Falcon and Amistad Projects-Rate Order No. WAPA-186, 21771-21772 [2019-10057]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 15, 2019 / Notices Commission issues someone else a license for the project or otherwise orders disposition of the project. If the project is subject to section 15 of the FPA, notice is hereby given that an annual license for Project No. 1855 is issued to the licensee for a period effective May1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, or until the issuance of a new license for the project or other disposition under the FPA, whichever comes first. If issuance of a new license (or other disposition) does not take place on or before April 30, 2020, notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 18 CFR 16.18(c), an annual license under section 15(a)(1) of the FPA is renewed automatically without further order or notice by the Commission, unless the Commission orders otherwise. If the project is not subject to section 15 of the FPA, notice is hereby given that the licensee, Great River Hydro, LLC, is authorized to continue operation of the Bellows Falls Hydroelectric Project until such time as the Commission acts on its application for a subsequent license. Dated: May 9, 2019. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–10043 Filed 5–14–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Falcon and Amistad Projects—Rate Order No. WAPA–186 Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of rate order extending firm power formula rate. AGENCY: The Under Secretary of Energy approves, on an interim basis, the extension of the existing Falcon and Amistad Projects’ (Projects) firm power formula rate through June 7, 2024 and will submit them to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for confirmation and approval on a final basis. The existing firm power formula rate is set to expire June 7, 2019. This rate extension makes no change to the existing formula rate. DATES: The firm power formula rate will be placed into effect on an interim basis June 8, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven R. Johnson, Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Manager, CRSP Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 299 South Main Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111; (970) 252–3000; email johnsons@ jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:43 May 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 wapa.gov, or Mr. Thomas Hackett, Rates Manager, CRSP Management Center, (801) 524–5503 or email hackett@ wapa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and transmission rates to Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA) 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, or to remand or disapprove such rates, to FERC. In Delegation Order No. 00–002.00Q, effective November 1, 2018, the Secretary of Energy also delegated to the Under Secretary of Energy the authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect on an interim basis power and transmission rates for WAPA. This extension is issued in accordance with the Delegation Order and DOE rate extension procedures at 10 CFR 903.23(a). The Falcon and Amistad Dams are features of international water storage projects located on the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. Under the terms of Contract No. 7–07–50–P0890, dated August 9, 1977, as amended (Contract), WAPA markets the power from these dams to South Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (STEC). The firm power formula rate for the Projects was approved by the Federal Power Commission, predecessor of FERC, in Docket No. E–9566 on August 12, 1977 (59 FPC 1653), for a 5-year period effective on the date of initial operation of Amistad Power Plant, June 8, 1983.1 WAPA calculates the annual installment to be paid by STEC for the power generated at the Falcon and Amistad power plants on or before August 31 of the year preceding the fiscal year to which it pertains, and identifies this amount in a rate schedule. WAPA uses each annual installment to pay the annual amortized portion of the United States’ investment in the Falcon and Amistad hydroelectric facilities, with interest, and the associated operation, maintenance, and administrative costs. This repayment schedule is not dependent upon the power and energy made available for sale or the rate of generation each year. STEC, as the sole customer that takes 1 FERC subsequently approved multiple 5-year rate extensions of the same formula rate, most recently on April 9, 2015, in Docket No. EF14–9– 000, which extended the rate through June 7, 2019 (151 FERC ¶ 62,027). PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21771 service from the Projects, submitted a letter in support of this rate extension. Following DOE’s review of WAPA’s proposal,2 I hereby approve Rate Order No. WAPA–186 on an interim basis, which extends, without adjustment, the Projects’ firm power formula rate through June 7, 2024. Rate Order No. WAPA–186 will be submitted to FERC for confirmation and approval on a final basis. Dated: May 8, 2019. Mark W. Menezes, Under Secretary of Energy. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY UNDER SECRETARY In the matter of: Western Area Power Administration Extension for Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Firm Power Formula Rate) Rate Order No. WAPA–186 ORDER CONFIRMING, APPROVING, AND PLACING THE FALCON AND AMISTAD PROJECTS’ FIRM POWER FORMULA RATE INTO EFFECT ON AN INTERIM BASIS This Rate Order extends a firm power formula rate. The extension is undertaken pursuant to section 302 of the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152), which transferred to, and vested in, the Secretary of Energy the power marketing functions of the Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, under 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 specifically includes ‘‘the transmission and disposition of the electric power and energy generated at Falcon Dam and Amistad Dam, international storage reservoir projects on the Rio Grande, pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1954, as amended by the Act of December 23, 1963.’’ By Delegation Order No. 00–037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) the authority to develop power and transmission rates to the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA); (2) the authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect such rates 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, or to remand or disapprove such rates, to the Federal Energy Regulatory 2 WAPA’s proposal was published on December 26, 2018 (83 FR 66,257). E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1 21772 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 94 / Wednesday, May 15, 2019 / Notices Commission (FERC). By Delegation Order No. 00–002.00Q, effective November 1, 2018, the Secretary of Energy also delegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Under Secretary of Energy. This Rate Order’s extension is issued under the latter Delegation Order and DOE’s rate extension procedures as codified at 10 CFR 903.23(a).3 BACKGROUND On April 9, 2015, FERC confirmed, approved, and placed into effect Rate Order No. WAPA–164 for a 5 year period through June 7, 2019.4 On December 26, 2018, pursuant to 10 CFR 903.23(a), WAPA filed a notice in the Federal Register proposing to extend, without adjustment, the Falcon and Amistad Projects’ (Projects) firm power formula rate as Rate Order No. WAPA– 186.5 Consistent with the regulations at 10 CFR 903.23(a), WAPA held a consultation and comment period. WAPA received no comments during the consultation and comment period. WAPA did receive a letter from South Texas Electric Cooperative, the sole customer that takes service from the Projects, in support of extending the firm power formula rate, dated November 15, 2018. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES DISCUSSION The existing formula rate provides sufficient revenue to recover annual expenses, interest, and capital replacements within the cost recovery criteria set forth in DOE Order RA 6120.2. Annual expenses generally include operational expenses, such as salaries and benefits as well as incidental equipment costs. Equipment replacements and maintenance beyond recurring activities are considered capital replacements; these costs, along with the initial Federal investment in the Projects, are amortized with interest and repaid to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. A reconciliation of estimates to actual expenses is accomplished at the end of the rate period, and any differences are included in the following year’s revenue requirement. The requested extension period under Rate Order No. WAPA–186, June 8, 2019 through June 7, 2024, includes no adjustment to the formula rate. ORDER In view of the above, and under the authority delegated to me, I hereby 3 84 FR 5347 (2019). Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule on a Final Basis, FERC Docket No. EF14–9–000, 151 FERC ¶ 62,027 (2015). 5 83 FR 66257 (2018). 4 Order VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:43 May 14, 2019 Jkt 247001 extend, on an interim basis, WAPA’s existing firm power formula rate through June 7, 2024. This rate shall remain in effect on an interim basis, pending FERC’s confirmation and approval of this extension, or substitute rates, on a final basis. Dated: May 8, 2019 Mark W. Menezes Under Secretary of Energy Billing: Rate Schedule Falcon and Amistad Projects’ Firm Power Formula Rate UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION Falcon and Amistad Projects Firm Power Formula Rate Calculation EFFECTIVE: The first day of the first full billing period beginning on or after June 8, 1983, through June 7, 1988, or until superseded by another formula, whichever occurs earlier. Note: Extension of this firm power formula rate, for 5-year increments, was first approved by the Federal Power Commission, predecessor of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on August 12, 1977. FERC has subsequently approved the firm power formula rate on July 20, 1988, September 29, 1993, June 7, 1998, January 31, 2005, December 17, 2009, and April 9, 2015, for service through June 7, 2019. Rate Order No. WAPA– 186 extends this formula rate calculation through June 7, 2024. Available: In the area served by the Falcon and Amistad Projects (Projects). Applicable: To preference customers who are under contract with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to receive electric service from the Projects. Formula Rate: The existing formula rate provides sufficient revenue to recover annual expenses, interest, and capital replacements within the cost recovery criteria set forth in DOE Order RA 6120.2. Annual expenses generally include operational expenses, such as salaries and benefits as well as incidental equipment costs. Equipment replacements and maintenance beyond recurring activities are considered capital replacements; these costs, along Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 WAPA bills the South Texas Electric Cooperative, the sole customer that takes service from the Projects, on a monthly basis. Each monthly charge is equal to one twelfth of the Projects’ annual rate installment, rounded to the penny. [FR Doc. 2019–10057 Filed 5–14–19; 8:45 am] COLORADO RIVER STORAGE PROJECT MANAGEMENT CENTER PO 00000 with the initial Federal investment in the Projects, are amortized with interest and repaid to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. A reconciliation of estimates to actual expenses is accomplished at the end of the rate period, and any differences are included in the following year’s revenue requirement. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2016–0426; FRL–9993–61] TSCA Inventory Notification (ActiveInactive) Requirements; Availability of a Signed Action Identifying Chemical Substances for Inactive Designation Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: EPA is announcing the availability of a signed action identifying chemical substances for inactive designation according to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) Requirements rule. The signed action is a companion to the first version of the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory with all listings designated as active or identified as inactive, which was posted on the EPA TSCA inventory web page on February 19, 2019. The signed action, dated May 6, 2019, initiates a 90day period after which substances identified as inactive will be designated as inactive. DATES: Inactive designations for chemical substances on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory are effective on Monday, August 5, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: Tracy Williamson, Chemistry, Economics, and Sustainable Strategies Division (Mailcode 7406M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 564–8569; email address: williamson.tracy@ epa.gov. For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21771-21772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10057]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Falcon and Amistad Projects--Rate Order No. WAPA-186

