Integrated System, Sam Rayburn Dam, and Robert D. Willis Rate Schedules, 31500-31502 [2021-12425]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 112 / Monday, June 14, 2021 / Notices
reasons it cannot so operate
(Requirement R1);
• Maintain the Transmission
Operator’s generator voltage or Reactive
Power schedule, unless the Generator
Operator (1) is exempted pursuant to the
criteria developed under VAR–001–5,
Requirement R4, or (2) complies with
the notification requirements for
deviations as established by the
Transmission Owner pursuant to VAR–
001–5, Requirement R5 (Requirement
R2);
• Notify the Transmission Operator of
a change in status of its voltage
controlling device within 30 minutes,
unless the status is restored within that
time period (Requirement R3); and
• Notify the Transmission Operator of
a change in reactive capability due to
factors other than those described in
VAR–002–4.1, Requirement R3 within
30 minutes unless the capability has
been restored during that time period
(Requirement R4).
• Provide information on its step-up
transformers and auxiliary transformers
within 30 days of a request from the
Transmission Operator or Transmission
Planner (Requirement R5); and
• Comply with the Transmission
Operator’s step-up transformer tap
change directives unless compliance
would violate safety, an equipment
rating, or applicable laws, rules or
regulations (Requirement R6).
The 60-day notice was published to
the Federal Register on March 31, 2021
and received no comments.
Type of Respondents: Generator
operators and Transmission Operators.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 4
The Commission estimates the annual
public reporting burden for the
information collection as:
FERC–725X—MANDATORY RELIABILITY STANDARDS: VOLTAGE AND REACTIVE (VAR) STANDARDS
Number of
respondents 5
Annual
number of
responses per
respondent
Total number of
responses
Average burden &
cost per
response 6
Total annual burden
hours & total annual
cost
Cost per
respondent
($)
(1)
(2)
(1) * (2) = (3)
(4)
(3) * (4) = (5)
(5) ÷ (1)
VAR–001–5 (Require- 167 (TOP) .........
ments R1–R6).
VAR–002–4.1 (Re937 (GOP) ........
quirement R1).
VAR–002–4.1 (Re937 (GOP) ........
quirements R2–R6).
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Total ...................
...........................
1
167
160 hrs.; $11,230.40
1
937
80 hrs.; $5,615.20 ....
1
937
120 hrs.; $8,422.80 ..
........................
2,041
...................................
26,720 hrs.;
$1,875,476.80.
74,960 hrs.;
$5,261,442.4.
112,440 hrs.;
$7,892,163.6.
214,120 hrs.;
$15,029,082.80.
$11,230.40
5,615.20
8,422.80
........................
The burden for the FERC–725X
information collection includes
estimates related to both of the
previously approved Reliability
Standards (VAR–001–4.2 and VAR–
002–4.1). The total annual burden and
cost of the FERC–725X information
collection is 214,120 hours and
$15,029,083 (rounded).
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: June 8, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
The Administrator,
Southwestern Power Administration
(Southwestern), is proposing a two-year
extension to the currently approved rate
schedules for the Integrated System, the
Sam Rayburn Dam, and the Robert
Douglas Willis Hydropower Project
(Robert D. Willis) for the period of
October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023.
Southwestern’s current Integrated
System rate schedules (P–13A, NFTS–
13A, and EE–13), the Sam Rayburn Dam
rate schedule (SRD–15), and the Robert
D. Willis rate schedule (RDW–15),
expire September 30, 2021.
DATES: The consultation and comment
period will begin on June 14, 2021 and
will end on July 14, 2021. Written
comments are due on or before July 14,
2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
submitted to Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Southwestern Power
Administration, U.S. Department of
Energy, One West Third Street, Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74103.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer, Office of
Corporate Operations, (918) 595–6684,
fritha.ohlson@swpa.gov, or facsimile
transmission (918) 595–6684.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Originally
established by Order 1865, Secretary of
the Interior, dated August 31, 1943 and
effective September 1, 1943 (8 FR 12142
(Sept. 3, 1943)), Southwestern is
4 The Commission defines burden as the total
time, effort, or financial resources expended by
persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. For
further explanation of what is included in the
information collection burden, reference 5 Code of
Federal Regulations 1320.3.
