Boulder Canyon Project, 53809-53811 [2020-19116]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 169 / Monday, August 31, 2020 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER20–2717–000]
Combined Notice of Filings
August 25, 2020.
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Docket Numbers: RP20–1115–000.
Applicants: Alliance Pipeline L.P.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Addition of Stevens County MN18
Receipt Point to be effective 10/1/2020.
Filed Date: 8/24/20.
Accession Number: 20200824–5113.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/8/20.
Docket Numbers: RP20–1117–000.
Applicants: Rockies Express Pipeline
LLC.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: REX
2020–08–21 Negotiated Rate Agreement
to be effective 8/22/2020.
Filed Date: 8/24/20.
Accession Number: 20200824–5128.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/8/20.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/
fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
Any person desiring to intervene or
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified date(s). Protests
may be considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
Dated: August 25, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–19110 Filed 8–28–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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Crossing Trails Wind Power Project
LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial
Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
Request For Blanket Section 204
Authorization
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Crossing
Trails Wind Power Project LLC’s
application for market-based rate
authority, with an accompanying rate
tariff, noting that such application
includes a request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is September
14, 2020.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
may mail similar pleadings to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
20426. Hand delivered submissions in
docketed proceedings should be
delivered to Health and Human
Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Enter
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53809
the docket number excluding the last
three digits in the docket number field
to access the document. At this time, the
Commission has suspended access to
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room, due to the proclamation
declaring a National Emergency
concerning the Novel Coronavirus
Disease (COVID–19), issued by the
President on March 13, 2020. For
assistance, contact the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
Dated: August 25, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–19114 Filed 8–28–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
Western Area Power
Administration, Energy (DOE).
AGENCY:
Notice concerning fiscal year
2021 Boulder Canyon Project base
charge and rates for electric service.
ACTION:
The Assistant Secretary for
Electricity confirms, approves, and
places into effect on a final basis the
Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) base
charge and rates for fiscal year (FY)
2021 under Rate Schedule BCP–F10.
The base charge decreased 1.5 percent
from $66.4 million in FY 2020 to $65.4
million in FY 2021. The reduction is
primarily the result of an increase in
prior year carryover funds.
SUMMARY:
The FY 2021 base charge and
rates will be effective October 1, 2020
and will remain in effect through
September 30, 2021.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracey A. LeBeau, Regional Manager,
Desert Southwest Region, Western Area
Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457,
Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, (602) 605–
2525, or dswpwrmrk@wapa.gov; or Tina
Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert
Southwest Region, Western Area Power
Administration, (602) 605–2565, or
ramsey@wapa.gov.
On June 6,
2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) confirmed and
approved Rate Schedule BCP–F10 under
Rate Order No. WAPA–178 on a final
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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53810
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 169 / Monday, August 31, 2020 / Notices
basis through September 30, 2022.1 The
rate-setting methodology for BCP
calculates an annual base charge rather
than a unit rate for Hoover Dam
hydropower. The base charge recovers
an annual revenue requirement that
includes Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA) and Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) projected
costs of investment repayment, interest,
operations and maintenance (O&M),
replacements, payments to States, and
Hoover Dam visitor services. Non-power
revenue projections such as water sales,
Hoover Dam visitor center revenue,
ancillary services, and late fees help
offset these projected costs. Customers
are billed a percentage of the base
charge in proportion to their Hoover
power allocation. Rates are calculated
for comparative purposes but are not
used to determine the charges for
service.
Rate Schedule BCP–F10 and the BCP
Electric Service Contract require WAPA
to determine the annual base charge and
rates for the next FY before October 1
of each year. The FY 2020 BCP base
charge and rates expire on September
30, 2020.
COMPARISON OF BASE CHARGE AND RATES
Base Charge ($) ..............................................................................................
Composite Rate (mills/kWh) ............................................................................
Energy Rate (mills/kWh) ..................................................................................
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo) ................................................................................
