Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects and Colorado River Storage Project 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria, 78222-78224 [2015-31619]
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78222
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices
Dated: December 10, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–31611 Filed 12–15–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects
and Colorado River Storage Project
2025 General Power Marketing Criteria
Western Area Power
Administration, Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTION: Notice of the Proposed 2025
Marketing Plan and announcement of
public information and comment
forums.
AGENCY:
Western Area Power
Administration (Western), Colorado
River Storage Project Management
Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power
marketing agency of the Department of
Energy, is seeking comments on its
Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the
Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects
(SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP
marketing plan will expire on
September 30, 2024. The Proposed
General Power Marketing Criteria
provides the basis for marketing the
long-term, firm hydroelectric resources
of the SLCA/IP to be effective October
1, 2024. The Proposed General Power
Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are
published herein. This Federal Register
notice (FRN) formally initiates
Western’s public process and request for
public comments. Western will prepare
and publish the final 2025 General
Power Marketing Criteria after public
comments on the criteria are
considered. The Energy Planning and
Management Program as set forth in 10
CFR part 905 is not specifically
applicable to the SLCA/IP; however,
Western used the Power Marketing
Initiative outlined in Subpart C for
general guidance in developing a
framework for this proposal. This FRN
is not a call for applications. A call for
applications from those interested in an
allocation of SLCA/IP power will occur
in a future notice.
DATES: A public information forum is
scheduled for Thursday, January 14,
2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the
Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart
Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The public
comment forum is scheduled for
Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn,
5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt
Lake City, Utah. Written comments may
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SUMMARY:
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17:21 Dec 15, 2015
Jkt 238001
be submitted to Western on or before
March 30, 2016.
Responses to questions about the
proposed criteria unanswered at the
forum will be provided in writing
within a reasonable period of time. An
opportunity will be given to all
interested parties to present written or
oral statements at the public comment
forum. The forums will be transcribed,
and copies will be available upon
request. Any fees required by the
transcription firm to provide a
transcribed copy will be the
responsibility of the requestor.
Additionally, Western is available to
consult on a government-to-government
basis with Tribes that express interest in
doing so.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
regarding the proposed 2025 General
Power Marketing Criteria to Ms. Lynn
Jeka, CRSP Manager, Western Area
Power Administration, 150 East Social
Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City,
UT 84111–1580. Western’s
representatives will explain the
proposed criteria and answer questions.
Comments may also be faxed to (801)
524–5017, or emailed to SLIPPost2024@
wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Parker Wicks, Public Utilities Specialist,
or Mr. Steve Mullen, Public Utilities
Specialist, at Western Area Power
Administration, CRSP Management
Center, 150 East Social Hall Avenue,
Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–
1580, telephone (801) 524–5493, or
email to SLIPPost2024@wapa.gov.
Information can also be found at
https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/
PowerMarketing/Pages/powermarketing.aspx.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brief
descriptions of the projects included in
the SLCA/IP are provided below:
Colorado River Storage Project
Authorized in 1956, the CRSP and
participating projects initiated the
comprehensive development and use of
water resources of the Upper Colorado
River. The CRSP is comprised of the
Glen Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Blue
Mesa, Crystal, and Morrow Point dams
and powerplants. CRSP storage units
stabilize the erratic flows of the
Colorado River and its tributaries so
annual water delivery commitments to
the Lower Colorado River Basin, as well
as to farmers, municipalities, and
industries in the Upper Basin, can be
met. Delivery of this water to consumers
is accomplished, in part, through the
participating projects discussed below.
Additional project development may
occur in future years. Initial
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
hydroelectric generation began at the
CRSP facilities in 1963. The maximum
operating capacity of the five original
CRSP powerplants is currently about
1,760 MW. The average annual
generation over the 20-year period from
1994 through 2014 was about 5,208,238
MWh.
Participating Projects
Seedskadee Project (Fontenelle
Powerplant): The Seedskadee Project
was authorized as one of the initial
group of participating projects
authorized with the CRSP in 1956. The
Fontenelle Dam, powerplant, and
reservoir are the principal features of
the Seedskadee Project. The powerplant
commenced operation in May 1968. The
maximum operating capacity of
Fontenelle Powerplant is 10 MW. The
average annual generation from 1994–
2014 was 53,477 MWh.
