2006 Transmission Rate Case; Public Hearing and Opportunities for Public Review and Comment, 5423-5428 [05-1890]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 2, 2005 / Notices
Issued in Washington, DC on January 26,
2005.
Sharon A. Evelin,
Acting Director, Records Management
Division, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–1889 Filed 2–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ADDRESSES:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration
[BPA File No. TR–06]
2006 Transmission Rate Case; Public
Hearing and Opportunities for Public
Review and Comment
Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA), Department of
Energy (DOE).
ACTIONS: Notice of 2006 Transmission
Rate Case.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: BPA File No. TR–06. BPA
requests that all comments and
documents intended to become part of
the Official Records in this proceeding
contain the file number designation TR–
06.
BPA’s existing transmission and
ancillary services rates expire
September 30, 2005. BPA will establish
transmission and ancillary service rates
in this proceeding for the period from
October 2005 through September 2007,
fiscal years (‘‘FY’’) 2006 and 2007
(‘‘2006–2007 Rate Period’’).
BPA’s Transmission Business Line
(‘‘TBL’’) held several public meetings
with customers over the period July
through September 2004 to discuss
transmission costs, revenues, and rate
design issues for the 2006–2007 Rate
Period. The customers expressed
interest in meeting with TBL to develop
a settlement for the 2006–2007 Rate
Period. Continued meetings between
October and early December resulted in
a Settlement Agreement. TBL’s initial
rate proposal (‘‘Initial Proposal’’)
reflects the terms of the Settlement
Agreement.
DATES: Persons wishing to become
formal parties to the proceeding must
notify BPA in writing of their intention
to do so by the requirements stated in
this Notice. Petitions to intervene must
be received by BPA no later than 4:30
p.m., Pacific Time, on February 14,
2005.
The rate adjustment proceeding will
begin with a pre-hearing conference at
9 a.m., Pacific Time, on February 16,
2005, in Portland, Oregon, at the
address stated below. Due to increased
security, attendees should allow
additional time for entry into the
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building. Attendees will need a photo
ID and will need to sign in at the
security desk.
Written comments by non-party
participants must be received by March
16, 2005, to be considered in the Record
of Decision (‘‘ROD’’).
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1. Petitions to intervene should be
directed to Jonathan Shardlow, Hearing
Clerk—LT–7, Bonneville Power
Administration, 905 NE 11th Ave.,
Portland, Oregon, 97232. In addition, a
copy of the petition must be served
concurrently on BPA’s General Counsel
and directed to Charles H. Combs—LT–
7, Office of General Counsel, 905 NE
11th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97232 (see
Part III, A for more information).
2. Written comments by non-party
participants should be submitted to Rate
Case, TBL Communications—T–Ditt2,
Bonneville Power Administration, PO
Box 491, Vancouver, WA 98666. You
also may e-mail your comments to:
tblfeedback@bpa.gov.
3. The pre-hearing conference will be
held in the BPA Rates Hearing Room,
2nd floor, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland,
Oregon, at 9 a.m., Pacific Time, on
February 16, 2005. Compact discs
(‘‘CD’’) containing the Initial Proposal
documents, in PDF format, will be
provided to parties at the pre-hearing
conference. The Settlement Agreement,
studies and documentation also will be
available on BPA’s Web site at https://
www.transmission.bpa.gov/Business/
Rates_and_Tariff/2006RateCase.cfm,
and may be viewed at BPA’s Public
Reference Room, 1st floor, 905 NE 11th
Ave., Portland, Oregon.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information also may be obtained from
Debbie Stout, TBL Communications—
T–Ditt2, Bonneville Power
Administration, PO Box 491,
Vancouver, WA 98666; by phone at
(360) 418–8995 or toll free at 1–888–
276–7790; or via e-mail to
dastout@bpa.gov.
Responsible Official: Mr. Dennis
Metcalf, Transmission Rate Case
Manager, is the official responsible for
the development of BPA’s transmission
and ancillary service rates.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Part I—Introduction and Procedural
Background
Part II—Purpose and Scope of Hearing
Part III—Public Participation
Part IV—Major Studies and Summary of
Transmission Rate Proposal
Part V—2006 Transmission and Ancillary
Service Rate Schedules
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Part I—Introduction and Procedural
Background
Section 7(i) of the Northwest Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 839e(i), requires that
BPA’s rates be established according to
certain procedures. These procedures
include, among other things,
publication of notice of the proposed
rates in the Federal Register; one or
more hearings conducted as
expeditiously as practicable by a
Hearing Officer; opportunity for both
oral presentation and written
submission of views, data, questions,
and arguments related to the proposed
rates; and a decision by the
Administrator based on the record.
BPA’s rate proceedings are governed by
BPA’s Procedures Governing Bonneville
Power Administration Rate Hearings, 51
FR 7611 (1986) (‘‘Procedures’’). These
Procedures implement the statutory
Section 7(i) requirements. This rate
proceeding will be governed by Section
1010.9 of the Procedures providing for
a general rate proceeding, as modified
by the Hearing Officer at the pre-hearing
conference. However, BPA will not hold
any field hearings to provide for nonparty participant oral comments.
Section 1010.7 of the Procedures
prohibits ex parte communications. BPA
imposed ex parte limitations beginning
January 17, 2005.
The Bonneville Project Act, 16 U.S.C.
832; the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16
U.S.C. 825s; the Federal Columbia River
Transmission System Act, 16 U.S.C.
838; the Northwest Power Act, 16 U.S.C.
839; and the Federal Power Act, 16
U.S.C. 824k(i)(1)(B)(ii) provide guidance
regarding BPA’s ratemaking. With
regard to transmission rates, the
Northwest Power Act requires BPA to
set rates that are sufficient to recover, in
accordance with sound business
principles, the cost of transmitting
electric power, including amortization
of the Federal investment over a
reasonable period of years, and the other
costs and expenses incurred by the
Administrator. The Federal Columbia
Transmission System Act requires that
the costs of the Federal Columbia River
Transmission System be equitably
allocated between Federal and nonFederal power utilizing the system. In
addition, rates for Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (‘‘FERC’’ or
‘‘Commission’’)-ordered transmission
service shall be at rates and charges that
permit the recovery of all costs incurred
in connection with the transmission
service and necessary associated
services.
A proposed schedule for the formal
hearing is stated below. A final schedule
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will be established by the Hearing
Officer at the pre-hearing conference.
February 14, 2005, Petitions to Intervene
February 16, 2005, Pre-hearing
Conference and Filing of BPA Direct
Case
February 22, 2005, Clarification
February 24, 2005, Objections to Initial
Proposal
February 28, 2005, Scheduling
Conference
March 16, 2005, Participant Comments
Due
June 20, 2005, Final ROD—Final
Studies
Part II—Purpose and Scope of Hearing
A. Key Components
1. Overview
BPA is committed to marketing its
power and transmission services
separately in a manner that is modeled
after the regulatory initiatives to
promote competition in wholesale
power markets that were adopted by the
Commission in 1996. The Commission’s
initiatives in Orders 888 1 and 889 2
directed public utilities regulated under
the Federal Power Act to separate their
power merchant functions from their
transmission reliability functions;
unbundle transmission and ancillary
services from wholesale power services;
and set separate rates for wholesale
generation, transmission, and ancillary
services. Although BPA is not required
by statute to follow the Commission’s
regulatory directives promoting
competition and open access
transmission service, BPA has elected to
separate its power and transmission
operations and unbundle its rates in a
manner consistent with the directives
concerning open access transmission
service. Accordingly, in 1996 BPA
established separate business lines:
BPA’s Power Business Line (‘‘PBL’’)
which performs BPA’s wholesale
merchant functions, and BPA’s TBL
which performs BPA’s transmission
system operations and reliability
functions. BPA develops its
transmission rates in separate
proceedings from its power rates.
2. PBL as a Party to the Rate Case
Because BPA has separated its power
and transmission functions, sets its
1 Promoting Wholesale Competition Through
Open Access Non-Discriminatory Transmission
Services by Pubic Utilities; Recovery of Stranded
Costs by Public Utilities and Transmitting Utilities,
Reg-Preamble, FERC Stats & Regs 1991–96, para.
31,036 (1996).
2 Open Access Same-Time Information System
(formerly Real-Time Information Networks) and
Standards of Conduct, Reg-Preamble, FERC Stats &
Regs 1991–96, para. 31,035 (1996).
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power and transmission rates in
separate proceedings, and PBL is a TBL
transmission customer, it is appropriate
that the PBL be a party to the
transmission rate proceeding.
Accordingly, PBL will be considered a
party to the Transmission Rate Case for
all purposes under the BPA Procedures.
