Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division-Rate Order No. WAPA-126, 35080-35082 [05-11884]
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35080
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Notices
Legal Authority
Since the proposed rates constitute a
major adjustment as defined by 10 CFR
part 903, Western will hold both a
public information forum and a public
comment forum. After review of public
comments and possible amendments or
adjustments, Western will recommend
that the Deputy Secretary of Energy
approve the proposed rates on an
interim basis.
Western is establishing firm electric
service rates for LAP under the
Department of Energy Organization Act
(42 U.S.C. 7152); the Reclamation Act of
1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as
amended and supplemented by
subsequent laws, particularly section
9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of
1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)) and section 5
of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16
U.S.C. 825s); and other acts that
specifically apply to the projects
involved.
By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00,
effective December 6, 2001, the
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The
authority to develop power and
transmission rates to Western’s
Administrator; (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the
Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the
authority to confirm, approve, and place
into effect on a final basis, to remand,
or to disapprove such rates to the
Commission. Existing Department of
Energy (DOE) procedures for public
participation in power rate adjustments
(10 CFR part 903) were published on
September 18, 1985.
Availability of Information
All brochures, studies, comments,
letters, memorandums, e-mail, or other
documents that Western initiates to
develop the proposed rates are available
for inspection and copying at the Rocky
Mountain Regional Office, located at
5555 East Crossroads Boulevard,
Loveland, Colorado. Many of these
documents, and supporting information,
are also available on its Web site under
the ‘‘Rate Adjustments’’ section located
at https://www.wapa.gov/rm/rm.htm.
Regulatory Procedure Requirements
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) requires Federal
agencies to perform a regulatory
flexibility analysis if a final rule is likely
to have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities
and there is a legal requirement to issue
a general notice of proposed
rulemaking. This action does not require
a regulatory flexibility analysis since it
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:42 Jun 15, 2005
Jkt 205001
is a rulemaking of particular
applicability involving rates or services
applicable to public property.
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.);
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508);
and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR
part 1021), Western has determined that
this action is categorically excluded
from preparing an environmental
assessment or an environmental impact
statement.
Determination Under Executive Order
12866
Western has an exemption from
centralized regulatory review under
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no
clearance of this notice by the Office of
Management and Budget is required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
Western has determined that this rule
is exempt from congressional
notification requirements under 5 U.S.C.
801 because the action is a rulemaking
of particular applicability relating to
rates or services and involves matters of
procedure.
Dated: June 8, 2005.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05–11883 Filed 6–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program—
Eastern Division-Rate Order No.
WAPA–126
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed power rates.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Western Area Power
Administration (Western) is proposing
revised rates for Pick-Sloan Missouri
Basin Program—Eastern Division (P–
SMBP—ED) firm electric and firm
peaking power service. Current rates,
under Rate Schedules P–SED–F7 and P–
SED–FP7, extend through December 31,
2008. The proposed rates will provide
sufficient revenue to pay all annual
costs, including interest expense, and
repayment of required investment
within the allowable period. Western
will prepare a brochure that provides
detailed information on the rates to all
interested parties. The proposed rates,
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under Rate Schedules P–SED–F8 and P–
SED–FP8, are scheduled to go into effect
on January 1, 2006, and will remain in
effect through December 31, 2010.
Publication of this Federal Register
notice begins the formal process for the
proposed rates.
DATES: The consultation and comment
period begins today and will end
September 14, 2005. Western will
present a detailed explanation of the
proposed rates at public information
forums. Public information forum dates
are:
1. July 19, 2005, 10 a.m. MDT,
Denver, CO.
2. July 20, 2005, 8 a.m. CDT, Lincoln,
NE.
3. July 20, 2005, 2 p.m. CDT, Sioux
Falls, SD.
4. July 21, 2005, 9 a.m. CDT, Fargo,
ND.
Western will accept oral and written
comments at public comment forums.
Public comment forums will be held on
the following dates:
1. August 16, 2005, 9 a.m. MDT,
Denver, CO.
2. August 17, 2005, 9 a.m. CDT, Sioux
Falls, SD.
Western will accept written
comments any time during the
consultation and comment period.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Robert J. Harris, Regional Manager,
Upper Great Plains Region, Western
Area Power Administration, 2900 4th
Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101–
1266, e-mail ugp_firmrate@wapa.gov.
