Provo River Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-189, 8583-8585 [2020-03019]

Download as PDF 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Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 250001 approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a final basis or until superseded.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]


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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.

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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.
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    \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.
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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\
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    \2\ 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347 (February 
21, 2019).
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    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\
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    \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.
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    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\
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    \4\ 50 FR 37,835 (September 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347 (February 
21, 2019).

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[[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.
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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.
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    \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).
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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
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