The PBL may file testimony and briefs
as a party and will be entitled to all
other procedural rights of a party. In
particular, the PBL shall be considered
a party for purposes of ex parte
communications.
3. Two-Year Transmission Rate Period
The rate period for the rates proposed
in this transmission rate adjustment
proceeding is two years, the 2006–2007
Rate Period. A two-year rate period
balances the need for a short rate period
to limit revenue and cost risks with the
significant resource and time
requirements needed to plan and carry
out a rate case.
4. Settlement Agreement
TBL and most of its customers are
parties to a Settlement Agreement that
provides for TBL to submit an initial
transmission rate proposal that
incorporates the provisions of the
Settlement Agreement. The Settlement
Agreement specifies rate levels for
BPA’s transmission and ancillary
service rates during the 2006–2007 Rate
Period, as provided in Attachment 1 to
the Agreement and reflected in the
proposed Rate Schedules. Other major
provisions of the Settlement Agreement
include:
a. Payment by TBL to PBL of $1.5
million per year for redispatch services
described in a revised Attachment K to
BPA’s Open Access Transmission Tariff
(‘‘OATT’’). The Settlement Agreement
provides that TBL agrees to file with the
Commission, and the signatories to the
Settlement Agreement agree not to
challenge, the revised Attachment K.
BPA will file the revised Attachment K
as a proposed amendment to BPA’s
OATT to be effective as of October 1,
2005. Such filing will not be part of this
rate proceeding;
b. Network Integration rate schedule
language limiting the amount of
Customer-Served Load (‘‘CSL’’), and a
TBL commitment to work with
customers prior to October 2011, the
date on which TBL intends to eliminate
CSL, to determine whether a transition
mechanism is appropriate for NT
customers with CSL;
c. TBL commitment, effective on the
date TBL signs the Settlement
Agreement, to apply the methodologies
in FERC Order 2003–A for determining,
funding, and allocating the costs of
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facilities associated with generator
interconnections, and revisions to the
Advance Funding (‘‘AF’’) rate;
d. PBL agreement to charge federal
power customers that are served over
non-federal facilities (‘‘General Transfer
Agreement’’ or ‘‘GTA’’ service), which
PBL pays for, the same low-voltage
delivery charge applicable to customers
served over federal Delivery facilities
during the 2006–2007 Rate Period. For
the period beginning in FY 2008, the
GTA delivery charge will be determined
in the power rate case. PBL also agrees
to hold a rates workshop or other public
forum in advance of the power rate case;
e. TBL commitment to work with
customers in the Business Practice
Forum to develop a business practice for
self-supply of Generation Supplied
Reactive from qualifying non-federal
generators;
f. Failure to Comply Penalty Charge
revisions, which include a requirement
to curtail actual use;
g. TBL’s expected use of $15 million
in each year of the 2006–2007 Rate
Period of TBL’s financial reserves as a
funding source for transmission capital
programs, and the reflection of such use
in the calculation and presentation of
the transmission revenue requirement;
h. Rate schedule revisions that would
bill hourly non-firm transmission
service based on reservations instead of
on schedules, when TBL has systems in
place to do so;
i. TBL commitment to work to
develop a conditional firm transmission
product, and to conduct an expedited
rate case and make filings if necessary
to implement the product;
j. Formula rates to adjust for (1) FY
2007 PBL generation inputs for
Regulation and Frequency Response,
Operating Reserves, and GenerationSupplied Reactive ancillary services, as
determined in the next BPA power rate
case; (2) TBL payments for non-federal
generation-supplied reactive made
under FERC-approved rates; and (3) selfsupply of generation-supplied reactive.
The ASC–06 Regulation and Frequency
Response Service rate and the Operating
Reserve—Spinning Reserve Service and
Operating Reserve—Supplemental
Reserve Service rates would be adjusted
one time, on October 1, 2006. The ASC–
06 Reactive Supply and Voltage Control
from Generation Sources Service rate,
FPT–06.1 Formula Power Transmission
rate, and IR–06 Integration of Resources
rate would be calculated on a quarterly
basis beginning October 2005; and
k. A provision to be added to the
Point-to-Point (‘‘PTP’’), Southern
Intertie (‘‘IS’’), and Montana Intertie
(‘‘IM’’) rate schedules limiting
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additional charges for redirecting LongTerm service to Short-Term service.
The Settlement Agreement recognizes
the possibility that parties to the 2006
Transmission Rate Case that have not
signed the Settlement Agreement may
object to the TBL’s Initial Proposal. If
any party objects to the Initial Proposal,
TBL may continue to defend the Initial
Proposal or submit a revised proposal.
If TBL submits a revised proposal,
signatories to the Settlement Agreement
may contest any aspect of the revised
proposal. If TBL does not revise its
Initial Proposal, and the Administrator
establishes transmission rates consistent
with the Initial Proposal, the signatories
have agreed not to challenge approval of
the rates by FERC or in any judicial
forum.
expenditures, and further cut program
costs in an attempt to stay within actual
revenues. The drop in revenues for FY
2004 and FY 2005 and the resulting
deferred operations and maintenance
work, together with an increase in costs
due to completion of high-priority
capital projects, created tension between
reliability and cost recovery.
TBL is projecting sales during the
2006–2007 Rate Period similar to the
reduced level of sales encountered in
the current rate period. The increased
costs due to infrastructure projects, and
the reduced sales experienced during
the current rate period which are
forecast to continue in the 2006–2007
Rate Period, are the major contributors
to the need for increased rates.
B. Cost Increases and Revenue
Reductions
For nearly a decade, BPA has been
increasing its focus on the reliability
and availability of the federal
transmission system. In 1996, two major
transmission outages affected the
western United States. Over the past few
years, industry deregulation, drought in
California and the Northwest, changes
in use of the transmission system,
constraints in the federal transmission
system, and the blackout in the
Northeastern United States in 2003, all
have contributed to an intensified
regional focus on transmission system
reliability and availability and their
effect on energy costs. In order to
maintain transmission system reliability
and availability, BPA developed an
infrastructure plan with objectives to
reinforce the transmission system to
continue compliance with national
reliability standards; maintain and
improve the availability of the
transmission system, and remove or
manage constraints on the system. In
addition, BPA also adopted new tools
for evaluating how the main grid
transmission system is used.
During the current rate period, TBL
has completed and put into service
three major components of its
infrastructure program, the 500 kV
Kangley-Echo Lake line; 500 kV BellGrand Coulee line; and modernization
of the Celilo Direct Current Terminal. In
early FY 2006, a fourth major
component, the 500 kV SchultzWautoma line, is scheduled to enter
service.
Since the 2004 Transmission Rate
Case, transmission revenues declined
significantly compared to the forecasts.
In response, TBL increased efforts to
find efficiencies in its programs,
deferred some transmission
improvements, reduced operating
1. Program Level Funding Workshops—
Programs in Review
During the spring and summer of
2004, TBL provided an opportunity for
public participation and input on TBL
program cost levels through the
Programs In Review (‘‘PIR’’) process.
PIR opened on May 3, 2004, with a
notification by mail to TBL customers
and interested parties. Notices also were
published on TBL’s external website.
Seven public meetings were held
around the region during June and July
2004. At these public meetings, TBL
discussed issues concerning future
capital investments in the transmission
system and proposed expense levels for
transmission system development,
operation, maintenance, and reliability
for FY 2006—2007. A total of 147
entities attended the regional meetings.
In response to a request from customers
for additional information and
discussion of specific program level
issues, technical meetings were held on
August 5 and August 25, 2004. TBL also
provided informational materials
through direct mailings, written
responses to customer letters, emailings, and publication of all BPA
and customer-generated materials on
TBL’s external website and through
making staff available to answer
questions.
The PIR workshops and technical
meetings explored customers’ and
interested parties’ views on: (1)
Operating and maintaining an aging
transmission system;
(2) building and maintaining a
business framework in a changing
energy industry; (3) building a
transmission infrastructure to meet load
growth, provide stability for existing
contracts, ensure transmission system
reliability, and integrate new resources;
(4) maintaining a skilled and trained
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C. Overview of the Public Process
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workforce; (5) TBL’s access to capital;
(6) TBL and corporate staffing and
related corporate costs; and (7)
operating expenses increasing faster
than the rate of inflation. TBL accepted
written and oral comments on proposed
transmission programs, including
expense and capital spending levels,
through September 15, 2004. A oneweek extension was given for comment
on the maintenance program for
transmission facilities 115 kV and
below, until September 24, 2004.
After consideration of the customer
comments, BPA closed out the PIR
public process by issuing a decision
from the Administrator on transmission
spending levels for the proposed rate
period. The Initial Proposal is consistent
with the results of the Administrator’s
decision on transmission program
spending levels.
