Boulder Canyon Project, 47304-47306 [2021-18172]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
‘‘Only Show ICR for Public Comment’’
checkbox. Comments may also be sent
to ICDocketmgr@ed.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Beth
Grebeldinger, 202–377–4018.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department of Education (ED), in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
public and Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed,
revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps the Department
assess the impact of its information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. It also
helps the public understand the
Department’s information collection
requirements and provide the requested
data in the desired format. ED is
soliciting comments on the proposed
information collection request (ICR) that
is described below. The Department of
Education is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Federal Perkins/
NDSL Loan Assignment Form.
OMB Control Number: 1845–0048.
Type of Review: A revision of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private
Sector; State, Local, and Tribal
Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 75,072.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 37,537.
Abstract: Institutions participating in
the Federal Perkins Loan program use
the assignment form to assign loans to
the Department for collection without
recompense, transferring the authority
to collect on the loan. This request is for
continued approval of the paper based
assignment form and the electronic
process. The electronic process allows
for batch processing as well as
individual processing. The same
information is being requested in both
processing methods. The Department is
requesting a revision of the currently
approved collection. One minor change
has been made to the form to include
the option of a foreign address for the
borrower.
Dated: August 19, 2021.
Kate Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2021–18202 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice concerning fiscal year
2022 Boulder Canyon Project base
charge and rates for electric service.
AGENCY:
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)
2022 under Rate Schedule BCP–F10.
The base charge increased 2.9 percent
from $65.4 million in FY 2021 to $67.4
million in FY 2022. The change is
primarily the result of an increase in the
Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation)
SUMMARY:
replacement costs, an increase in the
Western Area Power Administration’s
(WAPA) operations and maintenance
(O&M) expenses and replacement costs,
and a decrease in prior year carryover
funds from FY 2021.
DATES: The FY 2022 base charge and
rates will be effective October 1, 2021
and will remain in effect through
September 30, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack
D. Murray, Acting 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.
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
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 WAPA and Reclamation
projected costs of investment
repayment, interest, 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 2021 BCP base
charge and rates expire on September
30, 2021.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
COMPARISON OF BASE CHARGE AND RATES
Base Charge ($) ..............................................................................
Composite Rate (mills/kWh) ............................................................
Energy Rate (mills/kWh) ..................................................................
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo) ................................................................
FY 2021
FY 2022
$65,443,462
18.10
9.05
$1.69
$67,355,778
20.63
10.32
$2.03
Amount change
$1,912,316
2.53
1.27
$0.34
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
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
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Percent change
2.9
14.0
14.0
20.1
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
Reclamation’s FY 2022 budget is
increasing by $1.6 million to $81.7
million, a 2 percent increase from FY
2021. While O&M costs are decreasing
by $4.4 million compared to FY 2021,
there was a minimal increase of $44,000
for post-retirement benefits and
replacement costs are increasing by $4.4
million due to the addition of new
projects and the inclusion of projects
that were previously deferred due to the
COVID–19 pandemic. Visitor services
costs are also increasing by $1.5 million
in FY 2022, primarily due to a $1
million reallocation of expenses from
administrative and general expenses in
O&M to visitor services expenses.
Higher labor projections in salaries,
overtime, overhead, and benefits also
contribute to the visitor services
increase.
WAPA’s FY 2022 budget is increasing
by $762,000 to $9.2 million, a 9.1
percent increase from FY 2021. A
$247,000 increase in WAPA’s
replacement budget for communication
equipment and higher O&M expenses of
$520,000 account for this increase. The
increase in O&M expenses is primarily
due to the following: The Hoover-Mead
transmission line lease costs, which
were not budgeted in FY 2021; an
updated distribution of labor costs
resulting from the closure of the Navajo
Generating Station near Page, Arizona;
and higher labor projections for salaries,
overtime, overhead, and benefits in
power operations. The increase in
replacements and O&M costs is offset by
a modest decrease in facility expenses
and post-retirement benefits.
The cost increase for both
Reclamation and WAPA is offset by a
$2.1 million increase in non-power
revenue projections due to the added
commercial use authorization for roadbased tours. Prior year carryover is
estimated to be $2.7 million, a $1.7
million decrease from FY 2021.
While the base charge is increasing
2.9 percent, the composite and energy
rates are both increasing 14 percent and
the capacity rate is increasing 20.1
percent from FY 2021. Projections of
energy and capacity are decreasing in
FY 2022 due to the ongoing drought in
the Lower Colorado River Basin.