5 TOP = transmission operator; GOP = generator
operators. Respondent counts based of the NERC
Compliance Registry numbers February 5, 2021.
6 The estimate for hourly cost is $70.19/hour.
This figure is the average salary plus benefits for an
electrical engineer (Occupation Code: 17–2071)
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2020) at
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics2_22.htm.
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17:26 Jun 11, 2021
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[FR Doc. 2021–12377 Filed 6–11–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration
Integrated System, Sam Rayburn Dam,
and Robert D. Willis Rate Schedules
Southwestern Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rate
schedules extension and opportunity for
public review and comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 112 / Monday, June 14, 2021 / Notices
authorized by Congress to market the
hydroelectric power and energy from
Federal dams controlled by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),
pursuant to Section 302(a)(1) of the
Department of Energy Organization Act
(42 U.S.C. 7152(a)(1)), Section 5 of the
Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C.
825s), and Public Law 95–456 (16 U.S.C.
825s–3). Guidelines for preparation of
power repayment studies are included
in Department of Energy (DOE) Order
No. RA 6120.2 (Sept. 20, 1979), entitled
Power Marketing Administration
Financial Reporting. Procedures for
public participation in power and
transmission rate adjustments of the
Power Marketing Administrations are
found at title 10, part 903, subpart A of
the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR
part 903). Procedures for the
confirmation, approval, and extension
of rates for the Power Marketing
Administrations are found at title 18,
part 300, subpart L of the Code of
Federal Regulations (18 CFR part 300).
Southwestern markets power from 24
multi-purpose reservoir projects with
hydroelectric power facilities
constructed and operated by the Corps.
These projects are located in Arkansas,
Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Southwestern’s marketing area includes
these states, plus Kansas and Louisiana.
The costs associated with 22 of these 24
hydropower projects are repaid with
revenues received under Southwestern’s
Integrated System rates. These rates also
cover the costs of Southwestern’s
transmission facilities that consist of
1,380 miles of high voltage transmission
lines, 27 substations, and 46 microwave
and VHF radio sites. Additionally,
Southwestern markets power from two
hydropower projects in southeastern
Texas, Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert D.
Willis. These projects are isolated
hydrologically, electrically, and
financially from the Integrated System
and are repaid via separate rate
schedules.
On September 30, 2013, in Rate Order
No. SWPA–66, the Deputy Secretary of
Energy placed into effect
Southwestern’s Integrated System rate
schedules (P–13, NFTS–13, and EE–13)
on an interim basis for the period
October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2017.
The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) confirmed and
approved Southwestern’s interim
Integrated System rates on a final basis
on January 9, 2014 for a period ending
September 30, 2017.
Southwestern re-designated Integrated
System rate schedule ‘‘NFTS–13’’ as
‘‘NFTS–13A’’ with no revenue
adjustment. In Rate Order No. SWPA–
71, the Deputy Secretary of Energy
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:26 Jun 11, 2021
Jkt 253001
placed into effect Southwestern’s rate
schedule NFTS–13A on an interim basis
beginning January 1, 2017. FERC
confirmed and approved NFTS–13A on
a final basis on March 9, 2017.
On September 13, 2017, in Rate Order
No. SWPA–72, the Deputy Secretary of
Energy extended all of Southwestern’s
Integrated System rate schedules (P–13,
NTFS–13A, and EE–13) for two years,
for the period of October 1, 2017
through September 30, 2019.
Southwestern re-designated Integrated
System rate schedule ‘‘P–13’’ as ‘‘P–
13A’’ with no revenue adjustment. In
Rate Order No. SWPA–73, the Assistant
Secretary for Electricity placed into
effect Southwestern’s rate schedule for
P–13A on an interim basis beginning
July 1, 2019. FERC confirmed and
approved P–13A on a final basis on
August 29, 2019.
