Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Establishing Procedural Schedule for Relicensing and Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments, 80779-80781 [2020-27435]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Notices
80779
FERC–725U
[Mandatory Reliability Standards: Reliability Standard CIP–014]
Number of
respondents 3
Annual
number of
responses
per
respondent
Total
number of
responses
Average
burden
hours &
cost per
response
Total
annual
burden
hours &
total
annual cost
Average
annual
cost per
respondent
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
Annual Reporting and
Recordkeeping.
Total FERC–725U
336
1
336
32.71 hrs.; $2,714.93 ..
10,991 hrs.; $912,253
$2,714,93
336
1
336
32.71 hrs.; $2,714.93 ..
10,991 hrs.; $912,253
$2,714.93
Comments: Comments are invited on:
(1) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden and cost of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: December 8, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–27434 Filed 12–11–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Combined Notice of Filings
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Docket Numbers: RP21–300–000.
Applicants: Equitrans, L.P.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Negotiated Rate Capacity Release
Agreement—12/4/2020 to be effective
12/4/2020.
Filed Date: 12/4/20.
Accession Number: 20201204–5026.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/16/20.
Docket Numbers: RP21–301–000.
Applicants: Algonquin Gas
Transmission, LLC.
3 The total number of transmission owners and
operators equals 336, this represents the unique US
entities taken from October 2, 2020 NERC
Compliance registry information.
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02:51 Dec 12, 2020
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Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Negotiated Rate—Yankee Gas 510802 eff
12–5–2020 to be effective 12/5/2020.
Filed Date: 12/4/20.
Accession Number: 20201204–5087.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/16/20.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
clicking on the links or 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 comment date.
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: December 8, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–27439 Filed 12–11–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 96–048]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company;
Notice of Application Tendered for
Filing With the Commission and
Establishing Procedural Schedule for
Relicensing and Deadline for
Submission of Final Amendments
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection.
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
a. Type of Application: New Major
License.
b. Project No.: 96–048.
c. Date Filed: November 24, 2020.
d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E).
e. Name of Project: Kerckhoff
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The existing project is
located on the San Joaquin River, in
Fresno and Madera Counties, California.
The project occupies 328.1 acres of
federal land administered by the United
States Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)–825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Maureen
Zawalick, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, PO Box 770000, MC N11D–
1138, San Francisco, CA 94177–0001,
(805) 545–4242
i. FERC Contact: Evan Williams, (202)
502–8462 or evan.williams@ferc.gov.
j. This application is not ready for
environmental analysis at this time.
k. Project Description: The existing
Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project consists
of: (1) a 175-acre, 3-mile-long
impoundment at normal full pond
elevation 985.0 feet; (2) a 114.5-foothigh, 507-foot-long concrete arch dam
with a spillway crest of 91 feet that
includes: (a) Fourteen 14.3-foot-high by
20-foot-wide radial gates, and (b) three
72-inch-diameter low-level outlet pipes
at an elevation of 897.0 feet, with a
maximum combined discharge capacity
of 3,900 cubic feet per second; (3) a 75foot-long, 18-inch-diameter instream
flow pipe; (4) two powerhouse facilities
(Kerckhoff 1 and Kerckhoff 2); and (5)
appurtenant facilities.
The Project’s Kerckhoff 1 (K1)
powerhouse and associated facilities
include: (1) A 73.3-foot-high, 29.5-foot
by 26-foot-wide reinforced concrete
intake structure located in Kerckhoff
Reservoir; (2) a 16,913-foot-long, 17foot-wide by 17-foot-high unlined
tunnel; (3) two approximately 120-footlong, 20-foot in cross section adits; (4)
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80780
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Notices
one approximately 507.8-foot-long, 16to-18-foot in cross section adit; (5) a 75foot-high, unlined vertical shaft surge
chamber with a 40-foot maximum
diameter lower section and 17-foot
maximum diameter upper section; (6)
one 913-foot-long, 84- to- 90-inchdiameter steel penstock; (7) one 946foot-long, 84- to- 90-inch-diameter steel
penstock; (8) an approximately 45-footwide by 99-foot-long reinforced concrete
powerhouse containing three vertical
reaction-type Francis turbine units; and
(9) appurtenant facilities. The project’s
K1 transmission facilities include: (1) A
switchyard located on a steep hillside
immediately behind the powerhouse; (2)
two transformer banks consisting of one,
three-phase and seven, single-phase 6.6/
115-kilovolt (kV) transformers; and (3)
three, 115-kV circuit breakers. Three
sets of non-project 115-kV transmission
lines exit the switchyard.