2. Transmission Rate Case Customer
Workshops
In preparation for the formal 2006
Transmission Rate Case, TBL held an
initial public workshop on July 15,
2004, for customers and other interested
parties. Three additional public
workshops and meetings were held in
August and September, 2004, for
customers and interested parties during
which TBL presented information about
costs, revenue forecasts, transmission
products, pricing, and rate design
issues. See https://
www.transmission.bpa.gov/Business/
Rates_and_Tariff/2006RateCase.cfm.
3. Settlement Discussions
During the rate case workshop
meetings, the customers approached
BPA about settlement of the rate case.
The customers and other interested
parties met with BPA during October,
November, and early December to
discuss settlement. The discussions
resulted in the Settlement Agreement,
which was offered by TBL on December
6, 2004, signed by customers through
January 7, 2005, and signed by TBL on
January 11, 2005.
D. Scope of the Transmission Rate
Proceeding
Many of the decisions that determine
TBL’s costs have been or will be made
in public review processes other than
the transmission rate proceeding. This
section provides guidance to the
Hearing Officer as to those matters that
are within the scope of the transmission
rate proceeding and those that are
outside the scope.
1. Spending Levels
As described above, Programs In
Review workshops were held
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throughout the region to clarify, discuss,
and provide the public the opportunity
to comment orally and in writing on
BPA’s proposed capital expenditures
and expenses for transmission. After
considering all comments, the
Administrator closed out the public
process by issuing a decision on
spending levels for FY 2006–2007. That
decision serves as the basis for the
transmission capital and expense levels
that are reflected in the transmission
rate proposal. Pursuant to section
1010.3(f) of BPA’s Procedures, the
Administrator directs the Hearing
Officer to exclude from the record any
evidence or arguments that seek in any
way to challenge the appropriateness or
reasonableness of the Administrator’s
decision on transmission spending
levels and sources of capital, including
capital and expense levels reviewed in
the Programs in Review public process.
If any re-examination of sources of
capital and spending levels is necessary,
that re-examination will occur outside
of the rate proceeding.
However, the foregoing direction to
the Hearing Officer does not apply to
the following matters: Customer
advance capital funding, revenue
financing, reserve financing, the proper
modeling of financing methods in rate
case studies, interest rate forecasts,
scheduled amortization, forecast
depreciation, forecasts of system
replacements for repayment studies,
interest expense, expense and revenue
uncertainties, and risks included in the
risk analysis.
The Initial Proposal for transmission
rates in FY 2006 is consistent with the
results of the Administrator’s decision
on these and all other issues decided in
the Power Rate Case and will be
reflected in all final decisions made in
the transmission rate proceeding. The
Administrator directs the Hearing
Officer to exclude from the record all
evidence and argument that seek in any
way to address or revisit final decisions
that were made in the 2002 Power Rate
Case. In addition, the Administrator
directs the Hearing Officer to exclude
from the record all evidence and
testimony that seek in any way to
address the same issues for the rates for
FY 2007, since those issues will be
covered in the next power rate case.
However, this direction to the Hearing
Officer does not apply to the design of
formula rates to recover those costs in
FY 2007, nor does it apply to generation
costs of station service and remedial
action schemes, nor to generation
integration costs that are forecasted in
the 2006 Transmission Rate Case.
2. Issues Decided in Power Rate
Proceeding
3. Revised Attachment K
The Administrator directs the Hearing
Officer to exclude from the record all
evidence and argument that seek in any
way to address revised Attachment K to
BPA’s OATT. BPA is not required by
law to, and does not, amend its OATT
in this rate proceeding. BPA will be
submitting a revised Attachment K to
the Commission for approval. A party
may raise challenges to revised
Attachment K to the Commission at that
time, unless the party has signed the
Settlement Agreement and TBL does not
revise its Initial Proposal.
A number of issues that affect
transmission and ancillary service rates
have been addressed in BPA’s 2002
Power Rate Case. On June 20, 2001, the
Administrator established wholesale
power rates for the period October 1,
2001, through September 30, 2006. The
Commission granted final approval of
the rates on July 21, 2003. In the Power
Rate Case, the Administrator made
decisions regarding the following: A
methodology for functionalizing
generation and transmission costs,
including a methodology for
functionalizing corporate overhead costs
to the business lines; costs for
generation inputs for ancillary services,
including operating reserves, regulating
reserve, and reactive power and voltage
control from generation resources; the
generation costs of station service and
remedial action schemes; and the
allocation of the costs of generation
integration and generator step-up
transformers to the business lines.
4. The National Environmental Policy
Act
BPA is in the process of assessing the
potential environmental effects of its
Initial Proposal, as required by the
National Environmental Policy Act
(‘‘NEPA’’). The Administrator directs
the Hearing Officer to exclude from the
record all evidence and argument that
seek in any way to address the potential
environmental impacts of the rates
being developed in the 2006
Transmission Rate Case. BPA’s Business
Plan Environmental Impact Statement
(‘‘Business Plan EIS’’), completed June
1995, evaluated the environmental
impacts of a range of business plan
alternatives that could be varied by
applying policy modules, including one
for rates. Any combination of alternative
policy modules should allow BPA to
balance its costs and revenues.
However, the EIS also addressed
response strategies BPA could pursue if
BPA’s costs exceeded its revenues.
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In August 1995, the BPA
Administrator issued a Record of
Decision (‘‘Business Plan ROD’’) that
adopted the Market-Driven Alternative
from the Business Plan EIS. This
alternative was selected because, among
other reasons, it allows BPA to: (1)
Recover costs through rates; (2)
competitively market BPA’s products
and services; (3) develop rates that meet
customer needs for clarity and
simplicity; (4) continue to meet BPA’s
legal mandates; and (5) avoid adverse
environmental impacts. BPA also
committed to apply as many response
strategies as necessary when BPA’s costs
and revenues do not balance.
Because the Initial Proposal likely
would assist BPA in accomplishing
these goals, the proposal appears
consistent with these aspects of the
Market-Driven Alternative. In addition,
this rate proposal is similar to the type
of rate designs and resulting rate levels
evaluated in the Business Plan EIS; thus
implementation of this rate proposal
would not be expected to result in
significantly different environmental
impacts from those examined in the
Business Plan EIS. Therefore, BPA
expects that this rate proposal will fall
within the scope of the Market-Driven
Alternative that was evaluated in the
Business Plan EIS and adopted in the
Business Plan ROD. As part of the
Administrator’s Record of Decision that
will be prepared regarding this 2006
Transmission Rate Case, BPA may tier
its decision under NEPA to the Business
Plan ROD. However, depending upon
the ongoing environmental review, BPA
may, instead, issue another appropriate
NEPA document.
Part III—Public Participation
A. Distinguishing Between
‘‘Participants’’ and ‘‘Parties’’
BPA distinguishes between
‘‘participants in’’ and ‘‘parties to’’ the
hearings. Apart from the formal hearing
process, BPA will receive written
comments, views, opinions, and
information from ‘‘participants,’’ who
are defined in the BPA Procedures as
persons who may submit comments
without being subject to the duties of, or
having the privileges of, parties.
Participants’ written comments will be
made part of the official record and
considered by the Administrator.
Participants are not entitled to
participate in the pre-hearing
conference; may not cross-examine
parties’ witnesses, seek discovery, or
serve or be served with documents; and
are not subject to the same procedural
requirements as parties.
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Written comments by participants
will be included in the record if they are
received by March 16, 2005. Written
views, supporting information,
questions, and arguments should be
submitted to Rate Case, TBL
Communications, at the address listed
in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice,
or may be e-mailed to
tblfeedback@bpa.gov.
Persons wishing to become a party to
this transmission rate adjustment
proceeding must notify BPA in writing.
Petitioners may designate no more than
two (2) representatives upon whom
service of documents will be made.
Petitions to intervene shall state the
name and address of the person
requesting party status, and the person’s
interest in the hearing.
Petitions to intervene as parties in the
rate proceeding are due to the Hearing
Officer by 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on
February 14, 2005. The petition should
be directed to: Jonathan Shardlow,
Hearing Clerk—LT–7, Bonneville Power
Administration, 905 NE 11th Avenue,
Portland, ORregon 97232.
A copy of the petition should be
served on BPA’s General Counsel and
directed to Charles H. Combs—LT–7,
Office of General Counsel, 905 NE 11th
Ave., Portland, Oregon 97232.