Western will post information about the
rate process on its Web site at https://
www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/
2006FirmRateAdj. Western will post
official comments received via letter
and e-mail to its Web site after the close
of the comment period. Western must
receive written comments by the end of
the consultation and comment period to
ensure they are considered in Western’s
decision process.
Public information forum locations
are:
1. Denver—Radisson Stapleton Plaza,
3333 Quebec Street, Denver, CO.
2. Lincoln—Peru State College Center,
1111 O Street, Lincoln, NE.
3. Sioux Falls—Sheraton Hotel and
Convention Center, 1211 West Avenue
North, Sioux Falls, SD.
4. Fargo—Doublewood Inn, 3333 13th
Avenue South, Fargo, ND.
Public comment forum locations are:
1. Denver—Radisson Stapleton Plaza,
3333 Quebec Street, Denver, CO.
2. Sioux Falls—Sheraton Hotel and
Convention Center, 1211 West Avenue
North, Sioux Falls, SD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Jon R. Horst, Rates Manager, Upper
E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Notices
Great Plains Region, Western Area
Power Administration, 2900 4th Avenue
North, Billings, MT 59101–1266,
telephone (406) 247–7444, e-mail
horst@wapa.gov.
Proposed
rates for P-SMBP—ED firm electric and
firm peaking service are designed to
recover an annual revenue requirement
that includes investment repayment,
interest, purchase power, operation and
maintenance expense, and other
expenses. The projected annual revenue
requirement for firm electric service is
allocated equally between capacity and
energy.
The Deputy Secretary of Energy
approved Rate Schedules P–SED–F7
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
and P–SED–FP7 for P–SMBP—ED firm
electric and firm peaking service on
December 24, 2003 (Rate Order No.
WAPA–110, 69 FR 649, January 6,
2004), and the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
confirmed and approved the rate
schedules on December 23, 2004, under
FERC Docket No. EF04–5031–000 (109
FERC 62,234). Approval for Rate
Schedules P–SED–F7 and P–FED–FP7
covered 5 years beginning on February
1, 2004, ending on December 31, 2008.
Under Rate Schedule P–SED–F7, the
second step of the composite rate
effective on October 1, 2004, is 16.51
mills per kilowatthour (mills/kWh), the
energy rate is 9.62 mills/kWh, and the
capacity rate is $3.72 per kilowattmonth
35081
(kWmonth). Under Rate Schedule P–
SED–F8, Western is proposing a twostep rate adjustment. Under a two-step
method, the rates for P–SMBP—ED firm
electric service will result in an overall
composite rate increase of about 11.9
percent effective January 1, 2006, an
additional 5.8 percent effective January
1, 2007, with a total compounded
increase of about 18.4 percent. The
proposed Firm Capacity and Firm
Peaking Capacity rates will increase
about 12.9 percent effective on January
1, 2006, an additional 6.0 percent
effective January 1, 2007, with a total
compounded increase of about 19.6
percent. Proposed rates for P–SMBP—
ED firm electric and firm peaking
service are listed in Table 1.
TABLE 1.—TWO STEP PROPOSAL—FIRM ELECTRIC SERVICE REVENUE REQUIREMENT AND RATES
Percent
change
Second step rates Jan. 1,
2007
Percent
change
Firm electric service
Existing rates
First step rates Jan. 1, 2006
P–SMBP–ED Revenue Requirement.
P–SMBP–ED Composite
Rate.
Firm Capacity ......................
Firm Energy .........................
Tiered 60 Percent Load Factor.
Firm Peaking Capacity ........
Firm Peaking Energy 1 ........
$160.1 million ......................
$179.4 million ......................
12.1
$189.9 million ......................
5.9
16.51 mills/kWh ..................
18.47 mills/kWh ..................
11.9
19.54 mills/kWh ..................
5.8
$3.72/kWmonth ...................
9.62 mills/kWh ....................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
$4.20/kWmonth ...................
10.69 mills/kWh ..................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
12.9
11.1
0.0
$4.45/kWmonth ...................
11.29 mills/kWh ..................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
6.0
5.6
0.0
$3.72/kWmonth ...................
9.62 mills/kWh ....................
$4.20/kWmonth ...................
10.69 mills/kWh ..................
12.9
11.1
$4.45/kWmonth ...................
11.29 mills/kWh ..................
6.0
5.6
1 Firm
Peaking Energy is normally returned. This rate will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not returned.