A $3 million increase in prior year
carryover funds significantly
contributed to the FY 2021 base charge
reduction of 1.5 percent from the FY
2020 base charge. In addition,
Reclamation’s FY 2021 budget increased
by $470,000 to $76.2 million, a 0.6
percent increase from FY 2020. The
difference between Reclamation’s $3.2
million decrease in O&M expenses and
a $3.4 million increase in replacement
costs accounts for most of the budget
increase. WAPA’s FY 2021 budget
decreased by $370,000 to $8.4 million,
a 4.2 percent decline from FY 2020. A
reduction in O&M expenses and the
elimination of WAPA’s contingency
funds resulted in the budget decrease.
Although there is a 1.5 percent
reduction to the FY 2021 base charge,
the composite and energy rates are both
slightly increasing from FY 2020 due to
a forecasted decrease in energy from the
long-term drought in the Lower
Colorado River Basin. The capacity rate,
which represents a 3.4 percent
reduction from the FY 2020 rate, is
decreasing due to changes in capacity
projections and the FY 2021 base
charge.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Public Notice and Comment
The notice of the proposed FY 2021
base charge and rates for electric service
was published consistent with
procedures set forth in 10 CFR part 903
and 10 CFR part 904. WAPA took the
following steps to involve customers
and interested parties in the rate
process:
1. On April 6, 2020, a Federal
Register notice (85 FR 19144)
announced the proposed base charge
FY 2020
FY 2021
Amount
change
$66,419,402
18.08
9.04
1.75
$65,443,462
18.10
9.05
1.69
¥$975,940
0.02
0.01
¥0.06
and rates and initiated the 90-day public
consultation and comment period.
2. On May 6, 2020, WAPA held a
public information forum by web
conference. WAPA and Reclamation
representatives explained the proposed
base charge and rates, answered
questions, and posted the presentation
materials to WAPA’s website.
3. On June 5, 2020, WAPA held a
public comment forum by web
conference to provide customers and
interested parties an opportunity to
comment for the record. WAPA received
no comments during this forum.
4. On July 6, 2020, the public
consultation and comment period ended
with WAPA receiving two comment
letters. The comments appear below,
paraphrased where appropriate without
compromising their meaning.
Comment: Both commenters thanked
WAPA and Reclamation for their efforts
to decrease the BCP base charge and
electric service rates for FY 2021 amid
the COVID–19 pandemic. They
applauded efforts by Reclamation to
mitigate revenue losses due to the
pandemic’s effects on tourism.
Response: WAPA and Reclamation
acknowledge the comments. Non-power
revenue projections decreased by $4
million since publication of the
proposed base charge and rates due to
the closing of the Hoover Dam visitor
center as a result of the pandemic.
Reclamation reduced FY 2021 O&M and
replacement costs by $4 million to
maintain the proposed decrease to the
FY 2021 base charge.
Comment: A commenter had concerns
about future costs for the landfill
mitigation, post-retirement benefit costs,
and the potential for a continued
19:30 Aug 28, 2020
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¥1.5
0.1
0.1
¥3.4
decrease in Hoover Dam visitor center
tourism revenue.
Response: WAPA and Reclamation
will continue to work with the BCP
contractors on moderating future costs.
Comment: A commenter requested
that future maintenance schedules be
adjusted to minimize capacity
downtime in the summer.
Response: Reclamation plans to
continue to limit routine maintenance
from May through October to provide
maximum available capacity to the BCP
contractors.
Certification of Rates
WAPA’s Administrator certified that
the FY 2021 base charge and rates under
Rate Schedule BCP–F10 are the lowest
possible rates consistent with sound
business principles. The base charge
and rates were developed following
administrative policies and applicable
laws.
Availability of Information
Information about the rate process to
establish the FY 2021 base charge and
rates was made available on WAPA’s
website at https://www.wapa.gov/
regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/bouldercanyon-rates.aspx.
