Provo River Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-189, 8583-8585 [2020-03019]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Notices
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology. This information collection
request contains: (1) OMB No.: 1910–
5127; (2) Information Collection Request
Title: ‘‘Weatherization Assistance
Program (WAP)’’; (3) Type of Review:
Revision of a Currently Approved
Collection; (4) Purpose: To collect
information on the status of grantee
activities, expenditures, and results, to
ensure that program funds are being
used appropriately, effectively and
expeditiously; per House Report 115–
929, DOE will begin tracking the
occurrence of window replacements,
which supports the reduction of leadbased paint hazards in homes; (5)
Annual Estimated Number of
Respondents: 57; (6) Annual Estimated
Number of Total Responses: 399; (7)
Annual Estimated Number of Burden
Hours: 1254; (8) Annual Estimated
Reporting and Recordkeeping Cost
Burden: $33,228.72.
Statutory Authority: Title V, National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Pub. L. 89–
665 as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
Signed in Washington, DC, February 5,
2020.
AnnaMaria Garcia,
Director, Weatherization and
Intergovernmental Programs, Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020–03015 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Provo River Project—Rate Order No.
WAPA–189
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of rate order concerning
firm power formula rate.
AGENCY:
The Assistant Secretary,
Office of Electricity, confirms, approves,
and places into effect, on an interim
basis, the firm power formula rate for
the Provo River Project (Provisional
Formula Rate). The existing firm power
formula rate under Rate Schedule Provo
River Formula Rate PR–1 is set to expire
on March 31, 2020. This rate action
makes no change to the existing formula
rate.
DATES: The Provisional Formula Rate
under Rate Schedule Provo River
Formula Rate PR–2 is effective on the
first day of the first full billing period
beginning on or after April 1, 2020, and
will remain in effect through March 31,
2025, pending confirmation and
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:56 Feb 13, 2020
Jkt 250001
approval by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a
final basis or until superseded.
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, (801) 524–6372, email johnsons@
wapa.gov; or Mr. Thomas Hackett, Rates
Manager, CRSP Management Center,
(801) 524–5503, or email: CRSPMC-rateadj@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
November 2, 2010, FERC confirmed,
approved, and placed into effect the
existing formula rate, which is set to
expire on March 31, 2020.1 The existing
formula rate provides sufficient revenue
to recover annual expenses, including
interest expense, and repay capital
investments within the cost recovery
criteria set forth in Department of
Energy (DOE) Order RA 6120.2.
Legal Authority
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 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 on a final
basis, remand, or disapprove such rates
to FERC. In Delegation Order No. 00–
002.00S, effective January 15, 2020, 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. By
Redelegation Order No. 00–002.10D,
effective June 4, 2019, the Under
Secretary of Energy further delegated
the authority to confirm, approve, and
place such rates into effect on an
interim basis to the Assistant Secretary,
Office of Electricity. This rate action is
issued under the Redelegation Order
and DOE’s procedures for public
participation in rate adjustments set
forth at 10 CFR part 903.2
Following DOE’s review of WAPA’s
proposal, I hereby confirm, approve,
and place Rate Order No. WAPA–189,
which provides the firm power formula
rate for the Provo River Project, into
effect on an interim basis. WAPA will
1 FERC approved consecutive 5-year rate
extensions of the same formula rate in Docket Nos.
EF10–5–000 (133 FERC ¶ 62,112 (2010)) and EF15–
6–000 (151 FERC ¶ 62,223 (2015)), extending the
rate through March 31, 2020.
2 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR
5347 (February 21, 2019).
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8583
submit Rate Order No. WAPA–189 to
FERC for confirmation and approval on
a final basis.
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Bruce J. Walker,
Assistant Secretary for Electricity.
Department of Energy
Assistant Secretary for Electricity
In the matter of: Western Area Power
Administration Rate Adjustment for the
Provo River Project, Firm Power
Formula Rate
Rate Order No. WAPA–189
Order Confirming, Approving, and
Placing the Firm Power Formula Rate
for the Provo River Project Into Effect
on an Interim Basis
The formula rate in Rate Order No.
WAPA–189 is established pursuant to
section 302 of the Department of Energy
(DOE) Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
7152).3
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 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 on a final
basis, remand, or disapprove such rates
to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC). By Delegation
Order No. 00–002.00S, effective January
15, 2020, 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. By Redelegation
Order No. 00–002.10D, effective June 4,
2019, the Under Secretary of Energy
further delegated the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity. This
rate action is issued under the
Redelegation Order and DOE’s
procedures for public participation in
rate adjustments set forth at 10 CFR part
903.4
3 This Act transferred to, and vested in, the
Secretary of Energy the power marketing functions
of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior
and the Bureau of Reclamation (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 other
acts that specifically apply to the project involved.