On September 22, 2019, in Rate Order
No. SWPA–74, the Assistant Secretary
for Electricity extended all of
Southwestern’s Integrated System rate
schedules (P–13A, NFTS–13A, EE–13)
for two years, for the period of October
1, 2019 through September 30, 2021.
On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order
No. SWPA–69, the Deputy Secretary of
Energy placed into effect the current
Sam Rayburn Dam rate schedule (SRD–
15) on an interim basis for the period
January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019.
FERC confirmed and approved SRD–15
on a final basis on June 30, 2016 for a
period ending September 30, 2019. On
September 22, 2019, in Rate Order No.
SWPA–75, the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity approved a two-year
extension to SRD–15 on an interim basis
through September 30, 2021.
On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order
No. SWPA–70, the Deputy Secretary of
Energy placed into effect the current
Robert D. Willis Dam rate schedule
(RDW–15) on an interim basis for the
period January 1, 2016 to September 30,
2019. FERC confirmed and approved the
rate on a final basis on June 15, 2016 for
a period ending September 30, 2019. On
September 22, 2019, in Rate Order No.
SWPA–76, the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity approved a two-year
extension to RDW–15 on an interim
basis through September 30, 2021.
Decision Rationale
Southwestern is proposing an
extension of the above current rate
schedules, for the period October 1,
2021 through September 30, 2023. The
Administrator will review and consider
all timely written comments at the end
of the public review and comment
period and adjust the rate schedules
extension proposal as appropriate.
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31501
Southwestern’s current Integrated
System rate schedules (P–13A, NFTS–
13A, and EE–13) are based on its 2013
Power Repayment Study (PRS).
Southwestern has conducted PRSs
annually thereafter through 2021. Each
PRS indicated a need for a revenue
adjustment that fell within a plus or
minus two percent range of the revenue
estimate based on the current rate
schedules. It is Southwestern’s practice
for the Administrator to defer, on a caseby-case basis, revenue adjustments for
the Integrated System within plus or
minus two percent from the revenue
estimate based on the current rate
schedules. The deferral of a revenue
adjustment (rate change) provides for
rate stability and savings on the
administrative cost of implementation.
Thus, the Administrator has deferred
revenue adjustments annually through
2021.
Southwestern’s current rate schedules
for the Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert D.
Willis isolated rate systems, SRD–15
and RDW–15, are based on their
respective 2015 PRSs. Each subsequent
annual PRS, including the 2021 PRS,
indicated the need for a revenue
adjustment within a plus or minus five
percent range of the current revenue
estimate. It is Southwestern’s practice
for the Administrator to defer, on a caseby-case basis, revenue adjustments for
isolated rate systems that are within
plus or minus five percent of the
revenue estimated from the current rate
schedule. Therefore, the Administrator
deferred revenue adjustments annually
for Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert D.
Willis through 2021.
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 Southwestern’s
Administrator; (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the
Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the
authority to confirm, approve, and place
into effect on a final basis, or to remand
or disapprove such rates, to FERC. By
Delegation Order No. S1–DEL–S4–2021,
effective February 25, 2021, the Acting
Secretary of Energy also delegated the
authority to confirm, approve, and place
such rates into effect on an interim basis
to the Under Secretary for Science (and
Energy). By Redelegation Order No. S4–
DEL–OE1–2021, effective March 25,
2021, the Acting Under Secretary for
Science (and Energy) redelegated the
authority to confirm, approve, and place
such rates into effect on an interim basis
to the Assistant Secretary for Electricity.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 112 / Monday, June 14, 2021 / Notices
And by Redelegation Order No. 00–
002.10–04, effective July 8, 2020, the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity
further redelegated the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates
into effect on an interim basis to the
Administrator, Southwestern Power
Administration. This redelegation order,
despite predating the February 2021 and
March 2021 redelegations, remains
valid. By these delegations, and in
accordance with 10 CFR 903.22(h) and
10 CFR 903.23(a), as amended (84 FR
5347, 5350 (Feb. 21, 2019)),
Southwestern’s Administrator may
approve and extend, on an interim
basis, rates previously confirmed and
approved by FERC beyond the period
specified by FERC.
