Sam Rayburn Dam Power Rate Schedule, 1531-1533 [E6-108]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
legislatively authorized at the project,
but installation of hydroelectric
facilities was deferred until justified by
economic conditions. A determination
of feasibility was made in a 1982 Corps
study. In 1983, the Sam Rayburn
Municipal Power Agency (SRMPA)
proposed to sponsor and finance the
development at Town Bluff Dam in
return for the output of the project to be
delivered to its member municipalities
and participating member cooperatives
of the Sam Rayburn Dam Electric
Cooperative. Since the hydroelectric
facilities at the Town Bluff Dam have
been completed, the facilities have been
renamed the Robert Douglas Willis
Hydropower Project (Willis).
The Willis rate is unique in that it
excludes the costs associated with the
hydropower design and construction
performed by the Corps, because all
funds for these costs were provided by
SRMPA. Under the Southwestern/
SRMPA power sales Contract No. DE–
PM75–85SW00117, SRMPA will
continue to pay all annual operating and
marketing costs, as well as expected
capital replacement costs, through the
rate paid to Southwestern, and will
receive all power and energy produced
at the project for a period of 50 years.
In the FERC Docket No. EF04–4081–
000, issued June 24, 2004, for the period
November 1, 2003, through September
30, 2007, the FERC confirmed and
approved the current annual Willis rate
of $452,952.
Discussion
Southwestern’s 2005 Current Power
Repayment Study (PRS) indicates that
the existing annual power rate of
$452,952 does not represent the lowest
possible rate needed to meet cost
recovery criteria. The increased revenue
requirement is due to an increase in the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
projected future replacement investment
and future operations and maintenance
expense estimates. The Revised PRS
indicates that an increase in annual
revenues of $195,144 beginning January
1, 2006, is sufficient to accomplish
repayment of the Federal investment in
the required number of years.
Accordingly, Southwestern developed a
proposed rate schedule based on that
increased revenue requirement.
Title 10, Part 903, Subpart A of the
Code of Federal Regulations,
‘‘Procedures for Public Participation in
Power and Transmission Rate
Adjustment,’’ has been followed in
connection with the proposed rate
adjustment. More specifically,
opportunities for public review and
comment during a 60-day period on the
proposed Willis power rate were
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:09 Jan 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
1531
announced by a Federal Register (70 FR
51033) notice published on August 29,
2005. A Public Information Forum was
scheduled to be held September 13,
2005, and a Public Comment Forum was
scheduled for October 13, 2005, both in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both forums were
canceled as no one expressed an intent
to participate. Written comments were
due by October 28, 2005. Southwestern
provided the Federal Register notice,
together with requested supporting data,
to the customer and interested parties
for review and comment during the
formal period of public participation. In
addition, prior to the formal 60-day
public participation process,
Southwestern discussed with the
customer representatives the
preliminary information on the
proposed rate adjustment. Only one
formal comment was received during
the public process. That comment, on
behalf of SRMPA and the Vinton Public
Power Authority, expressed no
objection to the final proposed rate.
Upon conclusion of the comment period
in October 2005, Southwestern finalized
the PRS and rate schedule for the
proposed annual rate of $648,096 which
is the lowest possible rate needed to
satisfy repayment criteria. This rate
represents an annual increase of 43.1
percent.
consistent with applicable law and the
lowest possible rate consistent with
sound business principles.
Availability of Information
Information regarding this rate
increase, including studies and other
supporting material, is available for
public review and comment in the
offices of Southwestern Power
Administration, One West Third Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6–123 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am]
Comments and Responses
Southwestern received one written
comment in which the customer
representative expressed no objection to
the proposed rate adjustment.
Southwestern Power Administration
Other Issues
There were no other issues raised
during the informal meeting or during
the formal public participation period.
Administrator’s Certification
The 2005 Revised Willis PRS
indicates that the annual power rate of
$648,096 will repay all costs of the
project, including amortization of the
power investment consistent with
provisions of the Department of Energy
(DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2. In
accordance with Delegation Order Nos.