Petitioners must explain their
interests in sufficient detail to permit
the Hearing Officer to determine
whether they have a relevant interest in
the hearing. Pursuant to Rule 1010.1(d)
of BPA’s Procedures, BPA waives the
requirement in Rule 1010.4(d) that an
opposition to an intervention petition be
filed and served 24 hours before the prehearing conference. Any opposition to
an intervention petition may instead be
made at the pre-hearing conference. Any
party, including BPA, may oppose a
petition for intervention. Persons who
have been denied party status in any
past BPA rate proceeding shall continue
to be denied party status unless they
establish a significant change of
circumstances. All timely applications
will be ruled on by the Hearing Officer.
Late interventions are strongly
disfavored. Opposition to a petition to
intervene filed after the pre-hearing
conference shall be filed, and must be
received by BPA, within two (2) days
after service of the petition.
B. Developing the Record
The hearing record will include,
among other things, the transcripts of
the hearing, written material entered
into the record by TBL and the parties,
written comments from participants and
other material accepted into the record
by the Hearing Officer. The Hearing
Officer then will review the record and
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14:19 Feb 01, 2005
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will certify the record to the
Administrator for decision.
The Administrator will develop final
proposed rates based on the record,
information from the PIR, documents
prepared pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act and other
environmental statutes, and such other
material or information as may have
been submitted to or developed by the
Administrator. The Administrator will
serve copies of the Final Record of
Decision on all parties. BPA will file its
rates with the Commission for
confirmation and approval after
issuance of the Final Record of
Decision.
During the rate proceeding, TBL must
continue to meet with customers in the
ordinary course of business. To comport
with the rate case procedural rule
prohibiting ex parte communications,
TBL will provide necessary notice of
meetings involving rate proceeding
issues to provide an opportunity for
participation by all rate proceeding
parties. Parties should be aware,
however, that such meetings may be
held on very short notice and should be
prepared to devote the necessary
resources to participate fully in every
aspect of the rate proceeding.
Part IV—Major Studies and Summary
of Transmission Rate Proposal
A. Major Studies
1. Revenue Requirement Study—This
Study includes the calculation of
transmission revenue requirements for
the 2006–2007 Rate Period and
demonstration of cost recovery for the
transmission function. The Revenue
Requirement Study also includes an
analysis of financial risks.
2. Revenue Forecast Testimony—This
testimony includes the FY 2006 and
2007 revenue forecast at current 2004
transmission and ancillary service rates
and at proposed 2006 rate levels based
on forecasted loads and sales during the
period.
B. Summary of Proposal
1. Transmission rates—TBL is
proposing five rate schedules for the use
of its Integrated Network segment:
• Formula Power Transmission (FPT–
06.1 and FPT–06.3) rates—The two FPT
rates are based on the cost of specific
types of facilities including a distance
component for the use of transmission
lines, and are charged on a contract
demand basis. Included in the FPT rates
are the costs of the two required
ancillary services: Scheduling, System
Control and Dispatch Service and
Reactive Supply and Voltage Control
from Generation Sources Service. The
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5427
FPT–06.1 rate is proposed for contracts
that allow annual rate adjustments. The
FPT–06.1 rate is a formula rate that is
calculated quarterly to reflect the
quarterly change in the Reactive Supply
and Voltage Control from Generation
Sources Service rate, a small component
of the cost basis of the FPT rate. The
FPT–06.3 rate is proposed for contracts
that allow a rate change only once every
three years. The FPT–06.3 rate is fixed
for the rate period at the level of the
FPT–04.3 rate for FY 2005. Although
TBL has not offered new FPT wheeling
contracts since the OATT was adopted,
a number of FPT contracts continue in
place during the rate period.
• Integration of Resources (IR–06)
rate—The IR rate is a postage stamp,
contract demand rate for the use of the
Integrated Network, similar to the PTP
service. Charges for the two required
ancillary services: Scheduling, System
Control and Dispatch Service, and
Reactive Supply and Voltage Control
from Generation Sources Service, are
embedded in the IR rate. The proposed
IR–06 rate is a formula rate that is
calculated quarterly to reflect the
quarterly change in the Reactive Supply
and Voltage Control from Generation
Sources Service rate, a small component
of the cost basis of the IR rate. A Short
Distance discount is available when
resources are 75 miles or less from load.
Although TBL is not offering new IR
contracts, some IR contracts remain in
place during the rate period.
• Network Integration Transmission
(NT–06) rate—The NT rate applies to
customers taking Network Integration
Transmission Service under the OATT.
The NT rate schedule includes a Load
Shaping Charge applied to the
customer’s total load on the hour of the
Monthly Transmission Peak Load, and a
Base Charge applied to the customer’s
total load less CSL, if any. CSL is the
amount of load that the customer agrees
to serve without using its NT service.
Beginning October 2005, CSL is being
limited to the annual amount and
resources specified in NT service
agreements at that time. TBL intends to
eliminate CSL October 1, 2011.
• Point-to-Point (PTP–06) rate—The
PTP rate is a contract demand rate that
applies to customers taking PTP
Transmission Service on BPA’s
Integrated Network facilities under the
OATT. There are separate PTP rates for
long-term firm service; short-term firm
and non-firm service; and hourly firm
and non-firm service. The rate for longterm firm service contains a Short
Distance discount. All short-term and
hourly PTP rates are downwardly
flexible. The billing factor for Hourly
Nonfirm Service will change from
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 2, 2005 / Notices
scheduled amounts to Reserved
Capacity on 60 day notice when changes
to TBL systems and business practices
have been made that will accommodate
the Reserved Capacity billing factor. In
addition, the rate schedule is revised to
reflect the Settlement Agreement
provision to limit additional charges for
redirecting long-term service to shortterm service.
In addition to the four rates for
network use, other proposed
transmission rates include:
• The Southern Intertie (IS–06) and
Montana Intertie (IM–06) rates are
contract demand rates that apply to
customers taking PTP Transmission
Service under the OATT on the
Southern Intertie and Montana Intertie,
respectively. These rates are structured
similarly, and are revised similarly, to
the PTP rate for service on network
facilities.
• The Townsend-Garrison
Transmission (TGT–06) rate and the
Eastern Intertie rate (IE–06) are
developed pursuant to the Montana
Intertie agreement.
• The Use-of-Facilities (UFT–06) rate
establishes a formula for charging for
the use of a specific facility based on the
annual cost of that facility.
• The Advance Funding (AF–06) rate
allows TBL to collect the capital and
related costs of specific facilities
through an advance-funding
mechanism. Revisions are proposed to
the rate schedule to clarify its
availability to implement FERC Order
2003–A.3
2. Ancillary Services rates. In addition
to the rate level changes specified in
Attachment 1 to the Settlement
Agreement, TBL proposes to revise
other aspects of its Ancillary Services
and Control Area Services rates as
follows:
• The rates for Scheduling, System
Control, and Dispatch Service and
Reactive Supply and Voltage Control
from Generation Sources Service reflect
the eventual change in the Hourly
Nonfirm billing factor to Reserved
Capacity.
• The Reactive Supply and Voltage
Control from Generation Sources
Service rate is a formula rate that is
determined quarterly beginning October
1, 2005, to reflect the cost of non-federal
reactive rates and self-supply, and to
reflect the reactive cost of federal system
resources for FY 2007 determined in a
BPA power rate case.
• The rates for Regulation and
Frequency Response Service and
3 Standardization of Generator Interconnection
Agreements and Procedures, Reg-Preamble, FERC
Stats & Regs para. 31,160 (2004).
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14:19 Feb 01, 2005
Jkt 205001
Operating Reserves—Spinning and
Supplemental are formula rates that
adjust once on October 1, 2006, to
reflect the generation input costs
associated with federal system resources
for FY 2007 determined in a BPA power
rate case.
3. Other Rates and Charges. Other
charges that may apply to a customer’s
transmission service include a Delivery
Charge for the use of low-voltage
delivery substations, a Power Factor
Penalty Charge, a Reservation Fee for
customers who delay commencement of
long-term firm service, Incremental Cost
Rates for transmission requests that
require new facilities, and an
Unauthorized Increase Charge for
customers who exceed their contracted
amounts.
The proposed Failure to Comply
Penalty Charge for failure to comply
with TBL’s curtailment, redispatch or
load shedding orders is revised to
clarify that a customer must curtail, or
redispatch actual use of the
transmission system. Finally, the rate
proposal includes the GTA Delivery
Charge, set at the same level as the
Delivery Charge for federal facilities, for
low-voltage delivery service of federal
power provided under GTAs and other
non-federal transmission service
agreements.
Part V—2006 Transmission and
Ancillary Service Rate Schedules
BPA’s proposed 2006 Transmission
Rate Schedules are available for viewing
and downloading on TBL’s website at
https://www.transmission.bpa.gov/
Business/Rates_ and_Tariff/
2006RateCase.cfm. A copy of the
proposed rate schedules also is available
for viewing in BPA’s Public Reference
Room at the BPA Headquarters, 1st
floor, 905 NE 11th Avenue, Portland,
Oregon.