During informal information
discussions, Western received requests
from the Firm Peaking customers and
others to reconsider the Firm Peaking
rate design. Concern was expressed by
the Firm Peaking customers and others
in informal discussions for this rate
adjustment as well as in past rate
processes on assignment of costs
associated with the drought. Firm
Peaking customers and others have
suggested some alternatives for
consideration by Western. In response
to those suggestions, Western prepared
an alternative proposal, the Firm
Peaking Capacity Design Alternative, for
consideration and comment in this
public process.
Although the two-step rate adjustment
in Table 1 is the option being proposed,
maintaining equity among products and
rates is in Western’s interest. Therefore,
Western is soliciting comments on
equity among products and comments
with supporting information for or
against the Firm Peaking Capacity
Design Alternative. In this alternative,
the Firm Peaking Capacity rate is 13.9
percent less than the Firm Power
Capacity rate. The impact on the Firm
Power revenue requirement is
approximately a 1-percent increase. The
comparative changes in the rates
between the proposed two-step rate
adjustment and the Firm Peaking
Capacity Design Alternative are
described here: The Firm Capacity rate
would increase from 12.9 percent to
16.1 percent in the first step and the
second step would be an additional 6.0
percent in both proposals. The Firm
Energy rate would remain the same with
an 11.1-percent increase in the first step
and a 5.6-percent increase in the second
step. The proposed rates provided under
this alternative are included in Table 2.
TABLE 2.—PROPOSED—FIRM PEAKING CAPACITY DESIGN ALTERNATIVE
Percent
change
Second step rates Jan. 1,
2007
Percent
change
Firm electric service
Existing rates
First step rates Jan. 1, 2006
P-SMBP—ED Revenue Requirement.
P-SMBP—ED Composite
Rate.
Firm Capacity ......................
Firm Energy .........................
Tiered > Percent Load Factor.
Firm Peaking Capacity ........
Firm Peaking Energy 1 .........
$160.1 million ......................
$179.4 million ......................
12.1
$189.9 million ......................
5.9
16.51 mills/kWh ..................
18.71 mills/kWh ..................
13.3
19.79 mills/kWh ..................
5.8
$3.72/kWmonth ...................
9.62 mills/kWh ....................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
$4.32/kWmonth ...................
10.69 mills/kWh ..................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
16.1
11.1
0.0
$4.58/kWmonth ...................
11.29 mills/kWh ..................
5.21 mills/kWh ....................
6.0
5.6
0.0
$3.72/kWmonth ...................
9.62 mills/kWh ....................
$3.72/kWmonth ...................
10.69 mills/kWh ..................
0
11.1
$3.94/kWmonth ...................
11.29 mills/kWh ..................
5.9
5.6
1 Firm
Peaking Energy is normally returned. This rate will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not returned.
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E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM
16JNN1
35082
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Notices
Legal Authority
Since the proposed rates constitute a
major rate adjustment as defined by 10
CFR part 903, Western will hold both
public information forum and public
comment forums. After review of public
comments, and possible amendments or
adjustments, Western will recommend
the Deputy Secretary of Energy approve
the proposed rates on an interim basis.
Western is establishing the firm
electric service rates for P-SMBP—ED
under the Department of Energy
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152); the
Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32
Stat. 388), as amended and
supplemented by subsequent laws,
particularly section 9(c) of the
Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43
U.S.C. 485h(c)); and other acts that
specifically apply to the projects
involved.
By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00,
effective December 6, 2001, the
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The
authority to develop power and
transmission rates to Western’s
Administrator; (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the
Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the
authority to confirm, approve, and place
into effect on a final basis, to remand,
or to disapprove such rates to the
Commission. Existing Department of
Energy (DOE) procedures for public
participation in power rate adjustments
(10 CFR part 903) were published on
September 18, 1985 (50 FR 37835).
Availability of Information
All brochures, studies, comments,
letters, memorandums, or other
documents that Western initiates or uses
to develop the proposed rates are
available for inspection and copying at
the Upper Great Plains Regional Office,
located at 2900 4th Avenue North,
Billings, MT. Many of these documents
and supporting information are also
available on its Web site under the
‘‘2006 Firm Rate Adjustment’’ section
located at https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/
rates/2006FirmRateAdj.