Dolores Project (McPhee Dam and
Towaoc Canal Powerplants): The
Dolores Project was authorized by the
Colorado River Basin Act of September
30, 1968, as a participating project
under the Colorado River Storage
Project Act. The maximum operating
capacity of the two powerplants is 12.8
MW, and the combined average annual
output of McPhee Dam and Towaoc
Canal powerplants from 1994–2014 was
18,161 MWh.
Integrated Projects
Western consolidated and
operationally integrated the Collbran
and Rio Grande projects with CRSP
beginning on October 1, 1987. These
integrated projects have retained their
separate financial obligations for
repayment; however, an SLCA/IP rate is
set to recover revenues to meet the
repayment requirements of all projects.
The maximum operating capacity of the
eleven SLCA/IP powerplants is 1,818.6
MW, and the average annual generation
from 1994–2014 was about 5,635,057
MWh. The SLCA/IP resources are
currently marketed to approximately
140 long-term customers, and many
more electric service providers enjoy
this power indirectly through parent
organizations that are direct customers
of the SLCA/IP. Existing contracts will
terminate at the end of the September
2024 billing period.
Collbran Project (Upper Molina and
Lower Molina Powerplants): Authorized
in 1952 and in service since 1962. The
maximum operating capacity of the two
powerplants is presently 13.5 MW. The
average annual generation from 1994–
2014 was 41,915 MWh.
Rio Grande Project (Elephant Butte
Powerplant): The Rio Grande Project
was authorized in 1905, and the
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices
powerplant went into service in 1940.
The maximum operating capacity of the
Elephant Butte Powerplant is 27.0 MW.
The average annual generation was
66,743 MWh from 1994–2014.
tkelley on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES
Current Marketing Plan Background
The final Post-1989 General Power
Marketing and Allocation Criteria,
SLCA/IP (Post-1989 Plan), was
published in the Federal Register (51
FR 4844–4870, February 7, 1986) and
provided the marketing plan principles
used to market what is now referred to
as the SLCA/IP firm hydropower
resources. The firm electric service
contracts associated with the Post-1989
Plan were initially to expire in 2004.
Western’s Energy Planning and
Management Program (EPAMP) Final
Rule, Subpart C—Power Marketing
Initiative was adopted for the SLCA/IP
as published in the Federal Register (64
FR 34414–34417, Friday, June 25, 1999),
which extended the firm electric
contracts associated with the Post-1989
Plan through September 30, 2024, and
also established a Post-2004 resource
pool. The current marketing plan is
inclusive of the Post-1989 Plan as
extended and amended by EPAMP and
the Post-2004 Power Marketing
Initiative.
Proposed 2025 General Power
Marketing Criteria Background
During the summer of 2015, Western
held four meetings to initiate informal
discussions with current SLCA/IP firm
electric service customers and their
representatives. The meetings were held
in Phoenix, Arizona; Lakewood,
Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico;
and Salt Lake City, Utah. These
meetings provided customers the
opportunity to review current marketing
plan principles and provide informal
input to Western for consideration in
this Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan.
Some of the key marketing plan
principles discussed at the meetings
included marketing area, contract term,
resource pools, and marketable
resource. The main input Western
received from the commenters during
these meetings was that the Post-1989
Plan worked well and that Western
should make as few changes as possible.
Western agrees and proposes to keep the
general contract format and maintain
the existing allocations with its current
customers. Western is also proposing
that, if after it completes its analysis
there is additional resource available, a
power pool of 2 percent be created to
serve new customers. Although
Western’s existing customers requested
that no new power pool be created and
that any additional marketable resource
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17:21 Dec 15, 2015
Jkt 238001
be allocated to them to offset reductions
in their allocations due to the 1996 Glen
Canyon Dam Environmental Impact
Statement Record of Decision, Western
determined it could support additional
wide-spread use by allocating any
additional resource to benefit new
customers rather than try to distribute a
small amount of power among the
approximately 135 existing customers.
Western considered the feedback it
received in developing the Proposed
2025 Marketing Plan, outlined below.
Proposed 2025 General Power
Marketing Criteria
Western’s Proposed 2025 Power
Marketing Plan will remain
predominantly unchanged from the
Post-1989 General Power Marketing
Criteria and Post-2004 Power Marketing
Initiative. The Marketing Plan
principles are as follows:
Proposed Marketing Plan Principles
1. Contract Term: A 40-year contract
term would be used for firm electric
service contracts. The firm electric
service contract term would begin
October 1, 2024, and expire September
30, 2064.