Issued in Portland, Oregon, on January 24,
2005.
Stephen J. Wright,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–1890 Filed 2–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. RP05–106–001]
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC;
Notice of Compliance Filing
January 25, 2005.
Take notice that on January 12, 2005,
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(Algonquin) tendered for filing a
compliance filing pursuant to a
Commission order issued on December
28, 2004, in Docket No. RP05–106–000.
(Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC, 109
FERC ¶61,371 (2004)).
Algonquin states that, in accordance
with paragraph 10 of the December 28
Order, Algonquin is revising section
1.40 of the general terms and conditions
of its FERC Gas Tariff to provide that
Algonquin may agree, on a not unduly
discriminatory basis, that a firm service
agreement subject to a negotiated or
discounted rate qualifies as a ROFR
agreement.
Algonquin states that copies of the
filing were served upon all affected
customers of Algonquin and interested
state commissions, as well as upon all
parties on the Commission’s official
service list in this proceeding.
Any person desiring to protest this
filing must file in accordance with Rule
211 of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR
385.211). Protests to this filing will be
considered by the Commission in
determining the appropriate action to be
taken, but will not serve to make
protestants parties to the proceeding.
Such protests must be filed in
accordance with the provisions of
Section 154.210 of the Commission’s
regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone
filing a protest must serve a copy of that
document on all the parties to the
proceeding.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests in lieu
of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at
https://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to
file electronically should submit an
original and 14 copies of the protest to
the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426.
This filing is accessible on-line at
https://www.ferc.gov, using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for
review in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC.
There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the
Web site that enables subscribers to
receive e-mail notification when a
document is added to a subscribed
docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
Online service, please e-mail
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–383 Filed 2–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5423-5428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1890]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration
[BPA File No. TR-06]
2006 Transmission Rate Case; Public Hearing and Opportunities for
Public Review and Comment
AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTIONS: Notice of 2006 Transmission Rate Case.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: BPA File No. TR-06. BPA requests that all comments and
documents intended to become part of the Official Records in this
proceeding contain the file number designation TR-06.
BPA's existing transmission and ancillary services rates expire
September 30, 2005. BPA will establish transmission and ancillary
service rates in this proceeding for the period from October 2005
through September 2007, fiscal years (``FY'') 2006 and 2007 (``2006-
2007 Rate Period'').
BPA's Transmission Business Line (``TBL'') held several public
meetings with customers over the period July through September 2004 to
discuss transmission costs, revenues, and rate design issues for the
2006-2007 Rate Period. The customers expressed interest in meeting with
TBL to develop a settlement for the 2006-2007 Rate Period. Continued
meetings between October and early December resulted in a Settlement
Agreement. TBL's initial rate proposal (``Initial Proposal'') reflects
the terms of the Settlement Agreement.
DATES: Persons wishing to become formal parties to the proceeding must
notify BPA in writing of their intention to do so by the requirements
stated in this Notice. Petitions to intervene must be received by BPA
no later than 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on February 14, 2005.
The rate adjustment proceeding will begin with a pre-hearing
conference at 9 a.m., Pacific Time, on February 16, 2005, in Portland,
Oregon, at the address stated below. Due to increased security,
attendees should allow additional time for entry into the building.
Attendees will need a photo ID and will need to sign in at the security
desk.
Written comments by non-party participants must be received by
March 16, 2005, to be considered in the Record of Decision (``ROD'').
ADDRESSES:
1. Petitions to intervene should be directed to Jonathan Shardlow,
Hearing Clerk--LT-7, Bonneville Power Administration, 905 NE 11th Ave.,
Portland, Oregon, 97232. In addition, a copy of the petition must be
served concurrently on BPA's General Counsel and directed to Charles H.
Combs--LT-7, Office of General Counsel, 905 NE 11th Ave., Portland,
Oregon 97232 (see Part III, A for more information).
2. Written comments by non-party participants should be submitted
to Rate Case, TBL Communications--T-Ditt2, Bonneville Power
Administration, PO Box 491, Vancouver, WA 98666. You also may e-mail
your comments to: tblfeedback@bpa.gov.
3. The pre-hearing conference will be held in the BPA Rates Hearing
Room, 2nd floor, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, Oregon, at 9 a.m., Pacific
Time, on February 16, 2005. Compact discs (``CD'') containing the
Initial Proposal documents, in PDF format, will be provided to parties
at the pre-hearing conference. The Settlement Agreement, studies and
documentation also will be available on BPA's Web site at https://
www.transmission.bpa.gov/Business/Rates_and_Tariff/2006RateCase.cfm,
and may be viewed at BPA's Public Reference Room, 1st floor, 905 NE
11th Ave., Portland, Oregon.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information also may be obtained from
Debbie Stout, TBL Communications--T-Ditt2, Bonneville Power
Administration, PO Box 491, Vancouver, WA 98666; by phone at (360) 418-
8995 or toll free at 1-888-276-7790; or via e-mail to dastout@bpa.gov.
Responsible Official: Mr. Dennis Metcalf, Transmission Rate Case
Manager, is the official responsible for the development of BPA's
transmission and ancillary service rates.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Part I--Introduction and Procedural Background
Part II--Purpose and Scope of Hearing
Part III--Public Participation
Part IV--Major Studies and Summary of Transmission Rate Proposal
Part V--2006 Transmission and Ancillary Service Rate Schedules
Part I--Introduction and Procedural Background
Section 7(i) of the Northwest Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 839e(i),
requires that BPA's rates be established according to certain
procedures. These procedures include, among other things, publication
of notice of the proposed rates in the Federal Register; one or more
hearings conducted as expeditiously as practicable by a Hearing
Officer; opportunity for both oral presentation and written submission
of views, data, questions, and arguments related to the proposed rates;
and a decision by the Administrator based on the record. BPA's rate
proceedings are governed by BPA's Procedures Governing Bonneville Power
Administration Rate Hearings, 51 FR 7611 (1986) (``Procedures''). These
Procedures implement the statutory Section 7(i) requirements. This rate
proceeding will be governed by Section 1010.9 of the Procedures
providing for a general rate proceeding, as modified by the Hearing
Officer at the pre-hearing conference. However, BPA will not hold any
field hearings to provide for non-party participant oral comments.
Section 1010.7 of the Procedures prohibits ex parte communications. BPA
imposed ex parte limitations beginning January 17, 2005.
The Bonneville Project Act, 16 U.S.C. 832; the Flood Control Act of
1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s; the Federal Columbia River Transmission System
Act, 16 U.S.C. 838; the Northwest Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 839; and the
Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824k(i)(1)(B)(ii) provide guidance
regarding BPA's ratemaking. With regard to transmission rates, the
Northwest Power Act requires BPA to set rates that are sufficient to
recover, in accordance with sound business principles, the cost of
transmitting electric power, including amortization of the Federal
investment over a reasonable period of years, and the other costs and
expenses incurred by the Administrator. The Federal Columbia
Transmission System Act requires that the costs of the Federal Columbia
River Transmission System be equitably allocated between Federal and
non-Federal power utilizing the system. In addition, rates for Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (``FERC'' or ``Commission'')-ordered
transmission service shall be at rates and charges that permit the
recovery of all costs incurred in connection with the transmission
service and necessary associated services.
A proposed schedule for the formal hearing is stated below. A final
schedule
[[Page 5424]]
will be established by the Hearing Officer at the pre-hearing
conference.
February 14, 2005, Petitions to Intervene
February 16, 2005, Pre-hearing Conference and Filing of BPA Direct Case
February 22, 2005, Clarification
February 24, 2005, Objections to Initial Proposal
February 28, 2005, Scheduling Conference
March 16, 2005, Participant Comments Due
June 20, 2005, Final ROD--Final Studies
Part II--Purpose and Scope of Hearing
A. Key Components
1. Overview
BPA is committed to marketing its power and transmission services
separately in a manner that is modeled after the regulatory initiatives
to promote competition in wholesale power markets that were adopted by
the Commission in 1996. The Commission's initiatives in Orders 888 \1\
and 889 \2\ directed public utilities regulated under the Federal Power
Act to separate their power merchant functions from their transmission
reliability functions; unbundle transmission and ancillary services
from wholesale power services; and set separate rates for wholesale
generation, transmission, and ancillary services. Although BPA is not
required by statute to follow the Commission's regulatory directives
promoting competition and open access transmission service, BPA has
elected to separate its power and transmission operations and unbundle
its rates in a manner consistent with the directives concerning open
access transmission service. Accordingly, in 1996 BPA established
separate business lines: BPA's Power Business Line (``PBL'') which
performs BPA's wholesale merchant functions, and BPA's TBL which
performs BPA's transmission system operations and reliability
functions. BPA develops its transmission rates in separate proceedings
from its power rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Promoting Wholesale Competition Through Open Access Non-
Discriminatory Transmission Services by Pubic Utilities; Recovery of
Stranded Costs by Public Utilities and Transmitting Utilities, Reg-
Preamble, FERC Stats & Regs 1991-96, para. 31,036 (1996).
