Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division-Rate Order No. WAPA-166, 46434-46436 [2014-18788]
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<![CDATA[
46434
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 153 / Friday, August 8, 2014 / Notices
Amount of Peak Load Already Served
by Federal Hydropower
Ak-Chin Indian Community;
Central Arizona Irrigation & Drainage
District;
City of Maricopa, Arizona;
City of Mesa, Arizona;
City of Mesquite, Nevada;
City of Needles, California;
City of Page, Arizona Water Utility;
City of Williams, Arizona;
Colorado River Indian Tribes;
Fort Mohave Indian Tribe;
Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage District;
Hyder Valley Irrigation & Water
Delivery District;
Maricopa-Standfield Irrigation &
Drainage District;
Moapa Band of Paiutes;
Moapa Valley Water District;
Mt. Wheeler Power Inc.;
New Magma Irrigation & Drainage
District;
Nye County, Nevada;
Paloma Irrigation & Drainage District;
San Carlos Apache Tribe;
State of Nevada Department of Veterans
Sevices;
Town of Fredonia, Arizona;
Town of Gilbert, Arizona;
Virgin Valley Water District;
White Mountain Apache Tribe.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Potential Allocation Does Not Meet 100
kW Minimum
Arizona Rural Irrigation District Pooling
Parties;
Avra Water Co-op, Inc.;
Board of Regents, Nevada State College;
City of Sedona, Arizona;
City of Sierra Vista, Arizona;
Desert Research Institute;
Division of Museums & History, Lost
City Museum;
Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay
Indians;
Grover’s Hill Irrigation District;
Havasupai Tribe;
Henderson District Public Libraries;
Mohave Valley Irrigation & Dainage
District;
State of Nevada Department of
Administration;
State of Nevada Department of
Employment;
State of Nevada Department of Health &
Human Services;
State of Nevada Department of
Transportation;
State of Nevada Division of State Parks
& Division of Forestry;
State of Nevada, Office of the Military;
Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Two applicants did not provide
sufficient historical load information to
receive further consideration for an
allocation and three applicants did not
meet the general eligibility
VerDate Mar<15>2010
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Jkt 232001
requirements. The Red Rock
Agricultural Improvement and Power
District Irrigation Water Delivery
District of Pinal County, and the Pauma
Band of Mission Indians failed to
submit suitable historical load
information for consideration in their
application. The Silverbell Irrigation
and Drainage District is a direct allottee
of the APA for BCP power and therefore
is not considered a new allottee eligible
for Schedule D. The San Carlos
Irrigation Project and the Department of
Energy National Nuclear Security
Administration are Federal agencies and
are not considered eligible under
Section 5 of the BCPA.
Regulatory Procedure Requirements
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.
Environmental Compliance
In accordance with the DOE National
Environmental Policy Act Implementing
Procedures (10 CFR 1021), Western has
determined that these actions fit within
a class of action B4.1 Contracts, policies,
and marketing and allocation plans for
electric power, in Appendix B to
Subpart D to Part 1021—Categorical
Exclusions Applicable to Specific
Agency Actions.
Dated: July 30, 2014.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014–18797 Filed 8–7–14; 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–166
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed power rates.
AGENCY:
The Western Area Power
Administration (Western) Pick-Sloan
Missouri Basin Program—Eastern
Division (P–SMBP—ED) Rate Schedules
P–SED–F11 and P–SED–FP11 for firm
power and firm peaking power service
expire December 31, 2014. Western is
proposing modifications to the charge
components in Rate Schedules P–SED–
F11 and P–SED–FP11 in order to true
up the base and drought adder charges,
which require a minor rate adjustment
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
process. The revenue requirement and
the total rate charges in the firm power
and firm peaking power service rate
schedules are not changing from Rate
Schedules P–SED–F11 and P–SED–FP11
and will continue to provide sufficient
revenue to pay all annual costs,
including interest expense, and repay
investments within the allowable
periods. If approved, the proposed Rate
Schedules P–SED–F12 and P–SED–FP12
will become effective on January 1,
2015, and will remain in effect through
December 31, 2019. Publication of this
Federal Register notice begins the
formal process for the proposed rate
schedules.