2. Marketing Area: The Proposed 2025
Marketing Plan supports continuing the
current SLCA/IP marketing area, which
is divided into Northern and Southern
Divisions.
A. The Northern Division consists of
the states of Colorado, New Mexico,
Utah, and Wyoming; the City of Page,
Arizona; a portion of the area in Arizona
which lies in the drainage area of the
Upper Colorado River Basin to be served
by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority;
and White Pine County and portions of
Elko and Eureka counties in Nevada.
B. The Southern Division consists of
the remaining portion of the state of
Arizona and that part of the state of
Nevada in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye
counties that comprise the southern
portion of the state.
3. New Resource Pool: Currently, the
CRSP MC is doing extensive modeling
to determine the amount of SLCA/IP
resource that will be available for the
2025 Marketing Plan. Western expects
that capacity and energy will be
available above what is currently
allocated to existing customers. If so, the
2025 Marketing Plan will provide a 2
percent resource pool of the modeled
marketable resource. The allocation of
this resource would occur one time at
the beginning of the contract term,
October 1, 2024. If, after the analysis of
available marketable resource is
completed, there is less than 2 percent
available for a resource pool, then no
resource pool will be made available to
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78223
new customers. Western’s
determination of the availability of a
resource pool will be announced
through an FRN. Depending upon the
timing, it may be announced in
conjunction with another action (i.e.,
Final 2025 Marketing Plan) or it may be
announced in a separate FRN.
4. Western will provide new
allocations only to eligible preference
entities in the Northern Division and
Native American tribes in either the
Northern or Southern Division. Western
will give priority to those preference
entities that currently do not receive the
benefit of Federal hydropower. If the
applicant has met the eligibility criteria,
Western, through the public process,
will determine the amount of power, if
any, to allocate in accordance with the
marketing criteria and administrative
discretion under Reclamation Law.
5. Eligible applicants, except Native
American tribes, must be ready, willing,
and able to receive and distribute or use
power from Western. Ready, willing,
and able means the eligible applicant
has the facilities needed for the receipt
of power or has made the necessary
arrangements for transmission and/or
distribution service, and its power
supply contracts with third parties
permit the delivery of Western’s power.
6. Eligible applicants must have the
necessary arrangements for transmission
and/or distribution service in place by
October 1, 2023.
7. An eligible Native American
applicant must be an Indian tribe as
defined in the Indian Self Determination
Act of 1975, 25 U.S.C. 450b, as
amended.
8. In determining allocations, Western
will give priority consideration in the
following order to entities satisfying
these marketing criteria:
A. Federally recognized Native
American tribes.
B. Municipal corporations and
political subdivisions including
irrigation or other districts,
municipalities, and other governmental
organizations that have electric utility
status by October 1, 2023. ‘‘Electric
utility status’’ means that the entity has
responsibility to meet load growth, has
a distribution system, and is ready,
willing, and able to purchase Federal
power from Western on a wholesale
basis.
C. Electric cooperatives and public
utilities, other than electric utilities, that
are recognized as utilities by their
applicable legal authorities, are
nonprofit in nature, have electrical
facilities, and are independently
governed and financed.
D. Other eligible applicants.
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78224
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 2015 / Notices
9. In determining allocations, Western
will consider existing Federal power
resource allocations of the applicants.
10. Western will base allocations to
Native American tribes on actual loads
experienced in the most recent calendar
year. Western may use estimated load
values if actual load data are not
available. Western will evaluate and
may adjust inconsistent estimates
during the allocation process. Western
is available to assist tribes in developing
load estimates.
11. Western will base allocations to
eligible applicants on the actual loads
experienced in the most recent calendar
year and will apply current marketing
criteria to these loads.
12. The minimum allocation will be
100 kW.
13. Contractors must execute electric
service contracts within 6 months of
receiving a contract offer from Western,
unless Western agrees otherwise in
writing.
14. If unanticipated obstacles to the
delivery of electric service to a Native
American tribe arise, Western retains
the right to provide the economic
benefit of the resource directly to the
tribe.
15. Existing Marketable Resource:
Dependent upon available resource,
Western proposes extending the existing
contract rates of delivery commitments,
with associated energy, to the existing
SLCA/IP long-term, firm power
customers.