\2\ Open Access Same-Time Information System (formerly Real-Time
Information Networks) and Standards of Conduct, Reg-Preamble, FERC
Stats & Regs 1991-96, para. 31,035 (1996).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. PBL as a Party to the Rate Case
Because BPA has separated its power and transmission functions,
sets its power and transmission rates in separate proceedings, and PBL
is a TBL transmission customer, it is appropriate that the PBL be a
party to the transmission rate proceeding. Accordingly, PBL will be
considered a party to the Transmission Rate Case for all purposes under
the BPA Procedures. The PBL may file testimony and briefs as a party
and will be entitled to all other procedural rights of a party. In
particular, the PBL shall be considered a party for purposes of ex
parte communications.
3. Two-Year Transmission Rate Period
The rate period for the rates proposed in this transmission rate
adjustment proceeding is two years, the 2006-2007 Rate Period. A two-
year rate period balances the need for a short rate period to limit
revenue and cost risks with the significant resource and time
requirements needed to plan and carry out a rate case.
4. Settlement Agreement
TBL and most of its customers are parties to a Settlement Agreement
that provides for TBL to submit an initial transmission rate proposal
that incorporates the provisions of the Settlement Agreement. The
Settlement Agreement specifies rate levels for BPA's transmission and
ancillary service rates during the 2006-2007 Rate Period, as provided
in Attachment 1 to the Agreement and reflected in the proposed Rate
Schedules. Other major provisions of the Settlement Agreement include:
a. Payment by TBL to PBL of $1.5 million per year for redispatch
services described in a revised Attachment K to BPA's Open Access
Transmission Tariff (``OATT''). The Settlement Agreement provides that
TBL agrees to file with the Commission, and the signatories to the
Settlement Agreement agree not to challenge, the revised Attachment K.
BPA will file the revised Attachment K as a proposed amendment to BPA's
OATT to be effective as of October 1, 2005. Such filing will not be
part of this rate proceeding;
b. Network Integration rate schedule language limiting the amount
of Customer-Served Load (``CSL''), and a TBL commitment to work with
customers prior to October 2011, the date on which TBL intends to
eliminate CSL, to determine whether a transition mechanism is
appropriate for NT customers with CSL;
c. TBL commitment, effective on the date TBL signs the Settlement
Agreement, to apply the methodologies in FERC Order 2003-A for
determining, funding, and allocating the costs of facilities associated
with generator interconnections, and revisions to the Advance Funding
(``AF'') rate;
d. PBL agreement to charge federal power customers that are served
over non-federal facilities (``General Transfer Agreement'' or ``GTA''
service), which PBL pays for, the same low-voltage delivery charge
applicable to customers served over federal Delivery facilities during
the 2006-2007 Rate Period. For the period beginning in FY 2008, the GTA
delivery charge will be determined in the power rate case. PBL also
agrees to hold a rates workshop or other public forum in advance of the
power rate case;
e. TBL commitment to work with customers in the Business Practice
Forum to develop a business practice for self-supply of Generation
Supplied Reactive from qualifying non-federal generators;
f. Failure to Comply Penalty Charge revisions, which include a
requirement to curtail actual use;
g. TBL's expected use of $15 million in each year of the 2006-2007
Rate Period of TBL's financial reserves as a funding source for
transmission capital programs, and the reflection of such use in the
calculation and presentation of the transmission revenue requirement;
h. Rate schedule revisions that would bill hourly non-firm
transmission service based on reservations instead of on schedules,
when TBL has systems in place to do so;
i. TBL commitment to work to develop a conditional firm
transmission product, and to conduct an expedited rate case and make
filings if necessary to implement the product;
j. Formula rates to adjust for (1) FY 2007 PBL generation inputs
for Regulation and Frequency Response, Operating Reserves, and
Generation-Supplied Reactive ancillary services, as determined in the
next BPA power rate case; (2) TBL payments for non-federal generation-
supplied reactive made under FERC-approved rates; and (3) self-supply
of generation-supplied reactive. The ASC-06 Regulation and Frequency
Response Service rate and the Operating Reserve--Spinning Reserve
Service and Operating Reserve--Supplemental Reserve Service rates would
be adjusted one time, on October 1, 2006. The ASC-06 Reactive Supply
and Voltage Control from Generation Sources Service rate, FPT-06.1
Formula Power Transmission rate, and IR-06 Integration of Resources
rate would be calculated on a quarterly basis beginning October 2005;
and
k. A provision to be added to the Point-to-Point (``PTP''),
Southern Intertie (``IS''), and Montana Intertie (``IM'') rate
schedules limiting
[[Page 5425]]
additional charges for redirecting Long-Term service to Short-Term
service.
The Settlement Agreement recognizes the possibility that parties to
the 2006 Transmission Rate Case that have not signed the Settlement
Agreement may object to the TBL's Initial Proposal. If any party
objects to the Initial Proposal, TBL may continue to defend the Initial
Proposal or submit a revised proposal. If TBL submits a revised
proposal, signatories to the Settlement Agreement may contest any
aspect of the revised proposal. If TBL does not revise its Initial
Proposal, and the Administrator establishes transmission rates
consistent with the Initial Proposal, the signatories have agreed not
to challenge approval of the rates by FERC or in any judicial forum.
B. Cost Increases and Revenue Reductions
For nearly a decade, BPA has been increasing its focus on the
reliability and availability of the federal transmission system. In
1996, two major transmission outages affected the western United
States. Over the past few years, industry deregulation, drought in
California and the Northwest, changes in use of the transmission
system, constraints in the federal transmission system, and the
blackout in the Northeastern United States in 2003, all have
contributed to an intensified regional focus on transmission system
reliability and availability and their effect on energy costs. In order
to maintain transmission system reliability and availability, BPA
developed an infrastructure plan with objectives to reinforce the
transmission system to continue compliance with national reliability
standards; maintain and improve the availability of the transmission
system, and remove or manage constraints on the system. In addition,
BPA also adopted new tools for evaluating how the main grid
transmission system is used.
During the current rate period, TBL has completed and put into
service three major components of its infrastructure program, the 500
kV Kangley-Echo Lake line; 500 kV Bell-Grand Coulee line; and
modernization of the Celilo Direct Current Terminal. In early FY 2006,
a fourth major component, the 500 kV Schultz-Wautoma line, is scheduled
to enter service.
Since the 2004 Transmission Rate Case, transmission revenues
declined significantly compared to the forecasts. In response, TBL
increased efforts to find efficiencies in its programs, deferred some
transmission improvements, reduced operating expenditures, and further
cut program costs in an attempt to stay within actual revenues. The
drop in revenues for FY 2004 and FY 2005 and the resulting deferred
operations and maintenance work, together with an increase in costs due
to completion of high-priority capital projects, created tension
between reliability and cost recovery.
TBL is projecting sales during the 2006-2007 Rate Period similar to
the reduced level of sales encountered in the current rate period. The
increased costs due to infrastructure projects, and the reduced sales
experienced during the current rate period which are forecast to
continue in the 2006-2007 Rate Period, are the major contributors to
the need for increased rates.
C. Overview of the Public Process
1. Program Level Funding Workshops--Programs in Review
During the spring and summer of 2004, TBL provided an opportunity
for public participation and input on TBL program cost levels through
the Programs In Review (``PIR'') process. PIR opened on May 3, 2004,
with a notification by mail to TBL customers and interested parties.
Notices also were published on TBL's external website. Seven public
meetings were held around the region during June and July 2004. At
these public meetings, TBL discussed issues concerning future capital
investments in the transmission system and proposed expense levels for
transmission system development, operation, maintenance, and
reliability for FY 2006--2007. A total of 147 entities attended the
regional meetings. In response to a request from customers for
additional information and discussion of specific program level issues,
technical meetings were held on August 5 and August 25, 2004. TBL also
provided informational materials through direct mailings, written
responses to customer letters, e-mailings, and publication of all BPA
and customer-generated materials on TBL's external website and through
making staff available to answer questions.