00–037.00 (December 6, 2001) and 00–
001.00A (September 17, 2002), and
Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of
1944, the Administrator has determined
that the proposed Willis power rate is
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Environment
The environmental impact of the rate
increase proposal was evaluated in
consideration of DOE’s guidelines for
implementing the procedural provisions
of the National Environmental Policy
Act, 10 CFR part 1021, and was
determined to fall within the class of
actions that are categorically excluded
from the requirements of preparing
either an Environmental Impact
Statement or an Environmental
Assessment.
Order
In view of the foregoing and pursuant
to the authority delegated to me, I
hereby confirm, approve and place in
effect on an interim basis, for the period
January 1, 2006, through September 30,
2009, the annual Robert D. Willis Rate
of $648,096 for the sale of power and
energy from Robert D. Willis project to
the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power
Agency, under Contract No. DE–PM75–
85SW00117, as amended. This rate shall
remain in effect on an interim basis
through September 30, 2009, or until the
FERC confirms and approves the rate on
a final basis.
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Sam Rayburn Dam Power Rate
Schedule
Southwestern Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Rate Order.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Delegation Order
Nos. 00–037.00, effective December 6,
2001, and 00–001.00B, effective July 28,
2005, the Deputy Secretary has
approved and placed into effect on an
interim basis Rate Order No. SWPA–54,
which increases the power rate for the
Sam Rayburn Dam Project (Rayburn)
pursuant to the following Sam Rayburn
Dam Rate Schedule:
Rate Schedule SRD–05, Wholesale Rates for
Hydropower and Energy Sold to Sam
Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc.
(Contract No. DE–PM75–92SW00215)
The effective period for the rate
schedule specified in Rate Order No.
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
1532
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices
SWPA–54 is January 1, 2006, through
September 30, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Corporate
Operations, Southwestern Power
Administration, Department of Energy,
One West Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma
74103, (918) 595–6696,
gene.reeves@swpa.gov.
The
existing hydroelectric power rate for the
Rayburn is $2,513,700 per year. The
Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed,
approved and placed in effect on an
interim basis this rate on November 16,
2004, for the period January 1, 2005,
through September 30, 2008. This rate
has not yet been approved on a final
basis by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC). The 2005 Rayburn
Power Repayment Studies indicates the
need for an increase in the annual rate
by $300,364 or 12 percent beginning
January 1, 2006.
The Administrator, Southwestern
Power Administration (Southwestern)
has followed Title 10, Part 903 Subpart
A, of the Code of Federal Regulations,
‘‘Procedures for Public Participation in
Power and Transmission Rate
Adjustments and Extensions’’ (Part 903)
in connection with the proposed rate
schedule. On August 29, 2005,
Southwestern published notice in the
Federal Register (70 FR 51034), of a 90day comment period, together with a
Public Information Forum and a Public
Comment Forum, to provide an
opportunity for customers and other
interested members of the public to
review and comment on a proposed rate
increase for the Willis project. Both
public forums were canceled when no
one expressed an intention to
participate. Written comments were
accepted through November 28, 2005.
One comment was received from Gillis
& Angley, Counsellors at Law, on behalf
of Sam Rayburn Municipal Power
Authority (an entity of Sam Rayburn
Dam Electric Cooperative), which stated
that they had no objection to the
proposed rate adjustment.
Information regarding this rate
proposal, including studies and other
supporting material, is available for
public review and comment in the
offices of Southwestern Power
Administration, One West Third Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
Following review of Southwestern’s
proposal within the Department of
Energy, I approved Rate Order No.
SWPA–54, on an interim basis, which
increases the existing Sam Rayburn rate
to $2,816,064, per year, for the period
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:09 Jan 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
January 1, 2006, through September 30,
2009.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
In the Matter of: Southwestern Power
Administration, Sam Rayburn Dam
Project Rate; Order Confirming,
Approving and Placing Increased
Power Rate Schedule in Effect on an
Interim Basis
Pursuant to Sections 302(a) and
301(b) of the Department of Energy
Organization Act, Public Law 95–91, the
functions of the Secretary of the Interior
and the Federal Power Commission
under Section 5 of the Flood Control
Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to
the Southwestern Power Administration
(Southwestern) were transferred to and
vested in the Secretary of Energy. By
Delegation Order No. 0204–108,
effective December 14, 1983, the
Secretary of Energy delegated to the
Administrator of Southwestern the
authority to develop power and
transmission rates, delegated to the
Deputy Secretary of the Department of
Energy the authority to confirm,
approve, and place in effect such rates
on an interim basis and delegated to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) the authority to confirm and
approve on a final basis or to disapprove
rates developed by the Administrator
under the delegation. Delegation Order
No. 0204–108, as amended, was
rescinded and subsequently replaced by
Delegation Orders 00–037.00 (December
6, 2001) and 00–001–00B (July 28,
2005). The Deputy Secretary issued this
rate order pursuant to said delegations.