Legal Authority
10 CFR 904.7(e) requires annual
review of the BCP base charge and an
adjustment, either upward or
downward, when necessary and
administratively feasible to assure
sufficient revenues to effect payment of
all costs and financial obligations
associated with the project. WAPA’s
Administrator provided all BCP
contractors an opportunity to comment
1 Order Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule
on a Final Basis, FERC Docket No. EF18–1–000, 163
FERC ¶ 62,154 (2018).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Percent
change
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 169 / Monday, August 31, 2020 / Notices
on the proposed base charge adjustment
consistent with the procedures for
public participation in rate adjustments
as required under 10 CFR 904.7(e) and
the BCP Electric Service Contract. The
BCP Electric Service Contract goes on to
state that in years other than the first
and fifth years of a rate schedule
approved by the Deputy Secretary on a
provisional basis and by FERC on a final
basis, adjustments to the base charge
‘‘shall be effective upon approval by the
Deputy Secretary of Energy.’’ Under the
Department of Energy Organization Act,
the Secretary of Energy holds plenary
authority over Department of Energy
affairs with respect to the Power
Marketing Administrations, and the
Secretary of Energy may therefore
exercise the Deputy Secretary’s
contractual authority in this context. By
Delegation Order No. 00–002.00S,
effective January 15, 2020, the Secretary
of Energy delegated to the Under
Secretary of Energy the authority vested
in the Secretary with respect to WAPA.
By Redelegation Order No. 00–002.10E,
effective February 14, 2020, the Under
Secretary of Energy delegated to the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity the
same authority with respect to WAPA.
By Redelegation Order No. 00–002.10–
5, effective July 8, 2020, the Assistant
Secretary for Electricity delegated to
WAPA’s Administrator the same
authority with respect to WAPA.
However, based upon the governing
terms of existing BCP Electric Service
Contract, the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity is approving the FY 2021
base charge and rates for BCP electric
service. This rate action is issued under
the Redelegation Orders and
Department of Energy (DOE) procedures
for public participation in rate
adjustments set forth at 10 CFR part 903
and 10 CFR part 904.3
Following DOE’s review of WAPA’s
proposal, and as authorized by
applicable provisions of the BCP
Electric Service Contract, I hereby
confirm, approve, and place the FY
2021 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service, under Rate Schedule
BCP–F10, into effect on a final basis
through September 30, 2021.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, 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
3 50 FR 37835 (Sept. 18, 1985); 85 FR 19144 (Apr.
6, 2020).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:30 Aug 28, 2020
Jkt 250001
Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), WAPA
has determined that this action is
categorically excluded from preparing
an environmental assessment or an
environmental impact statement.
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.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on August 24, 2020,
by Bruce J. Walker, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Electricity, pursuant to
delegated authority from the Secretary
of Energy. That document, with the
original signature and date, is
maintained by DOE. For administrative
purposes only, and in compliance with
requirements of the Office of the Federal
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been
authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for
publication, as an official document of
the Department of Energy. This
administrative process in no way alters
the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 26,
2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020–19116 Filed 8–28–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[CERCLA–10–2020–0105; FRL–10013–76Region 10]
Proposed CERCLA Administrative
Cashout Settlement; S.C. Breen
Construction Company
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice; request for public
comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with Section
122(i) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act., as
amended (‘‘CERCLA’’), notice is hereby
given of a proposed administrative
settlement for recovery of past and
projected future response costs
concerning the Hamilton/Labree Roads
Groundwater Contamination Site in
Chehalis, Washington, with the
SUMMARY:
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53811
following settling party: S.C. Breen
Construction Company. The settlement
requires the settling party to pay
$3,250,000 to the Hazardous Substance
Superfund. The settlement includes a
covenant not to sue the settling party.
For thirty (30) days following the date
of publication of this document, the
Agency will receive written comments
relating to the settlement. The Agency
will consider all comments and may
modify or withdraw its consent to the
settlement if comments received
disclose facts or considerations which
indicate that the settlement is
inappropriate, improper, or inadequate.
The Agency’s response to any comments
received will be available electronically
for public inspection at https://
www.regulations.gov.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before September 30, 2020.
ADDRESSES: The proposed settlement is
available electronically for public
inspection at https://
www.regulations.gov. Submit your
comments, identified by EPA Docket
No. CERCLA–10–2020–0105, by one of
the following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow on-line instructions for
submitting comments. Once submitted,
comments cannot be edited or removed
from Regulations.gov. EPA may publish
any comment received to its public
docket. Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information
(‘‘CBI’’) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
Multimedia submissions (audio, video,
etc.) must be accompanied by a written
comment. The written comment is
considered the official comment and
should include discussion of all points
you wish to make. EPA will generally
not consider comments or comment
contents located outside of the primary
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
other file sharing system). For
additional submission methods, the full
EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets.