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of rate order extending firm power formula rate.

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

SUMMARY: The Under Secretary of Energy approves, on an interim basis, 
the extension of the existing Falcon and Amistad Projects' (Projects) 
firm power formula rate through June 7, 2024 and will submit them to 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for confirmation and 
approval on a final basis. The existing firm power formula rate is set 
to expire June 7, 2019. This rate extension makes no change to the 
existing formula rate.

DATES: The firm power formula rate will be placed into effect on an 
interim basis June 8, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven R. Johnson, Colorado River 
Storage Project (CRSP) Manager, CRSP Management Center, Western Area 
Power Administration, 299 South Main Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, 
UT 84111; (970) 252-3000; email [email protected], or Mr. Thomas 
Hackett, Rates Manager, CRSP Management Center, (801) 524-5503 or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00B, 
effective November 19, 2016, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The 
authority to develop power and transmission rates to Western Area Power 
Administration's (WAPA) 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, or to remand or disapprove such 
rates, to FERC. In Delegation Order No. 00-002.00Q, effective November 
1, 2018, the Secretary of Energy also delegated to the Under Secretary 
of Energy the authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect on 
an interim basis power and transmission rates for WAPA. This extension 
is issued in accordance with the Delegation Order and DOE rate 
extension procedures at 10 CFR 903.23(a).
    The Falcon and Amistad Dams are features of international water 
storage projects located on the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. 
Under the terms of Contract No. 7-07-50-P0890, dated August 9, 1977, as 
amended (Contract), WAPA markets the power from these dams to South 
Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (STEC). The firm power formula rate 
for the Projects was approved by the Federal Power Commission, 
predecessor of FERC, in Docket No. E-9566 on August 12, 1977 (59 FPC 
1653), for a 5-year period effective on the date of initial operation 
of Amistad Power Plant, June 8, 1983.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ FERC subsequently approved multiple 5-year rate extensions 
of the same formula rate, most recently on April 9, 2015, in Docket 
No. EF14-9-000, which extended the rate through June 7, 2019 (151 
FERC ] 62,027).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    WAPA calculates the annual installment to be paid by STEC for the 
power generated at the Falcon and Amistad power plants on or before 
August 31 of the year preceding the fiscal year to which it pertains, 
and identifies this amount in a rate schedule. WAPA uses each annual 
installment to pay the annual amortized portion of the United States' 
investment in the Falcon and Amistad hydroelectric facilities, with 
interest, and the associated operation, maintenance, and administrative 
costs. This repayment schedule is not dependent upon the power and 
energy made available for sale or the rate of generation each year. 
STEC, as the sole customer that takes service from the Projects, 
submitted a letter in support of this rate extension.
    Following DOE's review of WAPA's proposal,\2\ I hereby approve Rate 
Order No. WAPA-186 on an interim basis, which extends, without 
adjustment, the Projects' firm power formula rate through June 7, 2024. 
Rate Order No. WAPA-186 will be submitted to FERC for confirmation and 
approval on a final basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ WAPA's proposal was published on December 26, 2018 (83 FR 
66,257).


Dated: May 8, 2019.
Mark W. Menezes,
Under Secretary of Energy.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

UNDER SECRETARY

    In the matter of: Western Area Power Administration Extension 
for Falcon and Amistad Projects' Firm Power Formula Rate)

Rate Order No. WAPA-186

ORDER CONFIRMING, APPROVING, AND PLACING THE FALCON AND AMISTAD 
PROJECTS' FIRM POWER FORMULA RATE INTO EFFECT ON AN INTERIM BASIS
    This Rate Order extends a firm power formula rate. The extension is 
undertaken pursuant to section 302 of the Department of Energy (DOE) 
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152), which transferred to, and vested in, 
the Secretary of Energy the power marketing functions of the Secretary 
of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, under 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 specifically includes ``the 
transmission and disposition of the electric power and energy generated 
at Falcon Dam and Amistad Dam, international storage reservoir projects 
on the Rio Grande, pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1954, as amended by 
the Act of December 23, 1963.''
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, 
the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) the authority to develop power 
and transmission rates to the Administrator of the Western Area Power 
Administration (WAPA); (2) the authority to confirm, approve, and place 
into effect such rates 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, or to remand or disapprove such rates, to the 
Federal Energy Regulatory