4 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR
5347 (February 21, 2019).
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
8584
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Notices
Acronyms, Terms, and Definitions
As used in this Rate Order, the
following acronyms, terms, and
definitions apply:
DOE Order RA 6120.2: An order
outlining Power Marketing
Administration financial reporting and
ratemaking procedures.
Energy: Measured in terms of the
work it is capable of doing over a period
of time. Electric energy is expressed in
kilowatt-hours.
Firm: A type of product and/or service
always available at the time requested
by a Customer.
Provisional Formula Rate: A formula
rate confirmed, approved, and placed
into effect on an interim basis by the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity.
Revenue Requirement: The revenue
required to recover annual expenses
(such as operation and maintenance,
transmission service expenses, interest,
and deferred expenses) and repay
Federal investments and other assigned
costs.
Effective Date
The Provisional Formula Rate, under
Rate Schedule Provo River Formula Rate
PR–2, will take effect on the first day of
the first full billing period beginning on
or after April 1, 2020, and will remain
in effect through March 31, 2025,
pending approval by FERC on a final
basis or until superseded.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Public Notice and Comment
WAPA followed the Procedures for
Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and
Extensions, 10 CFR part 903, in
developing this formula rate.5 Following
are the steps WAPA took to involve
interested parties in the rate process:
1. On July 17, 2019, a Federal
Register notice (84 FR 34175) (Proposal
FRN) announced the proposed
continuation of the existing firm power
formula rate and launched the 30-day
public consultation and comment
period to give the public an opportunity
to comment on the proposed formula
rate.
2. On July 19, 2019, WAPA emailed
letters to preference customers and
interested parties transmitting a copy of
the Proposal FRN.
3. WAPA provided a website
containing all dates, customer letters,
presentations, FRNs, and other
information about this rate process. The
website is located at (https://
www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/
Pages/rate-order-189.aspx).
5 The proposed action is a minor rate adjustment,
as defined by 10 CFR 903.2(f).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:56 Feb 13, 2020
Jkt 250001
4. During the 30-day consultation and
comment period, which ended on
August 16, 2019, WAPA did not receive
any verbal or written comments.
Existing Firm Power Rate
WAPA markets the output of the PRP
to the Utah Associated Municipal Power
Systems, Utah Municipal Power
Agency, and Heber Light and Power
(Customers).6 The Customers receive all
marketable power generation from the
PRP and pay the annual revenue
requirement in 12 monthly installments
based on the estimated operation,
maintenance, interest, and replacement
costs for the Deer Creek Power Plant.
The payments do not depend upon the
power and energy made available for
sale each year. At the end of each fiscal
year, WAPA reconciles estimates to
actual expenses and includes any
differences in the following fiscal year’s
revenue requirement.
Basis for Rate Development
WAPA is continuing use of its
existing firm power formula rate. The
Provisional Formula Rate, under Rate
Schedule Provo River Formula Rate
PR–2, will provide sufficient revenue to
pay all annual costs, including interest
expenses, and repay investments and
irrigation aid within the allowable
periods.
Certification of Rates
WAPA’s Administrator certified that
the Provisional Formula Rate, under
Rate Schedule Provo River Formula Rate
PR–2, is the lowest possible rate,
consistent with sound business
principles. The Provisional Formula
Rate was developed following
administrative policies and applicable
laws.
www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/
Pages/rate-order-189.aspx.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
WAPA has determined that this
action is categorically excluded from the
preparation of an environmental
assessment or an environmental impact
statement.7 A copy of the categorical
exclusion determination is available on
WAPA’s website at https://
www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/
Pages/rate-order-189.aspx.
Determination Under Executive Order
12866
WAPA 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.
Submission to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission
The Provisional Formula Rate herein
confirmed, approved, and placed into
effect on an interim basis, together with
supporting documents, will be
submitted to FERC for confirmation and
final approval.
Order
In view of the above, and under the
authority delegated to me, I hereby
confirm, approve, and place into effect,
on an interim basis, Rate Order No.
WAPA–189. The rate will remain in
effect on an interim basis until: (1) FERC
confirms and approves it on a final
basis; (2) a subsequent rate is confirmed
and approved; or (3) such rate is
superseded.