• Email: Andrea Lindsay, Community
Involvement Coordinator, at
lindsay.andrea@epa.gov.
• Written comments submitted by
mail are temporarily suspended, and no
hand deliveries will be accepted. We
encourage the public to submit
comments via https://
www.regulations.gov.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
EPA Docket No. CERCLA–10–2020–
E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 169 (Monday, August 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53809-53811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19116]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice concerning fiscal year 2021 Boulder Canyon Project base
charge and rates for electric service.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Electricity confirms, approves,
and places into effect on a final basis the Boulder Canyon Project
(BCP) base charge and rates for fiscal year (FY) 2021 under Rate
Schedule BCP-F10. The base charge decreased 1.5 percent from $66.4
million in FY 2020 to $65.4 million in FY 2021. The reduction is
primarily the result of an increase in prior year carryover funds.
DATES: The FY 2021 base charge and rates will be effective October 1,
2020 and will remain in effect through September 30, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracey A. LeBeau, Regional Manager,
Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box
6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 605-2525, or [email protected]; or
Tina Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power
Administration, (602) 605-2565, or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 6, 2018, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) confirmed and approved Rate Schedule BCP-
F10 under Rate Order No. WAPA-178 on a final
[[Page 53810]]
basis through September 30, 2022.\1\ The rate-setting methodology for
BCP calculates an annual base charge rather than a unit rate for Hoover
Dam hydropower. The base charge recovers an annual revenue requirement
that includes Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) projected costs of investment repayment,
interest, operations and maintenance (O&M), replacements, payments to
States, and Hoover Dam visitor services. Non-power revenue projections
such as water sales, Hoover Dam visitor center revenue, ancillary
services, and late fees help offset these projected costs. Customers
are billed a percentage of the base charge in proportion to their
Hoover power allocation. Rates are calculated for comparative purposes
but are not used to determine the charges for service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Order Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule on a Final
Basis, FERC Docket No. EF18-1-000, 163 FERC ] 62,154 (2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate Schedule BCP-F10 and the BCP Electric Service Contract require
WAPA to determine the annual base charge and rates for the next FY
before October 1 of each year. The FY 2020 BCP base charge and rates
expire on September 30, 2020.
Comparison of Base Charge and Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2020 FY 2021 Amount change Percent change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Charge ($)................................. $66,419,402 $65,443,462 -$975,940 -1.5
Composite Rate (mills/kWh)...................... 18.08 18.10 0.02 0.1
Energy Rate (mills/kWh)......................... 9.04 9.05 0.01 0.1
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo)......................... 1.75 1.69 -0.06 -3.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A $3 million increase in prior year carryover funds significantly
contributed to the FY 2021 base charge reduction of 1.5 percent from
the FY 2020 base charge. In addition, Reclamation's FY 2021 budget
increased by $470,000 to $76.2 million, a 0.6 percent increase from FY
2020. The difference between Reclamation's $3.2 million decrease in O&M
expenses and a $3.4 million increase in replacement costs accounts for
most of the budget increase. WAPA's FY 2021 budget decreased by
$370,000 to $8.4 million, a 4.2 percent decline from FY 2020. A
reduction in O&M expenses and the elimination of WAPA's contingency
funds resulted in the budget decrease.
Although there is a 1.5 percent reduction to the FY 2021 base
charge, the composite and energy rates are both slightly increasing
from FY 2020 due to a forecasted decrease in energy from the long-term
drought in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The capacity rate, which
represents a 3.4 percent reduction from the FY 2020 rate, is decreasing
due to changes in capacity projections and the FY 2021 base charge.
Public Notice and Comment
The notice of the proposed FY 2021 base charge and rates for
electric service was published consistent with procedures set forth in
10 CFR part 903 and 10 CFR part 904. WAPA took the following steps to
involve customers and interested parties in the rate process:
1. On April 6, 2020, a Federal Register notice (85 FR 19144)
announced the proposed base charge and rates and initiated the 90-day
public consultation and comment period.
2. On May 6, 2020, WAPA held a public information forum by web
conference. WAPA and Reclamation representatives explained the proposed
base charge and rates, answered questions, and posted the presentation
materials to WAPA's website.