Regulatory Procedure Requirements
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) requires Federal
agencies to perform a regulatory
flexibility analysis if a final rule is likely
to have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities
and there is a legal requirement to issue
a general notice of proposed
rulemaking. This action does not require
a regulatory flexibility analysis since it
is a rulemaking of particular
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:42 Jun 15, 2005
Jkt 205001
applicability involving rates or services
applicable to public property.
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.);
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508);
and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR
part 1021), Western has determined this
action is categorically excluded from
preparing an environmental assessment
or an environmental impact statement.
Determination Under Executive Order
12866
Western has an exemption from
centralized regulatory review under
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no
clearance of this notice by the Office of
Management and Budget is required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act
Western has determined that this rule
is exempt from congressional
notification requirements under 5 U.S.C.
801 because the action is a rulemaking
of particular applicability relating to
rates or services and involves matters of
procedure.
Dated: June 8, 2005.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05–11884 Filed 6–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[OW–2003–0033, FRL–7924–8]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Modification of
Secondary Treatment Requirements
for Discharges Into Marine Waters,
EPA ICR Number 0138.08, OMB
Control Number 2040–0088
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), this document announces
that EPA is planning to submit a
continuing Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). This is
a request to renew an existing approved
collection. This ICR is scheduled to
expire on September 30, 2005. Before
submitting the ICR to OMB for review
and approval, EPA is soliciting
comments on specific aspects of the
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proposed information collection as
described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before August 15, 2005.
Submit your comments,
referencing docket ID number OW–
2003–0033, to EPA online using
EDOCKET (our preferred method), by email to OW–Docket@epa.gov, or by mail
to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, Water Docket, Mail
Code: 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Virginia Fox-Norse, Office of Wetlands,
Oceans and Watersheds: Oceans and
Coastal Protection Division (Mail Code
4504T), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number (202) 566–1266; fax number:
(202) 566–1337; e-mail address: foxnorse.virginia@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES:
EPA has
established a public docket for this ICR
under Docket ID number OW–2003–
0033, which is available for public
viewing at the Water Docket in the EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West,
Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket
Center Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and
the telephone number for the Water
docket is (202) 566–2426. An electronic
version of the public docket is available
through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at
https://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use
EDOCKET to obtain a copy of the draft
collection of information, submit or
view public comments, access the index
listing of the contents of the public
docket, and to access those documents
in the public docket that are available
electronically. Once in the system,
select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the docket
ID number identified above.
Any comments related to this ICR
should be submitted to EPA within 60
days of this notice. EPA’s policy is that
public comments, whether submitted
electronically or in paper, will be made
available for public viewing in
EDOCKET as EPA receives them and
without change, unless the comment
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or
other information whose public
disclosure is restricted by statute. When
EPA identifies a comment containing
copyrighted material, EPA will provide
a reference to that material in the
version of the comment that is placed in
EDOCKET. The entire printed comment,
including the copyrighted material, will
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35080-35082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11884]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division-Rate Order
No. WAPA-126
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed power rates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing
revised rates for Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division
(P-SMBP--ED) firm electric and firm peaking power service. Current
rates, under Rate Schedules P-SED-F7 and P-SED-FP7, extend through
December 31, 2008. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue
to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repayment of
required investment within the allowable period. Western will prepare a
brochure that provides detailed information on the rates to all
interested parties. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedules P-SED-F8
and P-SED-FP8, are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2006, and
will remain in effect through December 31, 2010. Publication of this
Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed
rates.
DATES: The consultation and comment period begins today and will end
September 14, 2005. Western will present a detailed explanation of the
proposed rates at public information forums. Public information forum
dates are:
1. July 19, 2005, 10 a.m. MDT, Denver, CO.
2. July 20, 2005, 8 a.m. CDT, Lincoln, NE.
3. July 20, 2005, 2 p.m. CDT, Sioux Falls, SD.
4. July 21, 2005, 9 a.m. CDT, Fargo, ND.
Western will accept oral and written comments at public comment
forums. Public comment forums will be held on the following dates:
1. August 16, 2005, 9 a.m. MDT, Denver, CO.
2. August 17, 2005, 9 a.m. CDT, Sioux Falls, SD.
Western will accept written comments any time during the
consultation and comment period.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Robert J. Harris, Regional Manager,
Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 2900 4th
Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, e-mail ugp_firmrate@wapa.gov.