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Bruce J. Walker,
Assistant Secretary for Electricity
Availability of Information
United States Department of Energy
Western Area Power Administration
Information about this rate
adjustment, including the power
repayment study, letters,
memorandums, and other supporting
materials that were used to develop the
Provisional Formula Rate, is available
for inspection and copying at the
Colorado River Storage Project
Management Center, Western Area
Power Administration, 299 South Main
Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Many of these documents are also
available on WAPA’s website at: https://
Colorado River Storage Project
Management Center Provo River Project
6 WAPA provides electric service to the
Customers under contracts that will expire
September 30, 2024. WAPA intends to execute new
contracts and a new marketing plan to be effective
October 1, 2024; however, these will be done in a
separate public process and will not impact this
rate action.
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Formula Rate
Effective
The first day of the first full billing
period beginning on or after April 1,
2020, through March 31, 2025, or until
superseded by another formula,
whichever occurs earlier.
Available
Customers of the Provo River Project.
7 The determination was done in compliance with
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347; 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).
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Notices
Applicable
To preference customers under
contract (Contractor) with WAPA.
Power Formula Rate
Rate Formula Provisions are
contained in the service agreement.
Service agreements currently are
Contract Nos. 94–SLC–0253, 94–SLC–
0254, and 07–SLC–0601, as
supplemented.
Billing
Billing will be as specified in the
service agreement.
Adjustment for Losses
Not applicable.
[FR Doc. 2020–03019 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[ER–FRL–9049–4]
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Environmental Impact Statements;
Notice of Availability
Responsible Agency: Office of Federal
Activities, General Information 202–
564–5632 or https://www.epa.gov/
nepa/.
Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact
Statements
Filed February 3, 2020, 10 a.m. EST
through February 10, 2020, 10 a.m.
EST
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9.
Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act
requires that EPA make public its
comments on EISs issued by other
Federal agencies. EPA’s comment letters
on EISs are available at: https://
cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/
action/eis/search.
EIS No. 20200030, Draft, USAF, TX,
F–35A Operational Beddown—Air
Force Reserve Command, Comment
Period Ends: 03/30/2020, Contact:
Hamid Kamalpour 210–925–2738
EIS No. 20200031, Final, BLM, MT,
Missoula Proposed Resource
Management Plan and Final EIS,
Review Period Ends: 03/16/2020,
Contact: Maggie Ward 406–329–3914
EIS No. 20200032, Final, BLM, MT,
Lewistown Proposed Resource
Management Plan and Final EIS,
Review Period Ends: 03/16/2020,
Contact: Dan Brunkhorst 406–538–
1981
EIS No. 20200033, Final, BLM, NV,
Coeur Rochester and Packard Mines
POA11 Project, Review Period Ends:
03/16/2020, Contact: Kathleen
Rehberg 775–623–1500
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:56 Feb 13, 2020
Jkt 250001
EIS No. 20200034, Draft, USFS, NC,
Nantahala and Pisgah NFs DEIS for
the Proposed Land Management Plan,
Comment Period Ends: 05/14/2020,
Contact: Heather Luczak 828–257–
4817
EIS No. 20200035, Final Supplement,
TVA, TN, Update of TVA’s Natural
Resource Plan, Review Period Ends:
03/16/2020, Contact: Matthew Higdon
865–632–8051
EIS No. 20200036, Final, BLM, ID,
Programmatic EIS for Fuel Breaks in
the Great Basin, Review Period Ends:
03/16/2020, Contact: Ammon
Wilhelm 208–373–3824
EIS No. 20200037, Final, BLM, ID, Four
Rivers Field Office Proposed Resource
Management Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Statement,
Review Period Ends: 03/16/2020,
Contact: Brent Ralston 208–384–3300
EIS No. 20200038, Final, FRA, MS, Port
Bienville Railroad Combined Final
Environmental Impact Statement and
Record of Decision, Contact: Kevin
Wright 202–493–0845
Under 23 U.S.C. 139(n)(2), FRA has
issued a single document that consists
of a final environmental impact
statement and record of decision.
Therefore, the 30-day wait/review
period under NEPA does not apply to
this action.
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Cindy S. Barger,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office
of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 2020–03027 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0901; FRL–10005–26–
OAR]
Proposed Information Collection
Request; Comment Request;
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
and Nonattainment New Source
Review (Renewal)
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an
information collection request (ICR),
‘‘Prevention of Significant Deterioration
and Nonattainment New Source
Review’’ (EPA ICR No. 1230.33, OMB
Control No. 2060–0003) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval in accordance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
Before doing so, the EPA is soliciting
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8585
public comments on specific aspects of
the proposed information collection as
described below. This is a proposed
renewal of the ICR, which is currently
approved through October 31, 2020. 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: Comments must be submitted on
or before April 14, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2011–0901, online using
www.regulations.gov (our preferred
method) by email to a-and-r-docket@
epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA Docket
Center, Environmental Protection
Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460.
The EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change 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: Ben
Garwood, Air Quality Policy Division,
Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, C504–03, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709;
telephone number: (919) 541–1358; fax
number: (919) 541–4028; email address:
garwood.ben@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Supporting documents which explain in
detail the information that the EPA will
be collecting are available in the public
docket for this ICR. The docket can be
viewed online at www.regulations.gov
or in person at the EPA Docket Center,
WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The telephone number for the Docket
Center is (202) 566–1744. For additional
information about the EPA’s public
docket, visit https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the PRA, the EPA is soliciting comments
and information to enable it to: (i)
Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the Agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (ii) evaluate the
accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(iii) enhance the quality, utility, and
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8583-8585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03019]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Provo River Project--Rate Order No. WAPA-189
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of rate order concerning firm power formula rate.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity, confirms,
approves, and places into effect, on an interim basis, the firm power
formula rate for the Provo River Project (Provisional Formula Rate).
The existing firm power formula rate under Rate Schedule Provo River
Formula Rate PR-1 is set to expire on March 31, 2020. This rate action
makes no change to the existing formula rate.
DATES: The Provisional Formula Rate under Rate Schedule Provo River
Formula Rate PR-2 is effective on the first day of the first full
billing period beginning on or after April 1, 2020, and will remain in
effect through March 31, 2025, pending confirmation and approval by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a final basis or until
superseded.
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, (801) 524-6372, email [email protected]; or Mr. Thomas
Hackett, Rates Manager, CRSP Management Center, (801) 524-5503, or
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 2, 2010, FERC confirmed,
approved, and placed into effect the existing formula rate, which is
set to expire on March 31, 2020.\1\ The existing formula rate provides
sufficient revenue to recover annual expenses, including interest
expense, and repay capital investments within the cost recovery
criteria set forth in Department of Energy (DOE) Order RA 6120.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ FERC approved consecutive 5-year rate extensions of the same
formula rate in Docket Nos. EF10-5-000 (133 FERC ] 62,112 (2010))
and EF15-6-000 (151 FERC ] 62,223 (2015)), extending the rate
through March 31, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Authority
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 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 on a final basis,
remand, or disapprove such rates to FERC. In Delegation Order No. 00-
002.00S, effective January 15, 2020, 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. By
Redelegation Order No. 00-002.10D, effective June 4, 2019, the Under
Secretary of Energy further delegated the authority to confirm,
approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the
Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity. This rate action is issued
under the Redelegation Order and DOE's procedures for public
participation in rate adjustments set forth at 10 CFR part 903.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347 (February
21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following DOE's review of WAPA's proposal, I hereby confirm,
approve, and place Rate Order No. WAPA-189, which provides the firm
power formula rate for the Provo River Project, into effect on an
interim basis. WAPA will submit Rate Order No. WAPA-189 to FERC for
confirmation and approval on a final basis.
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Bruce J. Walker,
Assistant Secretary for Electricity.
Department of Energy
Assistant Secretary for Electricity
In the matter of: Western Area Power Administration Rate Adjustment
for the Provo River Project, Firm Power Formula Rate
Rate Order No. WAPA-189
Order Confirming, Approving, and Placing the Firm Power Formula Rate
for the Provo River Project Into Effect on an Interim Basis
The formula rate in Rate Order No. WAPA-189 is established pursuant
to section 302 of the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act (42
U.S.C. 7152).\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ This Act transferred to, and vested in, the Secretary of
Energy the power marketing functions of the Secretary of the
Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation
(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 other acts that specifically apply to the project
involved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 on a final basis,
remand, or disapprove such rates to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC). By Delegation Order No. 00-002.00S, effective
January 15, 2020, 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. By Redelegation Order No. 00-
002.10D, effective June 4, 2019, the Under Secretary of Energy further
delegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into
effect on an interim basis to the Assistant Secretary for Electricity.
This rate action is issued under the Redelegation Order and DOE's
procedures for public participation in rate adjustments set forth at 10
CFR part 903.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347 (February
21, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 8584]]
Acronyms, Terms, and Definitions
As used in this Rate Order, the following acronyms, terms, and
definitions apply:
DOE Order RA 6120.2: An order outlining Power Marketing
Administration financial reporting and ratemaking procedures.
Energy: Measured in terms of the work it is capable of doing over a
period of time. Electric energy is expressed in kilowatt-hours.
Firm: A type of product and/or service always available at the time
requested by a Customer.
Provisional Formula Rate: A formula rate confirmed, approved, and
placed into effect on an interim basis by the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity.