DATES: The consultation and comment
period will begin today and will end
September 8, 2014. Western will accept
written comments any time during the
consultation and comment period.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
requests to be informed of Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
actions concerning the rates submitted
by Western to FERC for approval should
be sent to: Mr. Robert J. Harris, Regional
Manager, Upper Great Plains Region,
Western Area Power Administration,
2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT
59101–1266, or email ugpfirmrate@
wapa.gov. Information about the rate
process is posted on Western’s Web site
at https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/2015
firmrateadjust. Western will post
official comments received via letter
and email 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Linda Cady-Hoffman, Rates Manager,
Upper Great Plains Region, Western
Area Power Administration, 2900 4th
Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101–
1266, telephone: (406) 255–2920, email:
cady@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
December 14, 2009, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy approved, on an
interim basis, Rate Order No. WAPA–
147 and Rate Schedules P–SED–F11 and
P–SED–FP11 for the period beginning
January 1, 2010, and ending December
31, 2014 (74 FR 67197–67204 (Dec. 18,
2009)).1 The existing P–SMBP—ED
charges in the current rate schedules for
firm power and firm peaking power
continue to provide sufficient revenue
1 FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order
WAPA–147 on a final basis on September 10, 2010,
in Docket No. EF10–2–000. See United States
Department of Energy, Western Area Power
Administration (Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin
Program—Eastern Division), 132 FERC ¶ 62,159.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 153 / Friday, August 8, 2014 / Notices
to meet the P–SMBP—ED repayment
obligations. The total annual revenue
requirement for P–SMBP—ED remains
$320.2 million for firm power and firm
peaking power service, and the overall
capacity and energy charges are not
changing, as indicated in the following
Table 1:
TABLE 1—COMPARISON OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED RATES
Existing
charges under
rates effective
(January 1,
2010) P–SED–
F11/P–SED–
FP11
Firm power service
P–SMBP—ED Revenue Requirement (millions $) ......................................................................
P–SMBP—ED Composite Rate (mills/kWh) ................................................................................
Firm Capacity ($/kW-month) ........................................................................................................
Firm Energy (mills/kWh) ..............................................................................................................
Firm Peaking Capacity ($/kW-month) .........................................................................................
Firm Peaking Energy (mills/kWh) 1/ ............................................................................................
Proposed
charges under
rates effective
(January 1,
2015) P–SED–
F12/P–SED–
FP12
$320.2
33.25
$7.65
19.05
$6.90
19.05
$320.2
33.25
$7.65
19.05
$6.90
19.05
Percent
change (%)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 Firm Peaking Energy is normally returned. This charge will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not returned.
Under the current rate methodology,
rates for P–SMBP—ED firm power and
firm peaking power service are designed
to recover an annual revenue
requirement that includes investment
repayment, interest, purchase power,
operation and maintenance, and other
expenses within the allowable period.
Western is proposing to true up the
base and drought adder components of
the rate schedules and place new rate
schedules into effect for the 5-year
period, beginning January 1, 2015,
through December 31, 2019. The
proposed true up updates the base
components to represent present costs
and lowers the drought adder
components to represent present
drought costs. Over the past 5-year rate
period, the P–SMBP costs included in
the drought adder have decreased as the
actual deficits taken were less than
projected when the current charges were
placed into effect. Additionally, there
have been drought costs repaid ahead of
schedule which decreased the drought
deficit interest expense. Base costs
increased during that same period due
to a new 5-year cost evaluation period,
new investments and replacements, and
inflationary costs. A comparison of the
current and proposed components is
listed in Table 2.
TABLE 2—SUMMARY OF P–SMBP—ED RATE COMPONENTS
Existing charges under rate schedules P–SED–
F11 and P–SED–FP11 as of January 1, 2010
Base
component
Firm
Firm
Firm
Firm
Capacity (/kWmonth) .......................
Energy (mills/kWh) ..........................
Peaking Capacity ($/kWmonth) .......
Peaking Energy (mills/kWh) 1/ ........