The PIR workshops and technical meetings explored customers' and
interested parties' views on: (1) Operating and maintaining an aging
transmission system;
(2) building and maintaining a business framework in a changing
energy industry; (3) building a transmission infrastructure to meet
load growth, provide stability for existing contracts, ensure
transmission system reliability, and integrate new resources; (4)
maintaining a skilled and trained workforce; (5) TBL's access to
capital; (6) TBL and corporate staffing and related corporate costs;
and (7) operating expenses increasing faster than the rate of
inflation. TBL accepted written and oral comments on proposed
transmission programs, including expense and capital spending levels,
through September 15, 2004. A one-week extension was given for comment
on the maintenance program for transmission facilities 115 kV and
below, until September 24, 2004.
After consideration of the customer comments, BPA closed out the
PIR public process by issuing a decision from the Administrator on
transmission spending levels for the proposed rate period. The Initial
Proposal is consistent with the results of the Administrator's decision
on transmission program spending levels.
2. Transmission Rate Case Customer Workshops
In preparation for the formal 2006 Transmission Rate Case, TBL held
an initial public workshop on July 15, 2004, for customers and other
interested parties. Three additional public workshops and meetings were
held in August and September, 2004, for customers and interested
parties during which TBL presented information about costs, revenue
forecasts, transmission products, pricing, and rate design issues. See
https://www.transmission.bpa.gov/Business/Rates_and_Tariff/
2006RateCase.cfm.
3. Settlement Discussions
During the rate case workshop meetings, the customers approached
BPA about settlement of the rate case. The customers and other
interested parties met with BPA during October, November, and early
December to discuss settlement. The discussions resulted in the
Settlement Agreement, which was offered by TBL on December 6, 2004,
signed by customers through January 7, 2005, and signed by TBL on
January 11, 2005.
D. Scope of the Transmission Rate Proceeding
Many of the decisions that determine TBL's costs have been or will
be made in public review processes other than the transmission rate
proceeding. This section provides guidance to the Hearing Officer as to
those matters that are within the scope of the transmission rate
proceeding and those that are outside the scope.
1. Spending Levels
As described above, Programs In Review workshops were held
[[Page 5426]]
throughout the region to clarify, discuss, and provide the public the
opportunity to comment orally and in writing on BPA's proposed capital
expenditures and expenses for transmission. After considering all
comments, the Administrator closed out the public process by issuing a
decision on spending levels for FY 2006-2007. That decision serves as
the basis for the transmission capital and expense levels that are
reflected in the transmission rate proposal. Pursuant to section
1010.3(f) of BPA's Procedures, the Administrator directs the Hearing
Officer to exclude from the record any evidence or arguments that seek
in any way to challenge the appropriateness or reasonableness of the
Administrator's decision on transmission spending levels and sources of
capital, including capital and expense levels reviewed in the Programs
in Review public process. If any re-examination of sources of capital
and spending levels is necessary, that re-examination will occur
outside of the rate proceeding.
However, the foregoing direction to the Hearing Officer does not
apply to the following matters: Customer advance capital funding,
revenue financing, reserve financing, the proper modeling of financing
methods in rate case studies, interest rate forecasts, scheduled
amortization, forecast depreciation, forecasts of system replacements
for repayment studies, interest expense, expense and revenue
uncertainties, and risks included in the risk analysis.
2. Issues Decided in Power Rate Proceeding
A number of issues that affect transmission and ancillary service
rates have been addressed in BPA's 2002 Power Rate Case. On June 20,
2001, the Administrator established wholesale power rates for the
period October 1, 2001, through September 30, 2006. The Commission
granted final approval of the rates on July 21, 2003. In the Power Rate
Case, the Administrator made decisions regarding the following: A
methodology for functionalizing generation and transmission costs,
including a methodology for functionalizing corporate overhead costs to
the business lines; costs for generation inputs for ancillary services,
including operating reserves, regulating reserve, and reactive power
and voltage control from generation resources; the generation costs of
station service and remedial action schemes; and the allocation of the
costs of generation integration and generator step-up transformers to
the business lines.
The Initial Proposal for transmission rates in FY 2006 is
consistent with the results of the Administrator's decision on these
and all other issues decided in the Power Rate Case and will be
reflected in all final decisions made in the transmission rate
proceeding. The Administrator directs the Hearing Officer to exclude
from the record all evidence and argument that seek in any way to
address or revisit final decisions that were made in the 2002 Power
Rate Case. In addition, the Administrator directs the Hearing Officer
to exclude from the record all evidence and testimony that seek in any
way to address the same issues for the rates for FY 2007, since those
issues will be covered in the next power rate case. However, this
direction to the Hearing Officer does not apply to the design of
formula rates to recover those costs in FY 2007, nor does it apply to
generation costs of station service and remedial action schemes, nor to
generation integration costs that are forecasted in the 2006
Transmission Rate Case.
3. Revised Attachment K
The Administrator directs the Hearing Officer to exclude from the
record all evidence and argument that seek in any way to address
revised Attachment K to BPA's OATT. BPA is not required by law to, and
does not, amend its OATT in this rate proceeding. BPA will be
submitting a revised Attachment K to the Commission for approval. A
party may raise challenges to revised Attachment K to the Commission at
that time, unless the party has signed the Settlement Agreement and TBL
does not revise its Initial Proposal.
4. The National Environmental Policy Act
BPA is in the process of assessing the potential environmental
effects of its Initial Proposal, as required by the National
Environmental Policy Act (``NEPA''). The Administrator directs the
Hearing Officer to exclude from the record all evidence and argument
that seek in any way to address the potential environmental impacts of
the rates being developed in the 2006 Transmission Rate Case. BPA's
Business Plan Environmental Impact Statement (``Business Plan EIS''),
completed June 1995, evaluated the environmental impacts of a range of
business plan alternatives that could be varied by applying policy
modules, including one for rates. Any combination of alternative policy
modules should allow BPA to balance its costs and revenues. However,
the EIS also addressed response strategies BPA could pursue if BPA's
costs exceeded its revenues.
In August 1995, the BPA Administrator issued a Record of Decision
(``Business Plan ROD'') that adopted the Market-Driven Alternative from
the Business Plan EIS. This alternative was selected because, among
other reasons, it allows BPA to: (1) Recover costs through rates; (2)
competitively market BPA's products and services; (3) develop rates
that meet customer needs for clarity and simplicity; (4) continue to
meet BPA's legal mandates; and (5) avoid adverse environmental impacts.
BPA also committed to apply as many response strategies as necessary
when BPA's costs and revenues do not balance.
Because the Initial Proposal likely would assist BPA in
accomplishing these goals, the proposal appears consistent with these
aspects of the Market-Driven Alternative. In addition, this rate
proposal is similar to the type of rate designs and resulting rate
levels evaluated in the Business Plan EIS; thus implementation of this
rate proposal would not be expected to result in significantly
different environmental impacts from those examined in the Business
Plan EIS. Therefore, BPA expects that this rate proposal will fall
within the scope of the Market-Driven Alternative that was evaluated in
the Business Plan EIS and adopted in the Business Plan ROD. As part of
the Administrator's Record of Decision that will be prepared regarding
this 2006 Transmission Rate Case, BPA may tier its decision under NEPA
to the Business Plan ROD. However, depending upon the ongoing
environmental review, BPA may, instead, issue another appropriate NEPA
document.
Part III--Public Participation
A. Distinguishing Between ``Participants'' and ``Parties''
BPA distinguishes between ``participants in'' and ``parties to''
the hearings. Apart from the formal hearing process, BPA will receive
written comments, views, opinions, and information from
``participants,'' who are defined in the BPA Procedures as persons who
may submit comments without being subject to the duties of, or having
the privileges of, parties. Participants' written comments will be made
part of the official record and considered by the Administrator.
Participants are not entitled to participate in the pre-hearing
conference; may not cross-examine parties' witnesses, seek discovery,
or serve or be served with documents; and are not subject to the same
procedural requirements as parties.
[[Page 5427]]
Written comments by participants will be included in the record if
they are received by March 16, 2005. Written views, supporting
information, questions, and arguments should be submitted to Rate Case,
TBL Communications, at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice, or may be e-mailed to tblfeedback@bpa.gov.
Persons wishing to become a party to this transmission rate
adjustment proceeding must notify BPA in writing. Petitioners may
designate no more than two (2) representatives upon whom service of
documents will be made. Petitions to intervene shall state the name and
address of the person requesting party status, and the person's
interest in the hearing.
Petitions to intervene as parties in the rate proceeding are due to
the Hearing Officer by 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on February 14, 2005.
The petition should be directed to: Jonathan Shardlow, Hearing Clerk--
LT-7, Bonneville Power Administration, 905 NE 11th Avenue, Portland,
ORregon 97232.