Western will post information about the rate process on its Web site at
https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/2006FirmRateAdj. Western will post
official comments received via letter and e-mail to its Web site after
the close of the comment period. Western must receive written comments
by the end of the consultation and comment period to ensure they are
considered in Western's decision process.
Public information forum locations are:
1. Denver--Radisson Stapleton Plaza, 3333 Quebec Street, Denver,
CO.
2. Lincoln--Peru State College Center, 1111 O Street, Lincoln, NE.
3. Sioux Falls--Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center, 1211 West
Avenue North, Sioux Falls, SD.
4. Fargo--Doublewood Inn, 3333 13th Avenue South, Fargo, ND.
Public comment forum locations are:
1. Denver--Radisson Stapleton Plaza, 3333 Quebec Street, Denver,
CO.
2. Sioux Falls--Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center, 1211 West
Avenue North, Sioux Falls, SD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jon R. Horst, Rates Manager, Upper
[[Page 35081]]
Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 2900 4th Avenue
North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, telephone (406) 247-7444, e-mail
horst@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed rates for P-SMBP--ED firm electric
and firm peaking service are designed to recover an annual revenue
requirement that includes investment repayment, interest, purchase
power, operation and maintenance expense, and other expenses. The
projected annual revenue requirement for firm electric service is
allocated equally between capacity and energy.
The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate Schedules P-SED-F7 and
P-SED-FP7 for P-SMBP--ED firm electric and firm peaking service on
December 24, 2003 (Rate Order No. WAPA-110, 69 FR 649, January 6,
2004), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission)
confirmed and approved the rate schedules on December 23, 2004, under
FERC Docket No. EF04-5031-000 (109 FERC 62,234). Approval for Rate
Schedules P-SED-F7 and P-FED-FP7 covered 5 years beginning on February
1, 2004, ending on December 31, 2008.
Under Rate Schedule P-SED-F7, the second step of the composite rate
effective on October 1, 2004, is 16.51 mills per kilowatthour (mills/
kWh), the energy rate is 9.62 mills/kWh, and the capacity rate is $3.72
per kilowattmonth (kWmonth). Under Rate Schedule P-SED-F8, Western is
proposing a two-step rate adjustment. Under a two-step method, the
rates for P-SMBP--ED firm electric service will result in an overall
composite rate increase of about 11.9 percent effective January 1,
2006, an additional 5.8 percent effective January 1, 2007, with a total
compounded increase of about 18.4 percent. The proposed Firm Capacity
and Firm Peaking Capacity rates will increase about 12.9 percent
effective on January 1, 2006, an additional 6.0 percent effective
January 1, 2007, with a total compounded increase of about 19.6
percent. Proposed rates for P-SMBP--ED firm electric and firm peaking
service are listed in Table 1.
Table 1.--Two Step Proposal--Firm Electric Service Revenue Requirement and Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First step rates Percent Second step rates Percent
Firm electric service Existing rates Jan. 1, 2006 change Jan. 1, 2007 change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-SMBP-ED Revenue Requirement.. $160.1 million.... $179.4 million.... 12.1 $189.9 million... 5.9
P-SMBP-ED Composite Rate....... 16.51 mills/kWh... 18.47 mills/kWh... 11.9 19.54 mills/kWh.. 5.8
Firm Capacity.................. $3.72/kWmonth..... $4.20/kWmonth..... 12.9 $4.45/kWmonth.... 6.0
Firm Energy.................... 9.62 mills/kWh.... 10.69 mills/kWh... 11.1 11.29 mills/kWh.. 5.6
Tiered 60 Percent Load Factor.. 5.21 mills/kWh.... 5.21 mills/kWh.... 0.0 5.21 mills/kWh... 0.0
Firm Peaking Capacity.......... $3.72/kWmonth..... $4.20/kWmonth..... 12.9 $4.45/kWmonth.... 6.0
Firm Peaking Energy \1\........ 9.62 mills/kWh.... 10.69 mills/kWh... 11.1 11.29 mills/kWh.. 5.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Firm Peaking Energy is normally returned. This rate will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not
returned.
During informal information discussions, Western received requests
from the Firm Peaking customers and others to reconsider the Firm
Peaking rate design. Concern was expressed by the Firm Peaking
customers and others in informal discussions for this rate adjustment
as well as in past rate processes on assignment of costs associated
with the drought. Firm Peaking customers and others have suggested some
alternatives for consideration by Western. In response to those
suggestions, Western prepared an alternative proposal, the Firm Peaking
Capacity Design Alternative, for consideration and comment in this
public process.