3. On June 5, 2020, WAPA held a public comment forum by web
conference to provide customers and interested parties an opportunity
to comment for the record. WAPA received no comments during this forum.
4. On July 6, 2020, the public consultation and comment period
ended with WAPA receiving two comment letters. The comments appear
below, paraphrased where appropriate without compromising their
meaning.
Comment: Both commenters thanked WAPA and Reclamation for their
efforts to decrease the BCP base charge and electric service rates for
FY 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They applauded efforts by
Reclamation to mitigate revenue losses due to the pandemic's effects on
tourism.
Response: WAPA and Reclamation acknowledge the comments. Non-power
revenue projections decreased by $4 million since publication of the
proposed base charge and rates due to the closing of the Hoover Dam
visitor center as a result of the pandemic. Reclamation reduced FY 2021
O&M and replacement costs by $4 million to maintain the proposed
decrease to the FY 2021 base charge.
Comment: A commenter had concerns about future costs for the
landfill mitigation, post-retirement benefit costs, and the potential
for a continued decrease in Hoover Dam visitor center tourism revenue.
Response: WAPA and Reclamation will continue to work with the BCP
contractors on moderating future costs.
Comment: A commenter requested that future maintenance schedules be
adjusted to minimize capacity downtime in the summer.
Response: Reclamation plans to continue to limit routine
maintenance from May through October to provide maximum available
capacity to the BCP contractors.
Certification of Rates
WAPA's Administrator certified that the FY 2021 base charge and
rates under Rate Schedule BCP-F10 are the lowest possible rates
consistent with sound business principles. The base charge and rates
were developed following administrative policies and applicable laws.
Availability of Information
Information about the rate process to establish the FY 2021 base
charge and rates was made available on WAPA's website at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Rates/Pages/boulder-canyon-rates.aspx.
Legal Authority
10 CFR 904.7(e) requires annual review of the BCP base charge and
an adjustment, either upward or downward, when necessary and
administratively feasible to assure sufficient revenues to effect
payment of all costs and financial obligations associated with the
project. WAPA's Administrator provided all BCP contractors an
opportunity to comment
[[Page 53811]]
on the proposed base charge adjustment consistent with the procedures
for public participation in rate adjustments as required under 10 CFR
904.7(e) and the BCP Electric Service Contract. The BCP Electric
Service Contract goes on to state that in years other than the first
and fifth years of a rate schedule approved by the Deputy Secretary on
a provisional basis and by FERC on a final basis, adjustments to the
base charge ``shall be effective upon approval by the Deputy Secretary
of Energy.'' Under the Department of Energy Organization Act, the
Secretary of Energy holds plenary authority over Department of Energy
affairs with respect to the Power Marketing Administrations, and the
Secretary of Energy may therefore exercise the Deputy Secretary's
contractual authority in this context. By Delegation Order No. 00-
002.00S, effective January 15, 2020, the Secretary of Energy delegated
to the Under Secretary of Energy the authority vested in the Secretary
with respect to WAPA. By Redelegation Order No. 00-002.10E, effective
February 14, 2020, the Under Secretary of Energy delegated to the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity the same authority with respect to
WAPA. By Redelegation Order No. 00-002.10-5, effective July 8, 2020,
the Assistant Secretary for Electricity delegated to WAPA's
Administrator the same authority with respect to WAPA. However, based
upon the governing terms of existing BCP Electric Service Contract, the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity is approving the FY 2021 base
charge and rates for BCP electric service. This rate action is issued
under the Redelegation Orders and Department of Energy (DOE) procedures
for public participation in rate adjustments set forth at 10 CFR part
903 and 10 CFR part 904.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 50 FR 37835 (Sept. 18, 1985); 85 FR 19144 (Apr. 6, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following DOE's review of WAPA's proposal, and as authorized by
applicable provisions of the BCP Electric Service Contract, I hereby
confirm, approve, and place the FY 2021 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service, under Rate Schedule BCP-F10, into effect on a final
basis through September 30, 2021.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, 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), WAPA
has determined that this action is categorically excluded from
preparing an environmental assessment or an environmental impact
statement.
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.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 24,
2020, by Bruce J. Walker, Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity,
pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That
document, with the original signature and date, is maintained by DOE.
For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements
of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020-19116 Filed 8-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