Background
The Sam Rayburn Dam Project
(Rayburn) is located on the Angelina
River in the State of Texas in the Neches
River Basin. Since the beginning of its
operation in 1965, it has been marketed
as an isolated project, under contract
with Sam Rayburn Dam Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (SRDEC) (Contract No.
DE–PM75–92SW00215). SRDEC is
comprised of two separate entities, the
Sam Rayburn G&T, and the Sam
Rayburn Municipal Power Agency.
This rate supersedes the annual rate
of $2,513,700 which was confirmed,
approved and placed in effect on an
interim basis by the Deputy Secretary of
Energy on November 16, 2004, for the
period January 1, 2005, through
September 30, 2008. This rate has not
yet been approved on a final basis by
the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC).
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Discussion
Southwestern’s 2005 Current Power
Repayment Study (PRS) indicates that
the existing annual power rate of
$2,513,700 does not represent the
lowest possible rate needed to meet cost
recovery criteria. The increased revenue
requirement is due to an increase in the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
projected future replacement investment
and future operations and maintenance
expense estimates. The Revised PRS
indicates that an increase in annual
revenues of $302,364 beginning January
1, 2006, is sufficient to accomplish
repayment of the Federal investment in
the required number of years.
Accordingly, Southwestern developed a
proposed rate schedule based on that
increased revenue requirement.
Title 10, Part 903, Subpart A of the
Code of Federal Regulations,
‘‘Procedures for Public Participation in
Power and Transmission Rate
Adjustment,’’ has been followed in
connection with the proposed rate
adjustment. More specifically,
opportunities for public review and
comment during a 90-day period on the
proposed Rayburn power rate were
announced by a Federal Register (70 FR
51034) notice published on August 29,
2005. A Public Information Forum was
scheduled to be held September 13,
2005, and a Public Comment Forum was
scheduled for October 13, 2005, both in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both forums were
canceled as no one expressed an intent
to participate. Written comments were
due by November 28, 2005.
Southwestern provided the Federal
Register notice, together with requested
supporting data, to the customer and
interested parties for review and
comment during the formal period of
public participation. In addition, prior
to the formal 90-day public
participation process, Southwestern
discussed with the customer
representatives the preliminary
information on the proposed rate
adjustment. Only one formal comment
was received from Gillis & Angley,
Counsellors at Law, on behalf of Sam
Rayburn Municipal Power Agency (an
entity of Sam Rayburn Dam Electric
Cooperative, Inc.), which stated that
they had no objection to the proposed
rate adjustment.
Upon conclusion of the comment
period in November 2005, Southwestern
finalized the PRS and rate schedule for
the proposed annual rate of $2,816,064,
which is the lowest possible rate needed
to satisfy repayment criteria. This rate
represents an annual increase of 12
percent.
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices
Availability of Information
Information regarding this rate
increase, including studies and other
supporting material, is available for
public review and comment in the
offices of Southwestern Power
Administration, One West Third Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6–108 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Comments and Responses
Western Area Power Administration
Southwestern received one written
comment in which the customer
representative expressed no objection to
the proposed rate adjustment.
Central Arizona Project—Rate Order
No. WAPA–124
Other Issues
There were no other issues raised
during the informal period or during the
formal public participation period.
Administrator’s Certification
The 2005 Revised Rayburn PRS
indicates that the annual power rate of
$2,816,064 will repay all costs of the
project, including amortization of the
power investment consistent with
provisions of the Department of Energy
(DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2. In
accordance with Delegation Order Nos.