Environmental Impact
Southwestern previously determined
that the rate change actions, placed into
effect on October 1, 2013 for the
Integrated System and on January 1,
2016 for Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert
D. Willis, fit within the class of
categorically excluded actions as listed
in Appendix B to Subpart D of 10 CFR
part 1021, DOE’s Implementing
Procedures and Guidelines of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321–
4347): Categorical exclusions applicable
to B4.3: Electric power marketing rate
changes, which does not require
preparation of either an environmental
impact statement (EIS) or an
environmental assessment (EA). On May
27, 2021, Southwestern determined that
categorical exclusion B4.3 applies to the
current action.
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Determination Under Executive Order
12866
Southwestern 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 June 4, 2021, by
Mike Wech, Administrator for
Southwestern Power Administration,
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
DOE. This administrative process in no
way alters the legal effect of this
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:26 Jun 11, 2021
Jkt 253001
document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on June 9,
2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021–12425 Filed 6–11–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2021–0286; FRL–10023–
61]
Electronic Option for Export
Notifications Under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice
of Availability
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
EPA is announcing the
availability of an electronic option for
submitting the export notifications that
are required under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA). As an alternative to
the hardcopy approach, which is still
available, EPA is also now accepting the
required export notifications
electronically using EPA’s electronic
document submission system, the
Central Data Exchange (CDX). Use of
CDX to prepare and submit the required
export notifications to EPA will help
streamline and reduce the
administrative costs and burdens
associated with submitting paper-based
export notifications for both the
submitters and the Agency.
DATES: TSCA export notifications may
be submitted electronically using CDX
as of June 14, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2021–0286, is
available online at https://
www.regulations.gov or in-person at the
Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket),
Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.
The Public Reading Room is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and
the telephone number for the OPPT
Docket is (202) 566–0280. Please note
that due to the public health concerns
related to COVID–19, the EPA/DC and
Reading Room is closed to visitors with
limited exceptions. The staff continues
SUMMARY:
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to provide remote customer service via
email, phone, and webform. For the
latest status information on the EPA/DC
and docket access, visit https://
www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
technical information contact: Jeffrey
Santacroce, Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001:
telephone number: (202) 564–2818;
email address: santacroce.jeffrey@
epa.gov.
For general information contact: The
TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422
South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY
14620; telephone number: (202) 554–
1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you manufacture, process,
import, or distribute in commerce
chemical substances and mixtures. The
following North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes
have been provided to assist you and
others in determining whether this
action might apply to certain entities.
Potentially affected entities may
include, but are not limited to exporters
of chemical substances, which are
mostly chemical companies classified
under NAICS Codes 325 and 324.
If you have any questions regarding
the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the technical
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. What action is the Agency taking?
The Agency is announcing the
availability of an electronic reporting
option for use by those who must
submit notifications of export under
TSCA section 12(b). EPA is providing an
electronic reporting option as part of
broader Federal government efforts to
move to modern, electronic methods of
information collection, which
streamline processes and reduce overall
burdens for all involved.
Currently, TSCA section 12(b) export
notifications can only be submitted to
the Agency in hardcopy, by mail or in
person, requiring the Agency to
manually scan and process submissions.
The modernization of the TSCA section
12(b) export notification process will
allow the option for users to prepare
and submit their notifications to the
Agency electronically using a web-based
application. To file electronically,
submitters must use the EPA provided
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 112 (Monday, June 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31500-31502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12425]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Southwestern Power Administration
Integrated System, Sam Rayburn Dam, and Robert D. Willis Rate
Schedules
AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rate schedules extension and opportunity for
public review and comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration
(Southwestern), is proposing a two-year extension to the currently
approved rate schedules for the Integrated System, the Sam Rayburn Dam,
and the Robert Douglas Willis Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) for
the period of October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023. Southwestern's
current Integrated System rate schedules (P-13A, NFTS-13A, and EE-13),
the Sam Rayburn Dam rate schedule (SRD-15), and the Robert D. Willis
rate schedule (RDW-15), expire September 30, 2021.
DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin on June 14, 2021
and will end on July 14, 2021. Written comments are due on or before
July 14, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Southwestern Power
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street,
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Corporate Operations,
(918) 595-6684, [email protected], or facsimile transmission (918)
595-6684.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Originally established by Order 1865,
Secretary of the Interior, dated August 31, 1943 and effective
September 1, 1943 (8 FR 12142 (Sept. 3, 1943)), Southwestern is
[[Page 31501]]
authorized by Congress to market the hydroelectric power and energy
from Federal dams controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps), pursuant to Section 302(a)(1) of the Department of Energy
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152(a)(1)), Section 5 of the Flood Control
Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), and Public Law 95-456 (16 U.S.C. 825s-3).
Guidelines for preparation of power repayment studies are included in
Department of Energy (DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2 (Sept. 20, 1979),
entitled Power Marketing Administration Financial Reporting. Procedures
for public participation in power and transmission rate adjustments of
the Power Marketing Administrations are found at title 10, part 903,
subpart A of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR part 903).
Procedures for the confirmation, approval, and extension of rates for
the Power Marketing Administrations are found at title 18, part 300,
subpart L of the Code of Federal Regulations (18 CFR part 300).
Southwestern markets power from 24 multi-purpose reservoir projects
with hydroelectric power facilities constructed and operated by the
Corps. These projects are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and
Texas. Southwestern's marketing area includes these states, plus Kansas
and Louisiana. The costs associated with 22 of these 24 hydropower
projects are repaid with revenues received under Southwestern's
Integrated System rates. These rates also cover the costs of
Southwestern's transmission facilities that consist of 1,380 miles of
high voltage transmission lines, 27 substations, and 46 microwave and
VHF radio sites. Additionally, Southwestern markets power from two
hydropower projects in southeastern Texas, Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert
D. Willis. These projects are isolated hydrologically, electrically,
and financially from the Integrated System and are repaid via separate
rate schedules.
On September 30, 2013, in Rate Order No. SWPA-66, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy placed into effect Southwestern's Integrated System
rate schedules (P-13, NFTS-13, and EE-13) on an interim basis for the
period October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2017. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) confirmed and approved Southwestern's
interim Integrated System rates on a final basis on January 9, 2014 for
a period ending September 30, 2017.
Southwestern re-designated Integrated System rate schedule ``NFTS-
13'' as ``NFTS-13A'' with no revenue adjustment. In Rate Order No.
SWPA-71, the Deputy Secretary of Energy placed into effect
Southwestern's rate schedule NFTS-13A on an interim basis beginning
January 1, 2017. FERC confirmed and approved NFTS-13A on a final basis
on March 9, 2017.
On September 13, 2017, in Rate Order No. SWPA-72, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy extended all of Southwestern's Integrated System
rate schedules (P-13, NTFS-13A, and EE-13) for two years, for the
period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019.
Southwestern re-designated Integrated System rate schedule ``P-13''
as ``P-13A'' with no revenue adjustment. In Rate Order No. SWPA-73, the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity placed into effect Southwestern's
rate schedule for P-13A on an interim basis beginning July 1, 2019.
FERC confirmed and approved P-13A on a final basis on August 29, 2019.
On September 22, 2019, in Rate Order No. SWPA-74, the Assistant
Secretary for Electricity extended all of Southwestern's Integrated
System rate schedules (P-13A, NFTS-13A, EE-13) for two years, for the
period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021.
On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order No. SWPA-69, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy placed into effect the current Sam Rayburn Dam rate
schedule (SRD-15) on an interim basis for the period January 1, 2016 to
September 30, 2019. FERC confirmed and approved SRD-15 on a final basis
on June 30, 2016 for a period ending September 30, 2019. On September
22, 2019, in Rate Order No. SWPA-75, the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity approved a two-year extension to SRD-15 on an interim basis
through September 30, 2021.