16. Hydrology and River Operations
Withdrawal Provision: Western will
reserve the right to adjust, at its
discretion and sole determination, the
contract rate of delivery on 5 years’
advance written notice in response to
changes in hydrology and river
operations. Any such adjustments
would occur after an appropriate public
process.
17. Service Seasons: The Proposed
2025 Marketing Plan supports
continuing the current SLCA/IP summer
and winter seasons.
A. Summer Season: The 6-month
period from the first day of the April
billing period through the last day of the
September billing period in any
calendar year.
B. Winter Season: The 6-month period
from the first day of the October billing
period of any calendar year through the
last day of the March billing period of
the next succeeding calendar year.
18. Retention of Existing Contract
Provisions: The Proposed 2025
Marketing Plan supports using the
existing SLCA/IP firm electric service
contract provisions with only minor
modifications. Customer Displacement
Power (CDP) and Western Replacement
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17:21 Dec 15, 2015
Jkt 238001
Power (WRP) contract provisions will
continue to be available in the new
SLCA/IP firm electric service contracts.
The CDP and WRP provisions allow
customers, at their discretion, to
augment hydropower allocations with
purchase power. Western reserves
enough capacity on the CRSP
transmission system to deliver the
maximum amount of hydropower the
system is capable of generating, which
under certain conditions can sometime
occur. In times when hydropower
deliveries are lower, this transmission
capacity can be made available for use
by the customers. Under CDP,
customers may elect to use this reserved
transmission capacity to deliver their
own energy resources in hours that it is
needed to augment the hydropower
deliveries. WRP is similar to CDP, but
customers request that Western act as
their agent and purchase energy
available on the market to augment
hydropower deliveries.
Availability of Information
Documents developed or retained by
Western during this public process will
be available, by appointment, for
inspection and copying at the CRSP MC,
located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue,
Suite 300, Salt Lake City, Utah. Western
will post information concerning the
Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan on its
Web site at: https://www.wapa.gov/
regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/
power-marketing.aspx. Written
comments received as part of the 2025
Marketing Plan formal public process
will be available for viewing on the Web
site.
Procedural Requirements
Environmental Compliance
Western will evaluate this action for
compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), the Council
on Environmental Quality Regulations
(40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and DOE
NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 1021).
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: December 8, 2015.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015–31619 Filed 12–15–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0439; FRL 9939–81–
OEI]
Information Collection Request
Submitted to OMB for Review and
Approval; Comment Request;
Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts,
Chemical and Radionuclides Rules
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted
an Information Collection Request (ICR)
for the Disinfectants/Disinfection
Byproducts, Chemical and
Radionuclides Rules (EPA ICR No.
1896.10, OMB Control No. 2040–0204)
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.). This is a proposed extension of
the ICR, which is currently approved
through December 31, 2015. Public
comments were previously requested
via the Federal Register (80 FR 17040)
on March 31, 2015, during a 60-day
comment period. This notice allows for
an additional 30 days for public
comments. A description of the ICR is
provided in this renewal notice,
including its estimated burden and cost
to the public. An Agency may not
conduct or sponsor and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
DATES: Additional comments may be
submitted on or before January 15, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing Docket ID Number EPA–
HQ–OW–2011–0439, to (1) EPA online
using www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), by email to OWDocket@epa.gov or by mail to EPA
Docket Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB via
email to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov.
Address comments to OMB Desk Officer
for EPA.
EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without modification including
any personal information provided,
unless the comment includes profanity,
threats, information claimed to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Roland, Drinking Water
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78222-78224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31619]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects and Colorado River
Storage Project 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan and announcement of
public information and comment forums.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (Western), Colorado River
Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power marketing
agency of the Department of Energy, is seeking comments on its Proposed
2025 Marketing Plan for the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects
(SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP marketing plan will expire on September
30, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria provides the
basis for marketing the long-term, firm hydroelectric resources of the
SLCA/IP to be effective October 1, 2024. The Proposed General Power
Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are published herein. This Federal
Register notice (FRN) formally initiates Western's public process and
request for public comments. Western will prepare and publish the final
2025 General Power Marketing Criteria after public comments on the
criteria are considered. The Energy Planning and Management Program as
set forth in 10 CFR part 905 is not specifically applicable to the
SLCA/IP; however, Western used the Power Marketing Initiative outlined
in Subpart C for general guidance in developing a framework for this
proposal. This FRN is not a call for applications. A call for
applications from those interested in an allocation of SLCA/IP power
will occur in a future notice.
