Robert D. Willis Hydropower Rate Schedules, 1530-1531 [E6-123]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 6 / Tuesday, January 10, 2006 / Notices
The Commission will then be in a
position to inform the Bankruptcy
Court, as necessary, of the impact on the
public interest of a potential rejection of
the Calpine 2 Contract, or take such
other action as may be appropriate
under the circumstances.12
15. Finally, consistent with the due
date established above for intervenors to
submit responses to the California State
Parties’ amended filing, interventions
shall be due on or before 15 days after
the California State Parties submit their
amended filing.13
The Commission orders:
(A) The California State Parties are
hereby directed to amend their
December 19, 2005 filing within 15 days
of the date of this order, as discussed in
the body of this order.
(B) Interventions and responses to the
California State Parties’ amended filing
will be due within 15 days after the
California State Parties submit their
amended filing, as discussed in the
body of this order.
(C) The California ISO is hereby
directed to file a response to the
California State Parties’ amended filing
within 15 days after the California State
Parties submit their amended filing, as
discussed in the body of this order.
(D) The December 22, 2005 notice of
filing in Docket No. EL06–30–000 is
hereby superseded by the comment
procedures established in Ordering
Paragraphs (A)–(C).
(E) The Secretary shall promptly
publish this order in the Federal
Register.
By the Commission.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6–87 Filed 1–9–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration
Robert D. Willis Hydropower Rate
Schedules
Southwestern Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of rate order.
AGENCY:
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Delegation Order
Nos. 00–037.00, effective December 6,
12 In the Mirant case, the 5th Circuit ‘‘presume[d]
that the district court would * * * welcome FERC’s
participation’’ and that ‘‘FERC will be able to assist
the court in balancing the equities.’’ Id.
13 On December 22, 2005, the Commission issued
a notice of the California State Parties’ filing, with
interventions and protests due on or before January
19, 2006. However, the January 19 comment date
established by that notice is superseded by the
comment procedures established in this order.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:09 Jan 09, 2006
Jkt 208001
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–55,
which increases the power rate for the
Robert Douglas Willis Hydropower
Project (Willis) pursuant to the
following Willis Rate Schedule:
Rate Schedule RDW–05, Wholesale Rates for
Hydro Power and Energy Sold to Sam
Rayburn Municipal Power Agency
(Contract No. DE–PM75–85SW00117).
The effective period for the rate
schedule specified in Rate Order No.
SWPA–55 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
Robert D. Willis project is $452,952 per
year. The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission approved this rate on a
final basis on June 24, 2004, for the
period November 1, 2003, through
September 30, 2007. The 2005 Willis
Power Repayment Studies indicate the
need for an increase in the annual rate
by $195,144 or 43.1 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 51033), of a 60day 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 October 28, 2005. One
comment was received from Gillis &
Angley, Counsellors at Law, on behalf of
Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency
and the Vinton Public Power Authority,
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
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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–55, on an interim basis, which
increases the existing Robert D. Willis
rate to $648,096, 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 Robert D. Willis
Hydropower 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
Dam B (Town Bluff Dam), located on
the Neches River in eastern Texas
downstream from the Sam Rayburn
Dam, was originally constructed in 1951
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) and provides streamflow
regulation of releases from the Sam
Rayburn Dam. The Lower Neches Valley
Authority contributed funds toward
construction of both projects and makes
established annual payments for the
right to withdraw up to 2000 cubic feet
of water per second from Town Bluff
Dam for its own use. Power was
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
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
Frm 00026
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
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1530-1531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-123]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration
Robert D. Willis Hydropower Rate Schedules
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-55, which increases the power rate for the Robert
Douglas Willis Hydropower Project (Willis) pursuant to the following
Willis Rate Schedule:
Rate Schedule RDW-05, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy
Sold to Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency (Contract No. DE-PM75-
85SW00117).
The effective period for the rate schedule specified in Rate Order No.
SWPA-55 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 Robert D. Willis project is $452,952 per year. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission approved this rate on a final basis on June 24,
2004, for the period November 1, 2003, through September 30, 2007. The
2005 Willis Power Repayment Studies indicate the need for an increase
in the annual rate by $195,144 or 43.1 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 51033), of a 60-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 October 28, 2005. One comment was received from
Gillis & Angley, Counsellors at Law, on behalf of Sam Rayburn Municipal
Power Agency and the Vinton Public Power Authority, 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-55, on an interim basis,
which increases the existing Robert D. Willis rate to $648,096, 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 Robert D. Willis
Hydropower 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
Dam B (Town Bluff Dam), located on the Neches River in eastern
Texas downstream from the Sam Rayburn Dam, was originally constructed
in 1951 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and provides
streamflow regulation of releases from the Sam Rayburn Dam. The Lower
Neches Valley Authority contributed funds toward construction of both
projects and makes established annual payments for the right to
withdraw up to 2000 cubic feet of water per second from Town Bluff Dam
for its own use. Power was
[[Page 1531]]
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
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.
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 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 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
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.
Dated: December 23, 2005.
Clay Sell,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-123 Filed 1-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