00–037.00 (December 6, 2001) and 00–
001.00B (July 28, 2005), and Section 5
of the Flood Control Act of 1944, the
Administrator has determined that the
proposed Rayburn power rate is
consistent with applicable law and the
lowest possible rate consistent with
sound business principles.
Environment
The environmental impact of the rate
increase proposal was evaluated in
consideration of DOE’s guidelines for
implementing the procedural provisions
of the National Environmental Policy
Act, 10 CFR 1021, and was determined
to fall within the class of actions that are
categorically excluded from the
requirements of preparing either an
Environmental Impact Statement or an
Environmental Assessment.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Order
In view of the foregoing and pursuant
to the authority delegated to me, I
hereby confirm, approve and place in
effect on an interim basis, for the period
January 1, 2006, through September 30,
2009, the annual Sam Rayburn Dam
Rate of $2,816,064 for the sale of power
and energy from Sam Rayburn Dam to
the Sam Rayburn Electric Cooperative,
Inc., under Contract No. DE–PM75–
92SW00215, dated October 7, 1992.
This rate shall remain in effect on an
interim basis through September 30,
2009, or until the FERC confirms and
approves the rate on a final basis.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:09 Jan 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of order concerning
transmission service rates.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Deputy Secretary of
Energy confirmed and approved Rate
Order No. WAPA–124 and Rate
Schedules CAP–FT2, CAP–NFT2, and
CAP–NITS2, placing transmission rates
from the Central Arizona Project (CAP)
of the Western Area Power
Administration (Western) into effect on
an interim basis. The provisional rates
will be in effect until the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
confirms, approves, and places them
into effect on a final basis or until they
are replaced by other rates. The
provisional rates will provide sufficient
revenue to pay all annual costs,
including interest expense, and
repayment of power investment, within
the allowable periods.
DATES: Rate Schedules CAP–FT2, CAP–
NFT2, and CAP–NITS2 will be placed
into effect on an interim basis on the
first day of the first full billing period
beginning on or after January 1, 2006,
and will be in effect until the
Commission confirms, approves, and
places the rate schedules in effect on a
final basis through December 31, 2010,
or until the rate schedules are
superseded.
Mr.
J. Tyler Carlson, Regional Manager,
Desert Southwest Customer Service
Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 6457,
Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, (602) 605–
7348, e-mail carlson@wapa.gov, or Mr.
Jack D. Murray, Rates Team Lead, Desert
Southwest Customer Service Region,
Western Area Power Administration,
P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005–
6457, (602) 605–2442, e-mail
jmurray@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
Deputy Secretary of Energy approved
Rate Schedules CAP–FT1, CAP–NFT1,
and CAP–NITS1 for transmission
service on December 11, 2000 (Rate
Order No. WAPA–88, 65 FR 77368,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1533
December 11, 2000). The Commission
confirmed and approved the rate
schedules on July 31, 2001, in FERC
Docket No. EF01–5111–000. The
existing rate schedules CAP–FT1, CAP–
NFT1, and CAP–NITS1 are effective
from January 1, 2001, through December
31, 2005.
The existing rate schedules are being
superseded by rate schedules CAP–FT2,
CAP–NFT2, and CAP–NITS2. The
provisional formula rates for point-topoint transmission service and Network
Integration Transmission Service (NITS)
on the CAP 115kV and 230–kV
transmission lines are based on the
calculation of a revenue requirement
that recovers the CAP 115kV and 230–
kV transmission lines costs for facilities
associated with providing transmission
service and the non-facilities costs
allocated to transmission service. These
rate formulas include costs for
scheduling, system control, and
dispatch service. The provisional rates
for point-to-point transmission service
on the CAP 115–kV/230–kV
transmission system are determined by
combining the average annual
amortization costs with the average
annual operations and maintenance
costs, and dividing them by the average
annual contract rate of delivery for the
5-year period FY 2006–FY 2010.
The revised formula rates reflect a
2.87-percent decrease for 2006 when
compared to the existing CAP
transmission rates, which expire
December 31, 2005. The decrease in the
firm point-to-point rate is the result of
increased transmission reservations
combined with relatively stable
expenses since the approval of Rate
Order WAPA–88. Implementation of the
revised formula rates will result in a
firm transmission service rate of $9.55
per kilowattyear for 2006.