[[Page 21772]]

Commission (FERC). By Delegation Order No. 00-002.00Q, effective 
November 1, 2018, the Secretary of Energy also delegated the authority 
to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim 
basis to the Under Secretary of Energy. This Rate Order's extension is 
issued under the latter Delegation Order and DOE's rate extension 
procedures as codified at 10 CFR 903.23(a).\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 84 FR 5347 (2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUND

    On April 9, 2015, FERC confirmed, approved, and placed into effect 
Rate Order No. WAPA-164 for a 5 year period through June 7, 2019.\4\ On 
December 26, 2018, pursuant to 10 CFR 903.23(a), WAPA filed a notice in 
the Federal Register proposing to extend, without adjustment, the 
Falcon and Amistad Projects' (Projects) firm power formula rate as Rate 
Order No. WAPA-186.\5\ Consistent with the regulations at 10 CFR 
903.23(a), WAPA held a consultation and comment period. WAPA received 
no comments during the consultation and comment period. WAPA did 
receive a letter from South Texas Electric Cooperative, the sole 
customer that takes service from the Projects, in support of extending 
the firm power formula rate, dated November 15, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Order Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule on a Final 
Basis, FERC Docket No. EF14-9-000, 151 FERC ] 62,027 (2015).
    \5\ 83 FR 66257 (2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCUSSION

    The existing formula rate provides sufficient revenue to recover 
annual expenses, interest, and capital replacements within the cost 
recovery criteria set forth in DOE Order RA 6120.2. Annual expenses 
generally include operational expenses, such as salaries and benefits 
as well as incidental equipment costs. Equipment replacements and 
maintenance beyond recurring activities are considered capital 
replacements; these costs, along with the initial Federal investment in 
the Projects, are amortized with interest and repaid to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury. A reconciliation of estimates to actual 
expenses is accomplished at the end of the rate period, and any 
differences are included in the following year's revenue requirement.
    The requested extension period under Rate Order No. WAPA-186, June 
8, 2019 through June 7, 2024, includes no adjustment to the formula 
rate.

ORDER

    In view of the above, and under the authority delegated to me, I 
hereby extend, on an interim basis, WAPA's existing firm power formula 
rate through June 7, 2024. This rate shall remain in effect on an 
interim basis, pending FERC's confirmation and approval of this 
extension, or substitute rates, on a final basis.

 Dated: May 8, 2019

Mark W. Menezes
Under Secretary of Energy
Rate Schedule Falcon and Amistad Projects' Firm Power Formula Rate

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

COLORADO RIVER STORAGE PROJECT MANAGEMENT CENTER

Falcon and Amistad Projects

Firm Power Formula Rate Calculation

EFFECTIVE:

    The first day of the first full billing period beginning on or 
after June 8, 1983, through June 7, 1988, or until superseded by 
another formula, whichever occurs earlier. Note: Extension of this firm 
power formula rate, for 5-year increments, was first approved by the 
Federal Power Commission, predecessor of the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC), on August 12, 1977. FERC has subsequently approved 
the firm power formula rate on July 20, 1988, September 29, 1993, June 
7, 1998, January 31, 2005, December 17, 2009, and April 9, 2015, for 
service through June 7, 2019. Rate Order No. WAPA-186 extends this 
formula rate calculation through June 7, 2024.

Available:

    In the area served by the Falcon and Amistad Projects (Projects).

Applicable:

    To preference customers who are under contract with Western Area 
Power Administration (WAPA) to receive electric service from the 
Projects.

Formula Rate:

    The existing formula rate provides sufficient revenue to recover 
annual expenses, interest, and capital replacements within the cost 
recovery criteria set forth in DOE Order RA 6120.2. Annual expenses 
generally include operational expenses, such as salaries and benefits 
as well as incidental equipment costs. Equipment replacements and 
maintenance beyond recurring activities are considered capital 
replacements; these costs, along with the initial Federal investment in 
the Projects, are amortized with interest and repaid to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury. A reconciliation of estimates to actual 
expenses is accomplished at the end of the rate period, and any 
differences are included in the following year's revenue requirement.

Billing:

    WAPA bills the South Texas Electric Cooperative, the sole customer 
that takes service from the Projects, on a monthly basis. Each monthly 
charge is equal to one twelfth of the Projects' annual rate 
installment, rounded to the penny.

[FR Doc. 2019-10057 Filed 5-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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