A copy of the petition should be served on BPA's General Counsel
and directed to Charles H. Combs--LT-7, Office of General Counsel, 905
NE 11th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97232.
Petitioners must explain their interests in sufficient detail to
permit the Hearing Officer to determine whether they have a relevant
interest in the hearing. Pursuant to Rule 1010.1(d) of BPA's
Procedures, BPA waives the requirement in Rule 1010.4(d) that an
opposition to an intervention petition be filed and served 24 hours
before the pre-hearing conference. Any opposition to an intervention
petition may instead be made at the pre-hearing conference. Any party,
including BPA, may oppose a petition for intervention. Persons who have
been denied party status in any past BPA rate proceeding shall continue
to be denied party status unless they establish a significant change of
circumstances. All timely applications will be ruled on by the Hearing
Officer. Late interventions are strongly disfavored. Opposition to a
petition to intervene filed after the pre-hearing conference shall be
filed, and must be received by BPA, within two (2) days after service
of the petition.
B. Developing the Record
The hearing record will include, among other things, the
transcripts of the hearing, written material entered into the record by
TBL and the parties, written comments from participants and other
material accepted into the record by the Hearing Officer. The Hearing
Officer then will review the record and will certify the record to the
Administrator for decision.
The Administrator will develop final proposed rates based on the
record, information from the PIR, documents prepared pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental statutes, and
such other material or information as may have been submitted to or
developed by the Administrator. The Administrator will serve copies of
the Final Record of Decision on all parties. BPA will file its rates
with the Commission for confirmation and approval after issuance of the
Final Record of Decision.
During the rate proceeding, TBL must continue to meet with
customers in the ordinary course of business. To comport with the rate
case procedural rule prohibiting ex parte communications, TBL will
provide necessary notice of meetings involving rate proceeding issues
to provide an opportunity for participation by all rate proceeding
parties. Parties should be aware, however, that such meetings may be
held on very short notice and should be prepared to devote the
necessary resources to participate fully in every aspect of the rate
proceeding.
Part IV--Major Studies and Summary of Transmission Rate Proposal
A. Major Studies
1. Revenue Requirement Study--This Study includes the calculation
of transmission revenue requirements for the 2006-2007 Rate Period and
demonstration of cost recovery for the transmission function. The
Revenue Requirement Study also includes an analysis of financial risks.
2. Revenue Forecast Testimony--This testimony includes the FY 2006
and 2007 revenue forecast at current 2004 transmission and ancillary
service rates and at proposed 2006 rate levels based on forecasted
loads and sales during the period.
B. Summary of Proposal
1. Transmission rates--TBL is proposing five rate schedules for the
use of its Integrated Network segment:
Formula Power Transmission (FPT-06.1 and FPT-06.3) rates--
The two FPT rates are based on the cost of specific types of facilities
including a distance component for the use of transmission lines, and
are charged on a contract demand basis. Included in the FPT rates are
the costs of the two required ancillary services: Scheduling, System
Control and Dispatch Service and Reactive Supply and Voltage Control
from Generation Sources Service. The FPT-06.1 rate is proposed for
contracts that allow annual rate adjustments. The FPT-06.1 rate is a
formula rate that is calculated quarterly to reflect the quarterly
change in the Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation
Sources Service rate, a small component of the cost basis of the FPT
rate. The FPT-06.3 rate is proposed for contracts that allow a rate
change only once every three years. The FPT-06.3 rate is fixed for the
rate period at the level of the FPT-04.3 rate for FY 2005. Although TBL
has not offered new FPT wheeling contracts since the OATT was adopted,
a number of FPT contracts continue in place during the rate period.
Integration of Resources (IR-06) rate--The IR rate is a
postage stamp, contract demand rate for the use of the Integrated
Network, similar to the PTP service. Charges for the two required
ancillary services: Scheduling, System Control and Dispatch Service,
and Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation Sources
Service, are embedded in the IR rate. The proposed IR-06 rate is a
formula rate that is calculated quarterly to reflect the quarterly
change in the Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation
Sources Service rate, a small component of the cost basis of the IR
rate. A Short Distance discount is available when resources are 75
miles or less from load. Although TBL is not offering new IR contracts,
some IR contracts remain in place during the rate period.
Network Integration Transmission (NT-06) rate--The NT rate
applies to customers taking Network Integration Transmission Service
under the OATT. The NT rate schedule includes a Load Shaping Charge
applied to the customer's total load on the hour of the Monthly
Transmission Peak Load, and a Base Charge applied to the customer's
total load less CSL, if any. CSL is the amount of load that the
customer agrees to serve without using its NT service. Beginning
October 2005, CSL is being limited to the annual amount and resources
specified in NT service agreements at that time. TBL intends to
eliminate CSL October 1, 2011.
Point-to-Point (PTP-06) rate--The PTP rate is a contract
demand rate that applies to customers taking PTP Transmission Service
on BPA's Integrated Network facilities under the OATT. There are
separate PTP rates for long-term firm service; short-term firm and non-
firm service; and hourly firm and non-firm service. The rate for long-
term firm service contains a Short Distance discount. All short-term
and hourly PTP rates are downwardly flexible. The billing factor for
Hourly Nonfirm Service will change from
[[Page 5428]]
scheduled amounts to Reserved Capacity on 60 day notice when changes to
TBL systems and business practices have been made that will accommodate
the Reserved Capacity billing factor. In addition, the rate schedule is
revised to reflect the Settlement Agreement provision to limit
additional charges for redirecting long-term service to short-term
service.
In addition to the four rates for network use, other proposed
transmission rates include:
The Southern Intertie (IS-06) and Montana Intertie (IM-06)
rates are contract demand rates that apply to customers taking PTP
Transmission Service under the OATT on the Southern Intertie and
Montana Intertie, respectively. These rates are structured similarly,
and are revised similarly, to the PTP rate for service on network
facilities.
The Townsend-Garrison Transmission (TGT-06) rate and the
Eastern Intertie rate (IE-06) are developed pursuant to the Montana
Intertie agreement.
The Use-of-Facilities (UFT-06) rate establishes a formula
for charging for the use of a specific facility based on the annual
cost of that facility.
The Advance Funding (AF-06) rate allows TBL to collect the
capital and related costs of specific facilities through an advance-
funding mechanism. Revisions are proposed to the rate schedule to
clarify its availability to implement FERC Order 2003-A.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Standardization of Generator Interconnection Agreements and
Procedures, Reg-Preamble, FERC Stats & Regs para. 31,160 (2004).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Ancillary Services rates. In addition to the rate level changes
specified in Attachment 1 to the Settlement Agreement, TBL proposes to
revise other aspects of its Ancillary Services and Control Area
Services rates as follows:
The rates for Scheduling, System Control, and Dispatch
Service and Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation Sources
Service reflect the eventual change in the Hourly Nonfirm billing
factor to Reserved Capacity.
The Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation
Sources Service rate is a formula rate that is determined quarterly
beginning October 1, 2005, to reflect the cost of non-federal reactive
rates and self-supply, and to reflect the reactive cost of federal
system resources for FY 2007 determined in a BPA power rate case.
The rates for Regulation and Frequency Response Service
and Operating Reserves--Spinning and Supplemental are formula rates
that adjust once on October 1, 2006, to reflect the generation input
costs associated with federal system resources for FY 2007 determined
in a BPA power rate case.
3. Other Rates and Charges. Other charges that may apply to a
customer's transmission service include a Delivery Charge for the use
of low-voltage delivery substations, a Power Factor Penalty Charge, a
Reservation Fee for customers who delay commencement of long-term firm
service, Incremental Cost Rates for transmission requests that require
new facilities, and an Unauthorized Increase Charge for customers who
exceed their contracted amounts.
The proposed Failure to Comply Penalty Charge for failure to comply
with TBL's curtailment, redispatch or load shedding orders is revised
to clarify that a customer must curtail, or redispatch actual use of
the transmission system. Finally, the rate proposal includes the GTA
Delivery Charge, set at the same level as the Delivery Charge for
federal facilities, for low-voltage delivery service of federal power
provided under GTAs and other non-federal transmission service
agreements.
Part V--2006 Transmission and Ancillary Service Rate Schedules
BPA's proposed 2006 Transmission Rate Schedules are available for
viewing and downloading on TBL's website at https://
www.transmission.bpa.gov/Business/Rates_and_Tariff/2006RateCase.cfm.
A copy of the proposed rate schedules also is available for viewing in
BPA's Public Reference Room at the BPA Headquarters, 1st floor, 905 NE
11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon.
Issued in Portland, Oregon, on January 24, 2005.
Stephen J. Wright,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-1890 Filed 2-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P