K1 Powerhouse Unit No. 2 is not
operational and was removed from the
current project license in 2013. K1
Powerhouse Units No. 1 and No. 3 are
rated at 11.36 megawatts (MW) each for
an authorized installed capacity of 22.72
MW; however, both units have not
operated since 2018. The three adits
were sealed with concrete walls about
200 feet from their entrances, effectively
eliminating access to the adits and to
the tunnel via the adits. K1 penstock
No. 2 is no longer operational; it was
abandoned in place and removed from
the current project license in 2013.
PG&E permanently closed and sealed
the main shutoff and bypass valves at
K1 penstock No. 2, removed an
approximately 12-foot-long section of
the penstock immediately downstream
of the shutoff valve, removed exposed
air valves and cap, and permanently
closed the turbine shutoff valve.
The Project’s Kerckhoff 2 (K2)
powerhouse and associated facilities
include: (1) A 63-foot-high, 43-foot by
52-foot-wide reinforced concrete intake
structure located in Kerckhoff Reservoir;
(2) a 21,632-foot-long, 24-foot-diameter
unlined tunnel; (3) an 8-foot-diameter
adit tunnel; (4) a 216.8-foot-high,
vertical shaft surge chamber composed
of a 20-foot-diameter lower section, a
71-foot-diameter middle section, and a
110-foot-diameter upper section, capped
at the surface by a 34-foot-high, 111.5foot-diameter above-ground steel surge
tank; (5) one approximately 1,013-footlong penstock composed of three
sections: (a) A 481-foot-long, 20-footdiameter concrete-lined upper section;
(b) a 338-foot-long, 18-foot-diameter
concrete-lined middle section; and (c) a
194-foot-long, 15-foot-diameter steellined lower section; (6) an
approximately 85-foot-diameter, 124-
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02:51 Dec 12, 2020
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foot-high three-floor (basement floor,
turbine floor, and generator floor)
underground powerhouse chamber
containing one vertical shaft, Francistype turbine rated at 140 MW; (7) an
approximately 531-foot-long, 25-footdiameter concrete-lined discharge
tunnel, with two 19-foot-high, 13-footwide gates; (8) a 40-foot-wide open
tailrace channel; and (9) appurtenant
facilities. The project’s K2 transmission
facilities include: (1) An approximately
152-foot-wide by 177-foot-long
switchyard located at ground level
immediately above the underground
powerhouse; (2) a transformer; and (3)
four, 115-kV circuit breakers. Two sets
of non-project 115-kV transmission lines
exit the switchyard. From 1984 to 2019,
with both powerhouses in operation,
average annual generation was
approximately 471,424 megawatt-hours.
PG&E operates the project for power
generation, making use of available
flows from upstream hydroelectric
projects. The project operates in a runof-river mode because of the project
reservoir’s limited storage capacity.
Water used by the project for power
generation is released back into the San
Joaquin River and flows into Millerton
Lake, a United States Bureau of
Reclamation facility, located
immediately downstream of the K2
Powerhouse.
The San Joaquin River basin upstream
of the project is extensively developed
for hydroelectric power generation,
which influences the timing and
magnitude of inflows into the project.
Current operational requirements
include flow requirements to protect
American shad and water temperature
requirements to protect smallmouth
bass. PG&E is required to discharge a
minimum flow of 25 cubic feet per
second (cfs) downstream of Kerckhoff
Dam during Normal water years and a
minimum flow of 15 cfs during Dry
water years. Minimum flows are
temporarily modified in response to
operating emergencies and for fishery
management purposes upon agreement
between PG&E and the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife
(CDFW). Additional releases can be
determined necessary by CDFW to
maintain stream temperatures and to
flush sediments in the streambed below
Kerckhoff Dam. Kerckhoff Reservoir has
an estimated capacity of 2,434 acre-feet
of usable capacity at normal maximum
water surface elevation and is generally
operated as a forebay with no seasonal
targets, therefore maintaining storage
relatively constant at near full pool.