NITS allows a transmission customer
to integrate, plan, economically
dispatch, and regulate its network
resources to serve its native load in a
way comparable to how a transmission
provider uses its own transmission
system to service its native load
customers. The monthly charge
methodology for NITS on the CAP 115–
kV and 230–kV transmission lines is the
product of the transmission customer’s
load-ratio share times one-twelfth of the
annual transmission revenue
requirement. The customer’s load-ratio
share is calculated on a rolling 12month basis. The customer’s load-ratio
share is equal to that customer’s hourly
load coincident with the CAP 115–kV
and 230–kV transmission lines monthly
transmission system peak divided by
the resultant value of the CAP 115–kV
and 230–kV transmission lines monthly
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1531-1533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-108]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration
Sam Rayburn Dam Power Rate Schedule
AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Rate Order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Delegation Order Nos. 00-037.00, effective
December 6, 2001, and 00-001.00B, effective July 28, 2005, the Deputy
Secretary has approved and placed into effect on an interim basis Rate
Order No. SWPA-54, which increases the power rate for the Sam Rayburn
Dam Project (Rayburn) pursuant to the following Sam Rayburn Dam Rate
Schedule:
Rate Schedule SRD-05, Wholesale Rates for Hydropower and Energy Sold
to Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Contract No. DE-PM75-
92SW00215)
The effective period for the rate schedule specified in Rate Order No.
[[Page 1532]]
SWPA-54 is January 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant
Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power
Administration, Department of Energy, One West Third Street, Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74103, (918) 595-6696, gene.reeves@swpa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing hydroelectric power rate for
the Rayburn is $2,513,700 per year. The Deputy Secretary of Energy
confirmed, approved and placed in effect on an interim basis this rate
on November 16, 2004, for the period January 1, 2005, through September
30, 2008. This rate has not yet been approved on a final basis by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The 2005 Rayburn Power
Repayment Studies indicates the need for an increase in the annual rate
by $300,364 or 12 percent beginning January 1, 2006.
The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern)
has followed Title 10, Part 903 Subpart A, of the Code of Federal
Regulations, ``Procedures for Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions'' (Part 903) in connection
with the proposed rate schedule. On August 29, 2005, Southwestern
published notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 51034), of a 90-day
comment period, together with a Public Information Forum and a Public
Comment Forum, to provide an opportunity for customers and other
interested members of the public to review and comment on a proposed
rate increase for the Willis project. Both public forums were canceled
when no one expressed an intention to participate. Written comments
were accepted through November 28, 2005. One comment was received from
Gillis & Angley, Counsellors at Law, on behalf of Sam Rayburn Municipal
Power Authority (an entity of Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative),
which stated that they had no objection to the proposed rate
adjustment.
Information regarding this rate proposal, including studies and
other supporting material, is available for public review and comment
in the offices of Southwestern Power Administration, One West Third
Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
Following review of Southwestern's proposal within the Department
of Energy, I approved Rate Order No. SWPA-54, on an interim basis,
which increases the existing Sam Rayburn rate to $2,816,064, per year,
for the period January 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
In the Matter of: Southwestern Power Administration, Sam Rayburn Dam
Project Rate; Order Confirming, Approving and Placing Increased Power
Rate Schedule in Effect on an Interim Basis
Pursuant to Sections 302(a) and 301(b) of the Department of Energy
Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, the functions of the Secretary of
the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under Section 5 of the
Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to the Southwestern
Power Administration (Southwestern) were transferred to and vested in
the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. 0204-108, effective
December 14, 1983, the Secretary of Energy delegated to the
Administrator of Southwestern the authority to develop power and
transmission rates, delegated to the Deputy Secretary of the Department
of Energy the authority to confirm, approve, and place in effect such
rates on an interim basis and delegated to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to confirm and approve on a
final basis or to disapprove rates developed by the Administrator under
the delegation. Delegation Order No. 0204-108, as amended, was
rescinded and subsequently replaced by Delegation Orders 00-037.00
(December 6, 2001) and 00-001-00B (July 28, 2005). The Deputy Secretary
issued this rate order pursuant to said delegations.
