Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-130, 39310-39311 [E6-10939]

Download as PDF 39310 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 12, 2006 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Fernald; Meeting Department of Energy. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Fernald. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Saturday, July 29, 2006, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. ADDRESSES: Crosby Township Senior Center, 8910 Willey Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Sarno, The Perspectives Group, Inc., 1055 North Fairfax Street, Suite 204, Alexandria, VA 22314, at (703) 837–1197, or e-mail: djsarno@theperspectivesgroup.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Tentative Agenda 8:30 a.m. Call to Order. 8:35 a.m. Chair’s Remarks and Liaison Announcements. 8:45 a.m. Closure Status Update. 9:15 a.m. Finalize Fernald Citizens’ Advisory Board (FCAB) History. 10:15 a.m. Break. 10:30 a.m. Plan/Input to Fernald Community Alliance Forum. 11:15 a.m. Identify items to include in a final FCAB recommendation for closure and transition. 11:40 a.m. Identify timing for final FCAB meeting. 11:50 a.m. Public Comment. 12 p.m. Adjourn. Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board chair either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact the Board chair at the address or telephone number listed below. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provisions will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:23 Jul 11, 2006 Jkt 208001 wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. Minutes: The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Freedom of Information Public Reading Room, 1E–190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday–Friday, except Federal holidays. Minutes will also be available by writing to the Fernald Citizens’ Advisory Board, MS–76, Post Office Box 538704, Cincinnati, OH 43253–8704, or by calling the Advisory Board at (513) 648–6478. Issued at Washington, DC on July 6, 2006. Rachel Samuel, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E6–10938 Filed 7–11–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project—Rate Order No. WAPA–130 Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Transmission Service Rates. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing adjustments to the Pacific NorthwestPacific Southwest Intertie Project (Intertie) rates for firm transmission service on the 230/345-kilovolt (kV) transmission system, firm transmission service on the 500-kV transmission system, and nonfirm transmission service on the 230/345/500-kV transmission system. The existing rates, under Rate Schedules INT–FT2, INT– FT3, and INT–NFT2, expire December 31, 2006. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay required investment within the allowable period. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the rates to all interested parties. Western expects the proposed rates to go into effect on January 1, 2007, and remain in effect through December 31, 2011. 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 October 10, 2006. Western will present a detailed explanation of the proposed PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 rates at a public information forum on August 17, 2006, at 10 a.m. MST in Phoenix, AZ. Western will accept oral and written comments at a public comment forum on August 24, 2006, at 10 a.m. MST in Phoenix, AZ. Western will accept written comments any time during the consultation and comment period. ADDRESSES: The public information forum and public comment forum will be held at the Desert Southwest Region Customer Service Office, 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, on the dates cited above. Send written comments to Mr. J. Tyler Carlson, Regional Manager, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, e-mail carlson@wapa.gov. Written comments may also be faxed to (602) 605–2490, attention: Jack Murray. Western will post information about the rate process on its Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/ dsw/pwrmkt/Intertie/RateAdjust.htm. Western will post official comments received via letter, fax, 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. As access to Western facilities is controlled, any U.S. citizen wishing to attend any meeting held at Western must present an official form of picture identification, such as a U.S. driver’s license, U.S. passport, U.S. Government ID, or U.S. Military ID, at the time of the meeting. Foreign nationals should contact Western at least 45 days in advance of the meeting to obtain the necessary form for admittance to Western. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jack Murray, Rates Team Lead, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457; (602) 605– 2442, e-mail jmurray@wapa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate Schedules INT–FT2 and INT–NFT2 on January 31, 1996 (Rate Order No. WAPA–71, 61 FR 4651, February 7, 1996), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) confirmed and approved the rate schedules on February 12, 1996, under FERC Docket No. EF96–5191–000. Rate Schedules INT–FT2 and INT–NFT2 became effective on February 1, 1996, for a 53-month period ending September 30, 2000. These rate schedules were extended through December 31, 2003, with approval of Rate Order No. WAPA–91 by the Deputy Secretary of E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 12, 2006 / Notices Energy on August 15, 2000. These rate schedules were extended again through December 31, 2006, with approval of Rate Order No. WAPA–108 by the Deputy Secretary of Energy on October 27, 2003. The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate Schedule INT–FT3 on January 28, 1999 (Rate Order No. WAPA–76, 64 FR 6344, February 9, 1999), and the Commission confirmed and approved the rate schedule on June 22, 1999, under FERC Docket No. EF99– 5191–000. Rate Schedule INT–FT3 became effective on January 1, 1999, for a 5-year period ending December 31, 2003. This rate schedule was extended through December 31, 2006, with approval of Rate Order No. WAPA–108 by the Deputy Secretary of Energy on October 27, 2003. Under Rate Schedule INT–FT2, the existing rate for Long-Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 500-kV Transmission Service is $17.23 per kilowattyear (kWyear). The proposed rate for Long-Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 500-kV Transmission Service is $21.96 per kWyear. Under Rate Schedule INT–FT3, the existing rate for Long-Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 39311 230/345-kV Transmission Service is $12.00 per kWyear. The proposed rate for Long-Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 230/345-kV Transmission Service is $15.36 per kWyear. Under Rate Schedule INT– NFT3, the existing rate for Nonfirm Point-to-Point 230/345/500-kV Transmission Service is 2.00 mills per kilowatthour (kWh). The proposed rate for Nonfirm Point-to-Point 230/345/500kV Transmission Service is 2.50 mills per kWh. The following table compares the existing and proposed rates for Intertie transmission service. COMPARISON OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRANSMISSION SERVICE RATES Transmission service Existing rates Proposed rates 230/345-kV Firm ....................................................................... 500-kV Firm .............................................................................. 230/345/500-kV Nonfirm ........................................................... $12.00 kWyear ........................ $17.23 kWyear ........................ 2.00 mills/kWh ........................ $15.36 kWyear ........................ $21.96 kWyear ........................ 2.50 mills/kWh ........................ The proposed rates are expected to become effective January 1, 2007, and remain in effect through December 31, 2011. The proposed rates are designed to recover an annual revenue requirement that includes operation and maintenance, purchase of transmission capacity, interest, other expenses, and investment repayment. The rate increase results primarily from increased operation and maintenance costs, interest expense, and repayment of capitalized expenses. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with 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 transmission service rates for the Intertie 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 project 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:23 Jul 11, 2006 Jkt 208001 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 and transmission 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 Desert Southwest Customer Service Regional Office, Western Area Power Administration, located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Many of these documents and supporting information are also available on Western’s Web site at: https:// www.wapa.gov/dsw/pwrmkt/Intertie/ RateAdjust.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 is a rulemaking of particular PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Percent change 28.0 27.5 25.0 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.); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); and DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (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 28, 2006. Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–10939 Filed 7–11–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM 12JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39310-39311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10939]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project--Rate Order 
No. WAPA-130