On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order No. SWPA-70, the Deputy
Secretary of Energy placed into effect the current Robert D. Willis Dam
rate schedule (RDW-15) on an interim basis for the period January 1,
2016 to September 30, 2019. FERC confirmed and approved the rate on a
final basis on June 15, 2016 for a period ending September 30, 2019. On
September 22, 2019, in Rate Order No. SWPA-76, the Assistant Secretary
for Electricity approved a two-year extension to RDW-15 on an interim
basis through September 30, 2021.
Decision Rationale
Southwestern is proposing an extension of the above current rate
schedules, for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023.
The Administrator will review and consider all timely written comments
at the end of the public review and comment period and adjust the rate
schedules extension proposal as appropriate.
Southwestern's current Integrated System rate schedules (P-13A,
NFTS-13A, and EE-13) are based on its 2013 Power Repayment Study (PRS).
Southwestern has conducted PRSs annually thereafter through 2021. Each
PRS indicated a need for a revenue adjustment that fell within a plus
or minus two percent range of the revenue estimate based on the current
rate schedules. It is Southwestern's practice for the Administrator to
defer, on a case-by-case basis, revenue adjustments for the Integrated
System within plus or minus two percent from the revenue estimate based
on the current rate schedules. The deferral of a revenue adjustment
(rate change) provides for rate stability and savings on the
administrative cost of implementation. Thus, the Administrator has
deferred revenue adjustments annually through 2021.
Southwestern's current rate schedules for the Sam Rayburn Dam and
Robert D. Willis isolated rate systems, SRD-15 and RDW-15, are based on
their respective 2015 PRSs. Each subsequent annual PRS, including the
2021 PRS, indicated the need for a revenue adjustment within a plus or
minus five percent range of the current revenue estimate. It is
Southwestern's practice for the Administrator to defer, on a case-by-
case basis, revenue adjustments for isolated rate systems that are
within plus or minus five percent of the revenue estimated from the
current rate schedule. Therefore, the Administrator deferred revenue
adjustments annually for Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert D. Willis through
2021.
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 Southwestern's Administrator; (2) the
authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an
interim basis to the Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the authority
to confirm, approve, and place into effect on a final basis, or to
remand or disapprove such rates, to FERC. By Delegation Order No. S1-
DEL-S4-2021, effective February 25, 2021, the Acting Secretary of
Energy also delegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such
rates into effect on an interim basis to the Under Secretary for
Science (and Energy). By Redelegation Order No. S4-DEL-OE1-2021,
effective March 25, 2021, the Acting Under Secretary for Science (and
Energy) redelegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such
rates into effect on an interim basis to the Assistant Secretary for
Electricity.
[[Page 31502]]
And by Redelegation Order No. 00-002.10-04, effective July 8, 2020, the
Assistant Secretary for Electricity further redelegated the authority
to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim
basis to the Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration. This
redelegation order, despite predating the February 2021 and March 2021
redelegations, remains valid. By these delegations, and in accordance
with 10 CFR 903.22(h) and 10 CFR 903.23(a), as amended (84 FR 5347,
5350 (Feb. 21, 2019)), Southwestern's Administrator may approve and
extend, on an interim basis, rates previously confirmed and approved by
FERC beyond the period specified by FERC.
Environmental Impact
Southwestern previously determined that the rate change actions,
placed into effect on October 1, 2013 for the Integrated System and on
January 1, 2016 for Sam Rayburn Dam and Robert D. Willis, fit within
the class of categorically excluded actions as listed in Appendix B to
Subpart D of 10 CFR part 1021, DOE's Implementing Procedures and
Guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4347): Categorical exclusions applicable to B4.3:
Electric power marketing rate changes, which does not require
preparation of either an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an
environmental assessment (EA). On May 27, 2021, Southwestern determined
that categorical exclusion B4.3 applies to the current action.
Determination Under Executive Order 12866
Southwestern 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 June 4,
2021, by Mike Wech, Administrator for Southwestern Power
Administration, 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 DOE. This administrative process in no way
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-12425 Filed 6-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