DATES: A public information forum is scheduled for Thursday, January
14, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West
Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The public comment forum is
scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MST
at the Ramada Inn, 5575 West Amelia Earhart Drive, Salt Lake City,
Utah. Written comments may be submitted to Western on or before March
30, 2016.
Responses to questions about the proposed criteria unanswered at
the forum will be provided in writing within a reasonable period of
time. An opportunity will be given to all interested parties to present
written or oral statements at the public comment forum. The forums will
be transcribed, and copies will be available upon request. Any fees
required by the transcription firm to provide a transcribed copy will
be the responsibility of the requestor. Additionally, Western is
available to consult on a government-to-government basis with Tribes
that express interest in doing so.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments regarding the proposed 2025 General
Power Marketing Criteria to Ms. Lynn Jeka, CRSP Manager, Western Area
Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake
City, UT 84111-1580. Western's representatives will explain the
proposed criteria and answer questions. Comments may also be faxed to
(801) 524-5017, or emailed to SLIPPost2024@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Parker Wicks, Public Utilities
Specialist, or Mr. Steve Mullen, Public Utilities Specialist, at
Western Area Power Administration, CRSP Management Center, 150 East
Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1580, telephone
(801) 524-5493, or email to SLIPPost2024@wapa.gov. Information can also
be found at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/power-marketing.aspx.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brief descriptions of the projects included
in the SLCA/IP are provided below:
Colorado River Storage Project
Authorized in 1956, the CRSP and participating projects initiated
the comprehensive development and use of water resources of the Upper
Colorado River. The CRSP is comprised of the Glen Canyon, Flaming
Gorge, Blue Mesa, Crystal, and Morrow Point dams and powerplants. CRSP
storage units stabilize the erratic flows of the Colorado River and its
tributaries so annual water delivery commitments to the Lower Colorado
River Basin, as well as to farmers, municipalities, and industries in
the Upper Basin, can be met. Delivery of this water to consumers is
accomplished, in part, through the participating projects discussed
below. Additional project development may occur in future years.
Initial hydroelectric generation began at the CRSP facilities in 1963.
The maximum operating capacity of the five original CRSP powerplants is
currently about 1,760 MW. The average annual generation over the 20-
year period from 1994 through 2014 was about 5,208,238 MWh.
Participating Projects
Seedskadee Project (Fontenelle Powerplant): The Seedskadee Project
was authorized as one of the initial group of participating projects
authorized with the CRSP in 1956. The Fontenelle Dam, powerplant, and
reservoir are the principal features of the Seedskadee Project. The
powerplant commenced operation in May 1968. The maximum operating
capacity of Fontenelle Powerplant is 10 MW. The average annual
generation from 1994-2014 was 53,477 MWh.
Dolores Project (McPhee Dam and Towaoc Canal Powerplants): The
Dolores Project was authorized by the Colorado River Basin Act of
September 30, 1968, as a participating project under the Colorado River
Storage Project Act. The maximum operating capacity of the two
powerplants is 12.8 MW, and the combined average annual output of
McPhee Dam and Towaoc Canal powerplants from 1994-2014 was 18,161 MWh.
Integrated Projects
Western consolidated and operationally integrated the Collbran and
Rio Grande projects with CRSP beginning on October 1, 1987. These
integrated projects have retained their separate financial obligations
for repayment; however, an SLCA/IP rate is set to recover revenues to
meet the repayment requirements of all projects. The maximum operating
capacity of the eleven SLCA/IP powerplants is 1,818.6 MW, and the
average annual generation from 1994-2014 was about 5,635,057 MWh. The
SLCA/IP resources are currently marketed to approximately 140 long-term
customers, and many more electric service providers enjoy this power
indirectly through parent organizations that are direct customers of
the SLCA/IP. Existing contracts will terminate at the end of the
September 2024 billing period.
Collbran Project (Upper Molina and Lower Molina Powerplants):
Authorized in 1952 and in service since 1962. The maximum operating
capacity of the two powerplants is presently 13.5 MW. The average
annual generation from 1994-2014 was 41,915 MWh.
Rio Grande Project (Elephant Butte Powerplant): The Rio Grande
Project was authorized in 1905, and the
[[Page 78223]]
powerplant went into service in 1940. The maximum operating capacity of
the Elephant Butte Powerplant is 27.0 MW. The average annual generation
was 66,743 MWh from 1994-2014.