Although, operational limitations of the
K2 Powerhouse result in an operational
storage of the reservoir of 692 acre-feet.
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Sfmt 4703
PG&E has primarily operated the K1
Powerhouse only when the K2
Powerhouse is offline, at capacity, or
during the American shad spawning
releases; although, the K1 Powerhouse
has not been operational since 2018.
The K2 Powerhouse has a rough
operating zone that occurs during flows
of approximately 1,750 cfs to 3,200 cfs
that generate 45—92 MW. To manage
the rough operating zone, PG&E does
not allow the unit to linger in the 45—
92 MW range. Instead, the K2
Powerhouse operates above or below the
range, in order to avoid damaging
equipment. Further, the K2 Powerhouse
cannot operate with flows less than
approximately 580 cfs.
PG&E proposes to modify the existing
project boundary to encompass all
facilities necessary for operation and
maintenance of the project. PG&E
proposes to adjust the boundary around
Kerckhoff Reservoir, Smalley Cove
Recreation Area and the adjacent
dispersed day use area, the K1 and K2
developments, the fiber optics and 12kV distribution lines running from the
K2 Switchyard to a non-project
substation, and gaging stations and
associated facilities. PG&E also proposes
to eliminate a shared public access road
from the project boundary. With these
proposed changes, the area of PG&Eowned land within the project boundary
will decrease to 122.8 acres, and federal
lands will decrease to 114.4 acres. The
area of private lands encompassed by
the project boundary will increase to
54.2 acres.
PG&E also proposes to retire the K1
Powerhouse by making certain facilities,
including turbine-related facilities,
Adits 1 and 2, surge chamber,
penstocks, and headworks, inoperable.
However, PG&E proposes to retain: (1)
the K1 intake structure, tunnel, and
North Adit to continue providing
instream flow releases, (2) the K1
Powerhouse building for operations
support, and (3) the K1 switchyard
because it is part of the electric
transmission system.
PG&E further proposes the following
plans and measures to protect and
enhance environmental resources: (1)
American Shad Spawning Season Flow
Release Regime; (2) Aquatic Resources
Plan; (3) Wildlife Management Plan; (4)
Vegetation Management and Pest
Control Plan; (5) Project Road and Trail
Maintenance Plan; (6) Recreation
Management Plan; (7) Whitewater
Recreation Flow Release Measure; and
(8) Historic Properties Management
Plan.
l. In addition to publishing the full
text of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Notices
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents via the
internet through the Commission’s
Home Page (https://www.ferc.gov) using
the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter 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 FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (866) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
m. You may also register online at
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/
FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via
email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, contact FERC Online
Support.
n. Final amendments to the
application must be filed with the
Commission no later than 30 days from
the issuance date of the notice of ready
for environmental analysis.
Dated: December 8, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–27435 Filed 12–11–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric corporate
filings:
Docket Numbers: EC21–32–000.
Applicants: Montauk Holdings USA,
LLC, Montauk Renewables, Inc.,
Bowerman Power LFG, LLC, Pico
Energy, LLC, TX LFG Energy, LP, Tulsa
LFG, LLC.
Description: Application for
Authorization Under Section 203 of the
Federal Power Act of Montauk Holdings
USA, LLC, et al.
Filed Date: 12/7/20.
Accession Number: 20201207–5215.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following exempt
wholesale generator filings:
Docket Numbers: EG21–49–000.
Applicants: 325MK 8ME LLC.
Description: Self-Certification of
Exempt Wholesale Generator Status of
325MK 8ME LLC.
Filed Date: 12/4/20.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
02:51 Dec 12, 2020
Jkt 253001
Accession Number: 20201204–5261.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Docket Numbers: EG21–50–000.
Applicants: Chalk Point Power, LLC.
Description: Notice of SelfCertification of Exempt Wholesale
Generator Status of Chalk Point Power,
LLC.
Filed Date: 12/4/20.
Accession Number: 20201204–5262.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER10–2331–073.
Applicants: J.P. Morgan Ventures
Energy Corporation.