Revenue Requirement: The revenue required to recover annual
expenses (such as operation and maintenance, transmission service
expenses, interest, and deferred expenses) and repay Federal
investments and other assigned costs.
Effective Date
The Provisional Formula Rate, under Rate Schedule Provo River
Formula Rate PR-2, will take effect on the first day of the first full
billing period beginning on or after April 1, 2020, and will remain in
effect through March 31, 2025, pending approval by FERC on a final
basis or until superseded.
Public Notice and Comment
WAPA followed the Procedures for Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions, 10 CFR part 903, in
developing this formula rate.\5\ Following are the steps WAPA took to
involve interested parties in the rate process:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The proposed action is a minor rate adjustment, as defined
by 10 CFR 903.2(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. On July 17, 2019, a Federal Register notice (84 FR 34175)
(Proposal FRN) announced the proposed continuation of the existing firm
power formula rate and launched the 30-day public consultation and
comment period to give the public an opportunity to comment on the
proposed formula rate.
2. On July 19, 2019, WAPA emailed letters to preference customers
and interested parties transmitting a copy of the Proposal FRN.
3. WAPA provided a website containing all dates, customer letters,
presentations, FRNs, and other information about this rate process. The
website is located at (https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/Pages/rate-order-189.aspx).
4. During the 30-day consultation and comment period, which ended
on August 16, 2019, WAPA did not receive any verbal or written
comments.
Existing Firm Power Rate
WAPA markets the output of the PRP to the Utah Associated Municipal
Power Systems, Utah Municipal Power Agency, and Heber Light and Power
(Customers).\6\ The Customers receive all marketable power generation
from the PRP and pay the annual revenue requirement in 12 monthly
installments based on the estimated operation, maintenance, interest,
and replacement costs for the Deer Creek Power Plant. The payments do
not depend upon the power and energy made available for sale each year.
At the end of each fiscal year, WAPA reconciles estimates to actual
expenses and includes any differences in the following fiscal year's
revenue requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ WAPA provides electric service to the Customers under
contracts that will expire September 30, 2024. WAPA intends to
execute new contracts and a new marketing plan to be effective
October 1, 2024; however, these will be done in a separate public
process and will not impact this rate action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis for Rate Development
WAPA is continuing use of its existing firm power formula rate. The
Provisional Formula Rate, under Rate Schedule Provo River Formula Rate
PR-2, will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs,
including interest expenses, and repay investments and irrigation aid
within the allowable periods.
Certification of Rates
WAPA's Administrator certified that the Provisional Formula Rate,
under Rate Schedule Provo River Formula Rate PR-2, is the lowest
possible rate, consistent with sound business principles. The
Provisional Formula Rate was developed following administrative
policies and applicable laws.
Availability of Information
Information about this rate adjustment, including the power
repayment study, letters, memorandums, and other supporting materials
that were used to develop the Provisional Formula Rate, is available
for inspection and copying at the Colorado River Storage Project
Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 299 South Main
Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, Utah. Many of these documents are
also available on WAPA's website at: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/Pages/rate-order-189.aspx.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
WAPA has determined that this action is categorically excluded from
the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental
impact statement.\7\ A copy of the categorical exclusion determination
is available on WAPA's website at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/Pages/rate-order-189.aspx.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The determination was done in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-
4347; 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determination Under Executive Order 12866
WAPA 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.
Submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Provisional Formula Rate herein confirmed, approved, and placed
into effect on an interim basis, together with supporting documents,
will be submitted to FERC for confirmation and final approval.
Order
In view of the above, and under the authority delegated to me, I
hereby confirm, approve, and place into effect, on an interim basis,
Rate Order No. WAPA-189. The rate will remain in effect on an interim
basis until: (1) FERC confirms and approves it on a final basis; (2) a
subsequent rate is confirmed and approved; or (3) such rate is
superseded.
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Bruce J. Walker,
Assistant Secretary for Electricity
United States Department of Energy Western Area Power Administration
Colorado River Storage Project Management Center Provo River Project
Formula Rate
Effective
The first day of the first full billing period beginning on or
after April 1, 2020, through March 31, 2025, or until superseded by
another formula, whichever occurs earlier.
Available
Customers of the Provo River Project.
[[Page 8585]]
Applicable
To preference customers under contract (Contractor) with WAPA.
Power Formula Rate
Rate Formula Provisions are contained in the service agreement.
Service agreements currently are Contract Nos. 94-SLC-0253, 94-SLC-
0254, and 07-SLC-0601, as supplemented.
Billing
Billing will be as specified in the service agreement.
Adjustment for Losses
Not applicable.
[FR Doc. 2020-03019 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