Background
The Sam Rayburn Dam Project (Rayburn) is located on the Angelina
River in the State of Texas in the Neches River Basin. Since the
beginning of its operation in 1965, it has been marketed as an isolated
project, under contract with Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc.
(SRDEC) (Contract No. DE-PM75-92SW00215). SRDEC is comprised of two
separate entities, the Sam Rayburn G&T, and the Sam Rayburn Municipal
Power Agency.
This rate supersedes the annual rate of $2,513,700 which was
confirmed, approved and placed in effect on an interim basis by the
Deputy Secretary of Energy on November 16, 2004, for the period January
1, 2005, through September 30, 2008. This rate has not yet been
approved on a final basis by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC).
Discussion
Southwestern's 2005 Current Power Repayment Study (PRS) indicates
that the existing annual power rate of $2,513,700 does not represent
the lowest possible rate needed to meet cost recovery criteria. The
increased revenue requirement is due to an increase in the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (Corps) projected future replacement investment and
future operations and maintenance expense estimates. The Revised PRS
indicates that an increase in annual revenues of $302,364 beginning
January 1, 2006, is sufficient to accomplish repayment of the Federal
investment in the required number of years. Accordingly, Southwestern
developed a proposed rate schedule based on that increased revenue
requirement.
Title 10, Part 903, Subpart A of the Code of Federal Regulations,
``Procedures for Public Participation in Power and Transmission Rate
Adjustment,'' has been followed in connection with the proposed rate
adjustment. More specifically, opportunities for public review and
comment during a 90-day period on the proposed Rayburn power rate were
announced by a Federal Register (70 FR 51034) notice published on
August 29, 2005. A Public Information Forum was scheduled to be held
September 13, 2005, and a Public Comment Forum was scheduled for
October 13, 2005, both in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Both forums were canceled as
no one expressed an intent to participate. Written comments were due by
November 28, 2005. Southwestern provided the Federal Register notice,
together with requested supporting data, to the customer and interested
parties for review and comment during the formal period of public
participation. In addition, prior to the formal 90-day public
participation process, Southwestern discussed with the customer
representatives the preliminary information on the proposed rate
adjustment. Only one formal comment was received from Gillis & Angley,
Counsellors at Law, on behalf of Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency (an
entity of Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc.), which stated
that they had no objection to the proposed rate adjustment.
Upon conclusion of the comment period in November 2005,
Southwestern finalized the PRS and rate schedule for the proposed
annual rate of $2,816,064, which is the lowest possible rate needed to
satisfy repayment criteria. This rate represents an annual increase of
12 percent.
[[Page 1533]]
Availability of Information
Information regarding this rate increase, including studies and
other supporting material, is available for public review and comment
in the offices of Southwestern Power Administration, One West Third
Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
Comments and Responses
Southwestern received one written comment in which the customer
representative expressed no objection to the proposed rate adjustment.
Other Issues
There were no other issues raised during the informal period or
during the formal public participation period.
Administrator's Certification
The 2005 Revised Rayburn PRS indicates that the annual power rate
of $2,816,064 will repay all costs of the project, including
amortization of the power investment consistent with provisions of the
Department of Energy (DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2. In accordance with
Delegation Order Nos. 00-037.00 (December 6, 2001) and 00-001.00B (July
28, 2005), and Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, the
Administrator has determined that the proposed Rayburn power rate is
consistent with applicable law and the lowest possible rate consistent
with sound business principles.
Environment
The environmental impact of the rate increase proposal was
evaluated in consideration of DOE's guidelines for implementing the
procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, 10 CFR
1021, and was determined to fall within the class of actions that are
categorically excluded from the requirements of preparing either an
Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment.
Order
In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated to
me, I hereby confirm, approve and place in effect on an interim basis,
for the period January 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009, the annual
Sam Rayburn Dam Rate of $2,816,064 for the sale of power and energy
from Sam Rayburn Dam to the Sam Rayburn Electric Cooperative, Inc.,
under Contract No. DE-PM75-92SW00215, dated October 7, 1992.
This rate shall remain in effect on an interim basis through
September 30, 2009, or until the FERC confirms and approves the rate on
a final basis.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-108 Filed 1-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