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Transmission Service Rates.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing 
adjustments to the Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project 
(Intertie) rates for firm transmission service on the 230/345-kilovolt 
(kV) transmission system, firm transmission service on the 500-kV 
transmission system, and nonfirm transmission service on the 230/345/
500-kV transmission system. The existing rates, under Rate Schedules 
INT-FT2, INT-FT3, and INT-NFT2, expire December 31, 2006. The proposed 
rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, 
including interest expense, and repay required investment within the 
allowable period. Western will prepare a brochure that provides 
detailed information on the rates to all interested parties. Western 
expects the proposed rates to go into effect on January 1, 2007, and 
remain in effect through December 31, 2011. 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 
October 10, 2006. Western will present a detailed explanation of the 
proposed rates at a public information forum on August 17, 2006, at 10 
a.m. MST in Phoenix, AZ. Western will accept oral and written comments 
at a public comment forum on August 24, 2006, at 10 a.m. MST in 
Phoenix, AZ. Western will accept written comments any time during the 
consultation and comment period.

ADDRESSES: The public information forum and public comment forum will 
be held at the Desert Southwest Region Customer Service Office, 615 
South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, on the dates cited above. Send written 
comments to Mr. J. Tyler Carlson, Regional Manager, Desert Southwest 
Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 
85005-6457, e-mail carlson@wapa.gov. Written comments may also be faxed 
to (602) 605-2490, attention: Jack Murray. Western will post 
information about the rate process on its Web site at https://
www.wapa.gov/dsw/pwrmkt/Intertie/RateAdjust.htm. Western will post 
official comments received via letter, fax, 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.
    As access to Western facilities is controlled, any U.S. citizen 
wishing to attend any meeting held at Western must present an official 
form of picture identification, such as a U.S. driver's license, U.S. 
passport, U.S. Government ID, or U.S. Military ID, at the time of the 
meeting. Foreign nationals should contact Western at least 45 days in 
advance of the meeting to obtain the necessary form for admittance to 
Western.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jack Murray, Rates Team Lead, 
Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 
6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457; (602) 605-2442, e-mail jmurray@wapa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate 
Schedules INT-FT2 and INT-NFT2 on January 31, 1996 (Rate Order No. 
WAPA-71, 61 FR 4651, February 7, 1996), and the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (Commission) confirmed and approved the rate 
schedules on February 12, 1996, under FERC Docket No. EF96-5191-000. 
Rate Schedules INT-FT2 and INT-NFT2 became effective on February 1, 
1996, for a 53-month period ending September 30, 2000. These rate 
schedules were extended through December 31, 2003, with approval of 
Rate Order No. WAPA-91 by the Deputy Secretary of

[[Page 39311]]

Energy on August 15, 2000. These rate schedules were extended again 
through December 31, 2006, with approval of Rate Order No. WAPA-108 by 
the Deputy Secretary of Energy on October 27, 2003.
    The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate Schedule INT-FT3 on 
January 28, 1999 (Rate Order No. WAPA-76, 64 FR 6344, February 9, 
1999), and the Commission confirmed and approved the rate schedule on 
June 22, 1999, under FERC Docket No. EF99-5191-000. Rate Schedule INT-
FT3 became effective on January 1, 1999, for a 5-year period ending 
December 31, 2003. This rate schedule was extended through December 31, 
2006, with approval of Rate Order No. WAPA-108 by the Deputy Secretary 
of Energy on October 27, 2003.
    Under Rate Schedule INT-FT2, the existing rate for Long-Term Firm 
and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 500-kV Transmission Service is 
$17.23 per kilowattyear (kWyear). The proposed rate for Long-Term Firm 
and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 500-kV Transmission Service is 
$21.96 per kWyear. Under Rate Schedule INT-FT3, the existing rate for 
Long-Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 230/345-kV 
Transmission Service is $12.00 per kWyear. The proposed rate for Long-
Term Firm and Short-Term Firm Point-to-Point 230/345-kV Transmission 
Service is $15.36 per kWyear. Under Rate Schedule INT-NFT3, the 
existing rate for Nonfirm Point-to-Point 230/345/500-kV Transmission 
Service is 2.00 mills per kilowatthour (kWh). The proposed rate for 
Nonfirm Point-to-Point 230/345/500-kV Transmission Service is 2.50 
mills per kWh. The following table compares the existing and proposed 
rates for Intertie transmission service.

                         Comparison of Existing and Proposed Transmission Service Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Transmission service                  Existing rates              Proposed rates        Percent change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
230/345-kV Firm.........................  $12.00 kWyear.............  $15.36 kWyear.............            28.0
500-kV Firm.............................  $17.23 kWyear.............  $21.96 kWyear.............            27.5
230/345/500-kV Nonfirm..................  2.00 mills/kWh............  2.50 mills/kWh............            25.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rates are expected to become effective January 1, 
2007, and remain in effect through December 31, 2011. The proposed 
rates are designed to recover an annual revenue requirement that 
includes operation and maintenance, purchase of transmission capacity, 
interest, other expenses, and investment repayment. The rate increase 
results primarily from increased operation and maintenance costs, 
interest expense, and repayment of capitalized expenses.

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 transmission service rates for the Intertie 
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 project 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 and transmission 
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 Desert Southwest 
Customer Service Regional Office, Western Area Power Administration, 
located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Many of these documents 
and supporting information are also available on Western's Web site at: 
https://www.wapa.gov/dsw/pwrmkt/Intertie/RateAdjust.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 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.); the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE 
NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (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 28, 2006.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-10939 Filed 7-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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