Description: Response to November 6,
2020 Deficiency Letter of the J.P.
Morgan Ventures Energy Corporation.
Filed Date: 12/7/20.
Accession Number: 20201207–5225.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Docket Numbers: ER15–1471–010;
ER16–915–003; ER15–1672–009; ER10–
2861–008; ER19–2287–001; ER16–2010–
004; ER19–2289–001; ER19–2294–001;
ER12–1308–011; ER16–711–007; ER16–
2561–004; ER13–1504–009; ER19–2305–
001.
Applicants: Blue Sky West, LLC,
Comanche Solar PV, LLC, Evergreen
Wind Power II, LLC, Fountain Valley
Power, L.L.C., Goal Line L.P., Hancock
Wind, LLC, KES Kingsburg, L.P.,
Mesquite Power, LLC, Palouse Wind,
LLC, Pio Pico Energy Center, LLC,
Sunflower Wind Project, LLC, SWG
Arapahoe, LLC, Valencia Power, LLC.
Description: Response to November 6,
2020 Deficiency Letter of Blue Sky
West, LLC, et. al.
Filed Date: 12/7/20.
Accession Number: 20201207–5232.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Docket Numbers: ER20–2721–002.
Applicants: Smoky Mountain
Transmission LLC.
Description: Tariff Amendment:
Resubmission of Interconnection and
Transmission Service Agreement to be
effective 2/7/2021.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5026.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–117–001.
Applicants: System Energy Resources,
Inc.
Description: Tariff Amendment: SERI
UPSA Ratebase Credit to be effective 10/
16/2020.
Filed Date: 12/7/20.
Accession Number: 20201207–5123.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/28/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–129–001.
Applicants: System Energy Resources,
Inc.
PO 00000
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80781
Description: Tariff Amendment: SERI
UPSA Excess ADIT Credit to be effective
10/17/2020.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5084.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–195–001.
Applicants: LS Power Grid California,
LLC.
Description: Tariff Amendment: LS
Power Grid California Amended Filing
to be effective 12/31/9998.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5137.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–598–000.
Applicants: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Original WMPA, Service Agreement No.
5860; Queue No. AF2–099 to be
effective 11/10/2020.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5019.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–599–000.
Applicants: Smoky Mountain
Transmission LLC.
Description: Tariff Cancellation:
Notice of Cancellation to be effective 2/
7/2021.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5030.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–600–000.
Applicants: AEP Texas Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
AEPTX–LCRA TSC (Ft. Stockton Sw)
Facilities Development Agreement to be
effective 11/19/2020.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5033.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–601–000.
Applicants: AEP Texas Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
AEPTX-Sparta Solar 1st A&R Generation
Interconnection Agreement to be
effective 11/23/2020.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5038.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–602–000.
Applicants: AEP Texas Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
AEPTX-Taygete Energy Project (Taygete
1) 3rd A&R Generation Interconnection
Agmt to be effective 12/2/2020.
Filed Date: 12/8/20.
Accession Number: 20201208–5047.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/29/20.
Docket Numbers: ER21–603–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.,
Ameren Transmission Company of
Illinois, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
2020–12–08_SA 3598 Duke EnergyATXI TIA to be effective 11/30/2020.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 240 (Monday, December 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80779-80781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27435]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 96-048]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Tendered
for Filing With the Commission and Establishing Procedural Schedule for
Relicensing and Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments
Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
a. Type of Application: New Major License.
b. Project No.: 96-048.
c. Date Filed: November 24, 2020.
d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
e. Name of Project: Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: The existing project is located on the San Joaquin
River, in Fresno and Madera Counties, California. The project occupies
328.1 acres of federal land administered by the United States Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)-825(r).
h. Applicant Contact: Maureen Zawalick, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company, PO Box 770000, MC N11D-1138, San Francisco, CA 94177-0001,
(805) 545-4242
i. FERC Contact: Evan Williams, (202) 502-8462 or
[email protected].
j. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this
time.
k. Project Description: The existing Kerckhoff Hydroelectric
Project consists of: (1) a 175-acre, 3-mile-long impoundment at normal
full pond elevation 985.0 feet; (2) a 114.5-foot-high, 507-foot-long
concrete arch dam with a spillway crest of 91 feet that includes: (a)
Fourteen 14.3-foot-high by 20-foot-wide radial gates, and (b) three 72-
inch-diameter low-level outlet pipes at an elevation of 897.0 feet,
with a maximum combined discharge capacity of 3,900 cubic feet per
second; (3) a 75-foot-long, 18-inch-diameter instream flow pipe; (4)
two powerhouse facilities (Kerckhoff 1 and Kerckhoff 2); and (5)
appurtenant facilities.