Current Marketing Plan Background
The final Post-1989 General Power Marketing and Allocation
Criteria, SLCA/IP (Post-1989 Plan), was published in the Federal
Register (51 FR 4844-4870, February 7, 1986) and provided the marketing
plan principles used to market what is now referred to as the SLCA/IP
firm hydropower resources. The firm electric service contracts
associated with the Post-1989 Plan were initially to expire in 2004.
Western's Energy Planning and Management Program (EPAMP) Final Rule,
Subpart C--Power Marketing Initiative was adopted for the SLCA/IP as
published in the Federal Register (64 FR 34414-34417, Friday, June 25,
1999), which extended the firm electric contracts associated with the
Post-1989 Plan through September 30, 2024, and also established a Post-
2004 resource pool. The current marketing plan is inclusive of the
Post-1989 Plan as extended and amended by EPAMP and the Post-2004 Power
Marketing Initiative.
Proposed 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria Background
During the summer of 2015, Western held four meetings to initiate
informal discussions with current SLCA/IP firm electric service
customers and their representatives. The meetings were held in Phoenix,
Arizona; Lakewood, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Salt Lake
City, Utah. These meetings provided customers the opportunity to review
current marketing plan principles and provide informal input to Western
for consideration in this Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan. Some of the key
marketing plan principles discussed at the meetings included marketing
area, contract term, resource pools, and marketable resource. The main
input Western received from the commenters during these meetings was
that the Post-1989 Plan worked well and that Western should make as few
changes as possible. Western agrees and proposes to keep the general
contract format and maintain the existing allocations with its current
customers. Western is also proposing that, if after it completes its
analysis there is additional resource available, a power pool of 2
percent be created to serve new customers. Although Western's existing
customers requested that no new power pool be created and that any
additional marketable resource be allocated to them to offset
reductions in their allocations due to the 1996 Glen Canyon Dam
Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision, Western determined
it could support additional wide-spread use by allocating any
additional resource to benefit new customers rather than try to
distribute a small amount of power among the approximately 135 existing
customers. Western considered the feedback it received in developing
the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan, outlined below.
Proposed 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria
Western's Proposed 2025 Power Marketing Plan will remain
predominantly unchanged from the Post-1989 General Power Marketing
Criteria and Post-2004 Power Marketing Initiative. The Marketing Plan
principles are as follows:
Proposed Marketing Plan Principles
1. Contract Term: A 40-year contract term would be used for firm
electric service contracts. The firm electric service contract term
would begin October 1, 2024, and expire September 30, 2064.
2. Marketing Area: The Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan supports
continuing the current SLCA/IP marketing area, which is divided into
Northern and Southern Divisions.
A. The Northern Division consists of the states of Colorado, New
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming; the City of Page, Arizona; a portion of the
area in Arizona which lies in the drainage area of the Upper Colorado
River Basin to be served by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority; and
White Pine County and portions of Elko and Eureka counties in Nevada.
B. The Southern Division consists of the remaining portion of the
state of Arizona and that part of the state of Nevada in Clark,
Lincoln, and Nye counties that comprise the southern portion of the
state.
3. New Resource Pool: Currently, the CRSP MC is doing extensive
modeling to determine the amount of SLCA/IP resource that will be
available for the 2025 Marketing Plan. Western expects that capacity
and energy will be available above what is currently allocated to
existing customers. If so, the 2025 Marketing Plan will provide a 2
percent resource pool of the modeled marketable resource. The
allocation of this resource would occur one time at the beginning of
the contract term, October 1, 2024. If, after the analysis of available
marketable resource is completed, there is less than 2 percent
available for a resource pool, then no resource pool will be made
available to new customers. Western's determination of the availability
of a resource pool will be announced through an FRN. Depending upon the
timing, it may be announced in conjunction with another action (i.e.,
Final 2025 Marketing Plan) or it may be announced in a separate FRN.
4. Western will provide new allocations only to eligible preference
entities in the Northern Division and Native American tribes in either
the Northern or Southern Division. Western will give priority to those
preference entities that currently do not receive the benefit of
Federal hydropower. If the applicant has met the eligibility criteria,
Western, through the public process, will determine the amount of
power, if any, to allocate in accordance with the marketing criteria
and administrative discretion under Reclamation Law.