Drought adder
component
$3.80
9.53
$3.45
9.53
Total charge
$3.85
9.52
$3.45
9.52
Proposed Charges under rate schedules
P–SED–F12 and P–SED–FP12 as of
January 1, 2015
Base
component
$7.65
19.05
$6.90
19.05
$4.90
12.33
$4.45
12.26
Drought adder
component
$2.75
6.72
$2.45
6.79
Total charge
$7.65
19.05
$6.90
19.05
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1/Firm peaking energy is normally returned. This charge will be assessed in the event firm peaking energy is not returned.
Over the past 5 years, Western has
conducted its annual process of
reviewing the sufficiency of the drought
adder. With the rate schedules set to
expire December 31, 2014, and the
requirement of a public process to place
new rate schedules into effect, Western
proposes to true up the base and
drought adder components in the new
rate schedules to current values.
Updating the components does not
change the overall charges. It only
identifies what portion of the charge is
driven by base and drought adder
components.
Legal Authority
The proposed modifications to the
rate schedules for firm power and firm
peaking power service, resulting in a
true up of the base and drought adder
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:51 Aug 07, 2014
Jkt 232001
components described above, constitute
a minor rate adjustment, as defined by
10 CFR part 903.2(f). Western
determined it is not necessary to hold a
public information or public comment
forum and, instead, held an informal
public meeting via webinar for this
minor rate adjustment, pursuant to 10
CFR 903.17. Western will review all
timely public comments and make
amendments or adjustments to the
proposal as appropriate. The proposed
rate schedules will be forwarded to the
Deputy Secretary of Energy for approval
on an interim basis.
Western is establishing firm power
and firm peaking power 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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. 00–037.00A,
effective October 25, 2013, 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
FERC. Existing DOE procedures for
public participation in power rate
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 153 / Friday, August 8, 2014 / Notices
adjustments (10 CFR part 903) were
published on September 18, 1985.
Availability of Information
All 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,
Montana. Many of these documents and
supporting information are also
available on Western’s Web site under
the ‘‘2015 Firm Rate Adjustment’’
section located at https://www.wapa.gov/
ugp/rates/2015firmrateadjust.
Western held an informal public
meeting on May 2, 2014, via webinar to
inform customers, Native American
tribes, stakeholders, and other interested
parties about the proposed minor rate
adjustment. The webinar was recorded
and posted to the above referenced
Western Web site.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, 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
is in the process of determining whether
an environmental assessment or an
environmental impact statement should
be prepared or if this action can be
categorically excluded from those
requirements.
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.
Dated: July 23, 2014.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014–18788 Filed 8–7–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–R09–OAR–2014–0485; FRL–9914–85Region 9]
Adequacy Status of Motor Vehicle
Emissions Budgets in Submitted 8Hour Ozone Attainment Plan for
Sacramento Metro; California
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice of adequacy.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is notifying the public
that the Agency has found that the
motor vehicle emissions budgets
(MVEBs) for ozone for the years 2014,
2017, and 2018 in the Sacramento
Regional 8-Hour Ozone Attainment Plan
SUMMARY:
and Reasonable Further Progress Plan,
2013 SIP Revisions (‘‘2013 Sacramento
Ozone Plan’’) are adequate for
transportation conformity purposes. The
2013 Sacramento Ozone Plan was
submitted to EPA on December 31, 2013
by the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) as a revision to the California
State Implementation Plan (SIP) and
includes an attainment demonstration
for the 1997 8-hour ozone national
ambient air quality standard. Upon the
effective date of this notice of adequacy,
the Sacramento Area Council of
Governments and the U.S. Department
of Transportation must use the MVEBs
for future conformity determinations.
DATES: This finding is effective August
25, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Ungvarsky, U.S. EPA, Region IX, Air
Division AIR–2, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105–3901, (415)
972–3963 or ungvarsky.john@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, whenever
‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or ‘‘our’’ is used, we mean
EPA.
Today’s notice is simply an
announcement of a finding that we have
already made. EPA sent a letter to CARB
on July 25, 2014 stating that the MVEBs
for oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) in the
submitted 2013 Sacramento Ozone Plan
for the years of 2014, 2017, and 2018 are
adequate. The adequate MVEBs are
provided in the following table:
MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS BUDGETS IN THE 2013 SACRAMENTO OZONE PLAN
NOX
Budget year
2014
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Tons per average summer weekday ...............................