The Project's Kerckhoff 1 (K1) powerhouse and associated facilities
include: (1) A 73.3-foot-high, 29.5-foot by 26-foot-wide reinforced
concrete intake structure located in Kerckhoff Reservoir; (2) a 16,913-
foot-long, 17-foot-wide by 17-foot-high unlined tunnel; (3) two
approximately 120-foot-long, 20-foot in cross section adits; (4)
[[Page 80780]]
one approximately 507.8-foot-long, 16- to-18-foot in cross section
adit; (5) a 75-foot-high, unlined vertical shaft surge chamber with a
40-foot maximum diameter lower section and 17-foot maximum diameter
upper section; (6) one 913-foot-long, 84- to- 90-inch-diameter steel
penstock; (7) one 946-foot-long, 84- to- 90-inch-diameter steel
penstock; (8) an approximately 45-foot-wide by 99-foot-long reinforced
concrete powerhouse containing three vertical reaction-type Francis
turbine units; and (9) appurtenant facilities. The project's K1
transmission facilities include: (1) A switchyard located on a steep
hillside immediately behind the powerhouse; (2) two transformer banks
consisting of one, three-phase and seven, single-phase 6.6/115-kilovolt
(kV) transformers; and (3) three, 115-kV circuit breakers. Three sets
of non-project 115-kV transmission lines exit the switchyard.
K1 Powerhouse Unit No. 2 is not operational and was removed from
the current project license in 2013. K1 Powerhouse Units No. 1 and No.
3 are rated at 11.36 megawatts (MW) each for an authorized installed
capacity of 22.72 MW; however, both units have not operated since 2018.
The three adits were sealed with concrete walls about 200 feet from
their entrances, effectively eliminating access to the adits and to the
tunnel via the adits. K1 penstock No. 2 is no longer operational; it
was abandoned in place and removed from the current project license in
2013. PG&E permanently closed and sealed the main shutoff and bypass
valves at K1 penstock No. 2, removed an approximately 12-foot-long
section of the penstock immediately downstream of the shutoff valve,
removed exposed air valves and cap, and permanently closed the turbine
shutoff valve.
The Project's Kerckhoff 2 (K2) powerhouse and associated facilities
include: (1) A 63-foot-high, 43-foot by 52-foot-wide reinforced
concrete intake structure located in Kerckhoff Reservoir; (2) a 21,632-
foot-long, 24-foot-diameter unlined tunnel; (3) an 8-foot-diameter adit
tunnel; (4) a 216.8-foot-high, vertical shaft surge chamber composed of
a 20-foot-diameter lower section, a 71-foot-diameter middle section,
and a 110-foot-diameter upper section, capped at the surface by a 34-
foot-high, 111.5-foot-diameter above-ground steel surge tank; (5) one
approximately 1,013-foot-long penstock composed of three sections: (a)
A 481-foot-long, 20-foot-diameter concrete-lined upper section; (b) a
338-foot-long, 18-foot-diameter concrete-lined middle section; and (c)
a 194-foot-long, 15-foot-diameter steel-lined lower section; (6) an
approximately 85-foot-diameter, 124-foot-high three-floor (basement
floor, turbine floor, and generator floor) underground powerhouse
chamber containing one vertical shaft, Francis-type turbine rated at
140 MW; (7) an approximately 531-foot-long, 25-foot-diameter concrete-
lined discharge tunnel, with two 19-foot-high, 13-foot-wide gates; (8)
a 40-foot-wide open tailrace channel; and (9) appurtenant facilities.
