: (716) 857-7000 Phone: (315) 428-5187 Fax: (716) 857-7687 Fax: (315) 428-6407 Email: RevilleM@natfuel.com Email: roxane.maywalt@us.ngrid.com Attorney for Attorney for National Fuel Gas Distribution Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Corporation A National Grid Company /s/Aryeh B. Fishman Aryeh B. Fishman Huber Lawrence & Abell 1001 G Street, N.W., Suite 1225 Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 737-3880 Fax: (202) 737-6008 Email: afishman@huberlaw.com Attorney for New York State Electric & ...