Receipt of the MVEBs in the 2013
Sacramento Ozone Plan was announced
on EPA’s transportation conformity Web
site on May 20, 2014. We received no
comments in response to the adequacy
review posting. The finding is available
at EPA’s transportation conformity Web
site: https://www.epa.gov/otaq/state
resources/transconf/adequacy.htm.
Transportation conformity is required
by Clean Air Act section 176(c). EPA’s
conformity rule requires that
transportation plans, transportation
improvement programs, and projects
conform to SIPs and establishes the
criteria and procedures for determining
whether or not they do conform.
Conformity to a SIP means that
transportation activities will not
produce new air quality violations,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:51 Aug 07, 2014
Jkt 232001
VOC
2017
49
2018
39
worsen existing violations, or delay
timely attainment of the national
ambient air quality standards.
The criteria by which we determine
whether a SIP’s MVEBs are adequate for
conformity purposes are outlined in 40
CFR 93.118(e)(4) which was
promulgated in our August 15, 1997
final rule (62 FR 43780, 43781–43783).
We have further described our process
for determining the adequacy of
submitted SIP budgets in our July 1,
2004 final rule (69 FR 40004, 40038),
and we used the information in these
resources in making our adequacy
determination. Please note that an
adequacy review is separate from EPA’s
completeness review, and should not be
used to prejudge EPA’s ultimate
approval action for the SIP. Even if we
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2014
37
2017
23
2018
18
find a budget adequate, the SIP could
later be disapproved.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Dated: July 25, 2014.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2014–18819 Filed 8–7–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46434-46436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18788]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division-Rate Order
No. WAPA-166
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed power rates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) Pick-Sloan
Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division (P-SMBP--ED) Rate Schedules P-
SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 for firm power and firm peaking power service
expire December 31, 2014. Western is proposing modifications to the
charge components in Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 in order
to true up the base and drought adder charges, which require a minor
rate adjustment process. The revenue requirement and the total rate
charges in the firm power and firm peaking power service rate schedules
are not changing from Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 and will
continue to provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs,
including interest expense, and repay investments within the allowable
periods. If approved, the proposed Rate Schedules P-SED-F12 and P-SED-
FP12 will become effective on January 1, 2015, and will remain in
effect through December 31, 2019. Publication of this Federal Register
notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate schedules.
DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin today and will
end September 8, 2014. Western will accept written comments any time
during the consultation and comment period.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to be informed of Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) actions concerning the rates
submitted by Western to FERC for approval should be sent to: Mr. Robert
J. Harris, Regional Manager, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area
Power Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266,
or email ugpfirmrate@wapa.gov. Information about the rate process is
posted on Western's Web site at https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/2015firmrateadjust. Western will post official comments received via
letter and email 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Cady-Hoffman, Rates Manager,
Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 2900 4th
Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, telephone: (406) 255-2920,
email: cady@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 14, 2009, the Deputy Secretary
of Energy approved, on an interim basis, Rate Order No. WAPA-147 and
Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED-FP11 for the period beginning
January 1, 2010, and ending December 31, 2014 (74 FR 67197-67204 (Dec.
18, 2009)).\1\ The existing P-SMBP--ED charges in the current rate
schedules for firm power and firm peaking power continue to provide
sufficient revenue
[[Page 46435]]
to meet the P-SMBP--ED repayment obligations. The total annual revenue
requirement for P-SMBP--ED remains $320.2 million for firm power and
firm peaking power service, and the overall capacity and energy charges
are not changing, as indicated in the following Table 1:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ FERC confirmed and approved Rate Order WAPA-147 on a final
basis on September 10, 2010, in Docket No. EF10-2-000. See United
States Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration
(Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division), 132 FERC ]
62,159.