The project's K2 transmission facilities include: (1) An approximately
152-foot-wide by 177-foot-long switchyard located at ground level
immediately above the underground powerhouse; (2) a transformer; and
(3) four, 115-kV circuit breakers. Two sets of non-project 115-kV
transmission lines exit the switchyard. From 1984 to 2019, with both
powerhouses in operation, average annual generation was approximately
471,424 megawatt-hours.
PG&E operates the project for power generation, making use of
available flows from upstream hydroelectric projects. The project
operates in a run-of-river mode because of the project reservoir's
limited storage capacity. Water used by the project for power
generation is released back into the San Joaquin River and flows into
Millerton Lake, a United States Bureau of Reclamation facility, located
immediately downstream of the K2 Powerhouse.
The San Joaquin River basin upstream of the project is extensively
developed for hydroelectric power generation, which influences the
timing and magnitude of inflows into the project. Current operational
requirements include flow requirements to protect American shad and
water temperature requirements to protect smallmouth bass. PG&E is
required to discharge a minimum flow of 25 cubic feet per second (cfs)
downstream of Kerckhoff Dam during Normal water years and a minimum
flow of 15 cfs during Dry water years. Minimum flows are temporarily
modified in response to operating emergencies and for fishery
management purposes upon agreement between PG&E and the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Additional releases can be
determined necessary by CDFW to maintain stream temperatures and to
flush sediments in the streambed below Kerckhoff Dam. Kerckhoff
Reservoir has an estimated capacity of 2,434 acre-feet of usable
capacity at normal maximum water surface elevation and is generally
operated as a forebay with no seasonal targets, therefore maintaining
storage relatively constant at near full pool. Although, operational
limitations of the K2 Powerhouse result in an operational storage of
the reservoir of 692 acre-feet. PG&E has primarily operated the K1
Powerhouse only when the K2 Powerhouse is offline, at capacity, or
during the American shad spawning releases; although, the K1 Powerhouse
has not been operational since 2018. The K2 Powerhouse has a rough
operating zone that occurs during flows of approximately 1,750 cfs to
3,200 cfs that generate 45--92 MW. To manage the rough operating zone,
PG&E does not allow the unit to linger in the 45--92 MW range. Instead,
the K2 Powerhouse operates above or below the range, in order to avoid
damaging equipment. Further, the K2 Powerhouse cannot operate with
flows less than approximately 580 cfs.
PG&E proposes to modify the existing project boundary to encompass
all facilities necessary for operation and maintenance of the project.
PG&E proposes to adjust the boundary around Kerckhoff Reservoir,
Smalley Cove Recreation Area and the adjacent dispersed day use area,
the K1 and K2 developments, the fiber optics and 12-kV distribution
lines running from the K2 Switchyard to a non-project substation, and
gaging stations and associated facilities. PG&E also proposes to
eliminate a shared public access road from the project boundary. With
these proposed changes, the area of PG&E-owned land within the project
boundary will decrease to 122.8 acres, and federal lands will decrease
to 114.4 acres. The area of private lands encompassed by the project
boundary will increase to 54.2 acres.
PG&E also proposes to retire the K1 Powerhouse by making certain
facilities, including turbine-related facilities, Adits 1 and 2, surge
chamber, penstocks, and headworks, inoperable. However, PG&E proposes
to retain: (1) the K1 intake structure, tunnel, and North Adit to
continue providing instream flow releases, (2) the K1 Powerhouse
building for operations support, and (3) the K1 switchyard because it
is part of the electric transmission system.
PG&E further proposes the following plans and measures to protect
and enhance environmental resources: (1) American Shad Spawning Season
Flow Release Regime; (2) Aquatic Resources Plan; (3) Wildlife
Management Plan; (4) Vegetation Management and Pest Control Plan; (5)
Project Road and Trail Maintenance Plan; (6) Recreation Management
Plan; (7) Whitewater Recreation Flow Release Measure; and (8) Historic
Properties Management Plan.
l. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the
Federal Register, the Commission provides all
[[Page 80781]]
interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents via
the internet through the Commission's Home Page (https://www.ferc.gov)
using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter 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 FERC at
[email protected] or call toll-free, (866) 208-3676 or TYY,
(202) 502-8659.
m. You may also register online at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC
Online Support.
n. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the
Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of the notice
of ready for environmental analysis.
Dated: December 8, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-27435 Filed 12-11-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