Although the two-step rate adjustment in Table 1 is the option
being proposed, maintaining equity among products and rates is in
Western's interest. Therefore, Western is soliciting comments on equity
among products and comments with supporting information for or against
the Firm Peaking Capacity Design Alternative. In this alternative, the
Firm Peaking Capacity rate is 13.9 percent less than the Firm Power
Capacity rate. The impact on the Firm Power revenue requirement is
approximately a 1-percent increase. The comparative changes in the
rates between the proposed two-step rate adjustment and the Firm
Peaking Capacity Design Alternative are described here: The Firm
Capacity rate would increase from 12.9 percent to 16.1 percent in the
first step and the second step would be an additional 6.0 percent in
both proposals. The Firm Energy rate would remain the same with an
11.1-percent increase in the first step and a 5.6-percent increase in
the second step. The proposed rates provided under this alternative are
included in Table 2.
Table 2.--Proposed--Firm Peaking Capacity Design Alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First step rates Percent Second step rates Percent
Firm electric service Existing rates Jan. 1, 2006 change Jan. 1, 2007 change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-SMBP--ED Revenue Requirement. $160.1 million.... $179.4 million.... 12.1 $189.9 million... 5.9
P-SMBP--ED Composite Rate...... 16.51 mills/kWh... 18.71 mills/kWh... 13.3 19.79 mills/kWh.. 5.8
Firm Capacity.................. $3.72/kWmonth..... $4.32/kWmonth..... 16.1 $4.58/kWmonth.... 6.0
Firm Energy.................... 9.62 mills/kWh.... 10.69 mills/kWh... 11.1 11.29 mills/kWh.. 5.6
Tiered > Percent Load Factor... 5.21 mills/kWh.... 5.21 mills/kWh.... 0.0 5.21 mills/kWh... 0.0
Firm Peaking Capacity.......... $3.72/kWmonth..... $3.72/kWmonth..... 0 $3.94/kWmonth.... 5.9
Firm Peaking Energy 1.......... 9.62 mills/kWh.... 10.69 mills/kWh... 11.1 11.29 mills/kWh.. 5.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Firm Peaking Energy is normally returned. This rate will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not
returned.
[[Page 35082]]
Legal Authority
Since the proposed rates constitute a major rate adjustment as
defined by 10 CFR part 903, Western will hold both public information
forum and public comment forums. After review of public comments, and
possible amendments or adjustments, Western will recommend the Deputy
Secretary of Energy approve the proposed rates on an interim basis.
Western is establishing the firm electric service rates for P-
SMBP--ED under the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
7152); the Reclamation Act of 1902 (ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388), as amended
and supplemented by subsequent laws, particularly section 9(c) of the
Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)); and other acts
that specifically apply to the projects involved.
By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, effective December 6, 2001, the
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and
transmission rates to Western's Administrator; (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis
to the Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm,
approve, and place into effect on a final basis, to remand, or to
disapprove such rates to the Commission. Existing Department of Energy
(DOE) procedures for public participation in power rate adjustments (10
CFR part 903) were published on September 18, 1985 (50 FR 37835).
Availability of Information
All brochures, studies, comments, letters, memorandums, or other
documents that Western initiates or uses to develop the proposed rates
are available for inspection and copying at the Upper Great Plains
Regional Office, located at 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT. Many
of these documents and supporting information are also available on its
Web site under the ``2006 Firm Rate Adjustment'' section located at
https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/2006FirmRateAdj.
Regulatory Procedure Requirements
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.)
requires Federal agencies to perform a regulatory flexibility analysis
if a final rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities and there is a legal requirement
to issue a general notice of proposed rulemaking. This action does not
require a regulatory flexibility analysis since it is a rulemaking of
particular applicability involving rates or services applicable to
public property.
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR
part 1021), Western has determined this action is categorically
excluded from preparing an environmental assessment or an environmental
impact statement.
Determination Under Executive Order 12866
Western has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the
Office of Management and Budget is required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
Western has determined that this rule is exempt from congressional
notification requirements under 5 U.S.C. 801 because the action is a
rulemaking of particular applicability relating to rates or services
and involves matters of procedure.
Dated: June 8, 2005.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-11884 Filed 6-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