Table 1--Comparison of Existing and Proposed Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Proposed
charges under charges under
rates rates
Firm power service effective effective Percent change
(January 1, (January 1, (%)
2010) P-SED- 2015) P-SED-
F11/P-SED-FP11 F12/P-SED-FP12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-SMBP--ED Revenue Requirement (millions $)..................... $320.2 $320.2 0
P-SMBP--ED Composite Rate (mills/kWh)........................... 33.25 33.25 0
Firm Capacity ($/kW-month)...................................... $7.65 $7.65 0
Firm Energy (mills/kWh)......................................... 19.05 19.05 0
Firm Peaking Capacity ($/kW-month).............................. $6.90 $6.90 0
Firm Peaking Energy (mills/kWh) 1/.............................. 19.05 19.05 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Firm Peaking Energy is normally returned. This charge will be assessed in the event Firm Peaking Energy is not
returned.
Under the current rate methodology, rates for P-SMBP--ED firm power
and firm peaking power service are designed to recover an annual
revenue requirement that includes investment repayment, interest,
purchase power, operation and maintenance, and other expenses within
the allowable period.
Western is proposing to true up the base and drought adder
components of the rate schedules and place new rate schedules into
effect for the 5-year period, beginning January 1, 2015, through
December 31, 2019. The proposed true up updates the base components to
represent present costs and lowers the drought adder components to
represent present drought costs. Over the past 5-year rate period, the
P-SMBP costs included in the drought adder have decreased as the actual
deficits taken were less than projected when the current charges were
placed into effect. Additionally, there have been drought costs repaid
ahead of schedule which decreased the drought deficit interest expense.
Base costs increased during that same period due to a new 5-year cost
evaluation period, new investments and replacements, and inflationary
costs. A comparison of the current and proposed components is listed in
Table 2.
Table 2--Summary of P-SMBP--ED Rate Components
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing charges under rate schedules P-SED- Proposed Charges under rate schedules P-SED-
F11 and P-SED-FP11 as of January 1, 2010 F12 and P-SED-FP12 as of January 1, 2015
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Drought adder Base Drought adder
component component Total charge component component Total charge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Firm Capacity (/kWmonth)................................ $3.80 $3.85 $7.65 $4.90 $2.75 $7.65
Firm Energy (mills/kWh)................................. 9.53 9.52 19.05 12.33 6.72 19.05
Firm Peaking Capacity ($/kWmonth)....................... $3.45 $3.45 $6.90 $4.45 $2.45 $6.90
Firm Peaking Energy (mills/kWh) 1/...................... 9.53 9.52 19.05 12.26 6.79 19.05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/Firm peaking energy is normally returned. This charge will be assessed in the event firm peaking energy is not returned.
Over the past 5 years, Western has conducted its annual process of
reviewing the sufficiency of the drought adder. With the rate schedules
set to expire December 31, 2014, and the requirement of a public
process to place new rate schedules into effect, Western proposes to
true up the base and drought adder components in the new rate schedules
to current values. Updating the components does not change the overall
charges. It only identifies what portion of the charge is driven by
base and drought adder components.
Legal Authority
The proposed modifications to the rate schedules for firm power and
firm peaking power service, resulting in a true up of the base and
drought adder components described above, constitute a minor rate
adjustment, as defined by 10 CFR part 903.2(f). Western determined it
is not necessary to hold a public information or public comment forum
and, instead, held an informal public meeting via webinar for this
minor rate adjustment, pursuant to 10 CFR 903.17. Western will review
all timely public comments and make amendments or adjustments to the
proposal as appropriate. The proposed rate schedules will be forwarded
to the Deputy Secretary of Energy for approval on an interim basis.
Western is establishing firm power and firm peaking power 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
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. 00-037.00A, effective October 25, 2013, 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 FERC. Existing DOE procedures for public
participation in power rate
[[Page 46436]]
adjustments (10 CFR part 903) were published on September 18, 1985.
Availability of Information
All 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, Montana. Many of
these documents and supporting information are also available on
Western's Web site under the ``2015 Firm Rate Adjustment'' section
located at https://www.wapa.gov/ugp/rates/2015firmrateadjust.
Western held an informal public meeting on May 2, 2014, via webinar
to inform customers, Native American tribes, stakeholders, and other
interested parties about the proposed minor rate adjustment. The
webinar was recorded and posted to the above referenced Western Web
site.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, 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
is in the process of determining whether an environmental assessment or
an environmental impact statement should be prepared or if this action
can be categorically excluded from those requirements.
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.
Dated: July 23, 2014.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-18788 Filed 8-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