5. Eligible applicants, except Native American tribes, must be
ready, willing, and able to receive and distribute or use power from
Western. Ready, willing, and able means the eligible applicant has the
facilities needed for the receipt of power or has made the necessary
arrangements for transmission and/or distribution service, and its
power supply contracts with third parties permit the delivery of
Western's power.
6. Eligible applicants must have the necessary arrangements for
transmission and/or distribution service in place by October 1, 2023.
7. An eligible Native American applicant must be an Indian tribe as
defined in the Indian Self Determination Act of 1975, 25 U.S.C. 450b,
as amended.
8. In determining allocations, Western will give priority
consideration in the following order to entities satisfying these
marketing criteria:
A. Federally recognized Native American tribes.
B. Municipal corporations and political subdivisions including
irrigation or other districts, municipalities, and other governmental
organizations that have electric utility status by October 1, 2023.
``Electric utility status'' means that the entity has responsibility to
meet load growth, has a distribution system, and is ready, willing, and
able to purchase Federal power from Western on a wholesale basis.
C. Electric cooperatives and public utilities, other than electric
utilities, that are recognized as utilities by their applicable legal
authorities, are nonprofit in nature, have electrical facilities, and
are independently governed and financed.
D. Other eligible applicants.
[[Page 78224]]
9. In determining allocations, Western will consider existing
Federal power resource allocations of the applicants.
10. Western will base allocations to Native American tribes on
actual loads experienced in the most recent calendar year. Western may
use estimated load values if actual load data are not available.
Western will evaluate and may adjust inconsistent estimates during the
allocation process. Western is available to assist tribes in developing
load estimates.
11. Western will base allocations to eligible applicants on the
actual loads experienced in the most recent calendar year and will
apply current marketing criteria to these loads.
12. The minimum allocation will be 100 kW.
13. Contractors must execute electric service contracts within 6
months of receiving a contract offer from Western, unless Western
agrees otherwise in writing.
14. If unanticipated obstacles to the delivery of electric service
to a Native American tribe arise, Western retains the right to provide
the economic benefit of the resource directly to the tribe.
15. Existing Marketable Resource: Dependent upon available
resource, Western proposes extending the existing contract rates of
delivery commitments, with associated energy, to the existing SLCA/IP
long-term, firm power customers.
16. Hydrology and River Operations Withdrawal Provision: Western
will reserve the right to adjust, at its discretion and sole
determination, the contract rate of delivery on 5 years' advance
written notice in response to changes in hydrology and river
operations. Any such adjustments would occur after an appropriate
public process.
17. Service Seasons: The Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan supports
continuing the current SLCA/IP summer and winter seasons.
A. Summer Season: The 6-month period from the first day of the
April billing period through the last day of the September billing
period in any calendar year.
B. Winter Season: The 6-month period from the first day of the
October billing period of any calendar year through the last day of the
March billing period of the next succeeding calendar year.
18. Retention of Existing Contract Provisions: The Proposed 2025
Marketing Plan supports using the existing SLCA/IP firm electric
service contract provisions with only minor modifications. Customer
Displacement Power (CDP) and Western Replacement Power (WRP) contract
provisions will continue to be available in the new SLCA/IP firm
electric service contracts. The CDP and WRP provisions allow customers,
at their discretion, to augment hydropower allocations with purchase
power. Western reserves enough capacity on the CRSP transmission system
to deliver the maximum amount of hydropower the system is capable of
generating, which under certain conditions can sometime occur. In times
when hydropower deliveries are lower, this transmission capacity can be
made available for use by the customers. Under CDP, customers may elect
to use this reserved transmission capacity to deliver their own energy
resources in hours that it is needed to augment the hydropower
deliveries. WRP is similar to CDP, but customers request that Western
act as their agent and purchase energy available on the market to
augment hydropower deliveries.
Availability of Information
Documents developed or retained by Western during this public
process will be available, by appointment, for inspection and copying
at the CRSP MC, located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt
Lake City, Utah. Western will post information concerning the Proposed
2025 Marketing Plan on its Web site at: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/PowerMarketing/Pages/power-marketing.aspx. Written comments
received as part of the 2025 Marketing Plan formal public process will
be available for viewing on the Web site.
Procedural Requirements
Environmental Compliance
Western will evaluate this action for compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508),
and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 1021).
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: December 8, 2015.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-31619 Filed 12-15-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P