Reclamation and WAPA work
collaboratively each year to minimize
budget increases to moderate the
financial impact of the drought to the
rates. For FY 2022, Reclamation and
WAPA were able to reduce previously
formulated budgets and defer projects to
decrease costs by $4 million. Without
this decrease in costs, the base charge
would have increased approximately
$5.9 million instead of $1.9 million.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
Public Notice and Comment
The notice of the proposed FY 2022
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 15, 2021, a Federal
Register notice (86 FR 19881)
announced the proposed base charge
and rates and initiated the 90-day public
consultation and comment period.
2. On May 17, 2021, WAPA held a
public information forum by web
conference. WAPA and Reclamation
representatives explained the proposed
base charge and rates and answered
questions. Presentation materials and
supplemental information requested by
customers were posted to WAPA’s
website.
3. On June 14, 2021, 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 14, 2021, the public
consultation and comment period ended
with WAPA receiving no comments.
Certification of Rates
WAPA’s Administrator certified that
the FY 2022 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 2022 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
‘‘adjust[ment], 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 [p]roject.’’ WAPA’s
Administrator provided all BCP
contractors an opportunity to comment
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 states that
for years other than the first year and
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47305
each fifth year thereafter, when the rate
schedule is approved by the Deputy
Secretary on a provisional basis and by
FERC on a final basis, adjustments to
the base charge ‘‘shall become effective
upon approval by the Deputy Secretary
of Energy.’’ Under the DOE Organization
Act, the Secretary of Energy holds
plenary authority over DOE 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.
S1–DEL–S4–2021, effective February 25,
2021, the Acting Secretary of Energy
delegated ‘‘to the Under Secretary for
Science (and Energy) the authority
vested in [the Secretary] with respect to
the . . . Western Area Power
Administration.’’ By Redelegation Order
No. S4–DEL–OE1–2021, effective March
25, 2021, the Acting Under Secretary for
Science (and Energy) redelegated the
same authority to the Assistant
Secretary for Electricity. Based upon the
governing terms of the existing BCP
Electric Service Contract, the Acting
Assistant Secretary for Electricity is
approving the FY 2022 base charge and
rates for BCP electric service. This rate
action is issued under the Redelegation
Orders and DOE’s procedures for public
participation in rate adjustments as set
forth at 10 CFR part 903 and 10 CFR
part 904.2
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
2022 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service, under Rate Schedule
BCP–F10, into effect on a final basis
through September 30, 2022.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
WAPA has determined this action fits
within the following categorical
exclusions listed in appendix B to
subpart D of 10 CFR 1021: B4.3 (Electric
power marketing rate changes) and B4.4
(Power marketing services and
activities). Categorically excluded
projects and activities do not require
preparation of either an environmental
impact statement (EIS) or an
environmental assessment (EA).3 A
2 50 FR 37835 (Sept. 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347
(Feb. 21, 2019).
3 The determination was done in compliance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347; the
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for
implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); and
DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures and
Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021).
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47306
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
copy of the categorical exclusion
determination is available on WAPA’s
website at https://www.wapa.gov/
regions/DSW/Environment/Pages/
environment.aspx.
Determination Under Executive Order
12866
WAPA has an exemption from
centralized regulatory review under
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no
clearance of this notice by the Office of
Management and Budget is required.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on August 18, 2021,
by Patricia A. Hoffman, Acting 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 19,
2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021–18172 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–0496; FR ID 43963]
Information Collection Being Reviewed
by the Federal Communications
Commission Under Delegated
Authority
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC or
the Commission) invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on the
following information collection.
Comments are requested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Commission, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
the accuracy of the Commission’s
burden estimate; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of
information on the respondents,
including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; and ways to
further reduce the information
collection burden on small business
concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid control
number. No person shall be subject to
any penalty for failing to comply with
a collection of information subject to the
PRA that does not display a valid Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
control number.
DATES: Written PRA comments should
be submitted on or before October 25,
2021. If you anticipate that you will be
submitting comments, but find it
difficult to do so within the period of
time allowed by this notice, you should
advise the contact listed below as soon
as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email PRA@
fcc.gov and to Nicole.Ongele@fcc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information about the
information collection, contact Nicole
Ongele at (202) 418–2991.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Control Number: 3060–0496.
Title: ARMIS Operating Data Report.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities.
Number of Respondents and
Responses: 49 respondents; 49
responses.
Estimated Time per Response: 8
hours.
Frequency of Response: Annual
reporting requirement.
Obligation to Respond: Mandatory.
Statutory authority for this information
collection is contained in 47 U.S.C.
Sections 219 and 220 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
Total Annual Burden: 392 hours.
Total Annual Cost: No cost.
Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No
impact(s).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:
Ordinarily questions of a sensitive
nature are not involved in the ARMIS
Report 43–08. The Commission
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
contends that areas in which detailed
information is required are fully subject
to regulation and the issue of data being
regarded as sensitive will arise in
special circumstances only. In such
circumstances, respondents may request
materials or information submitted to
the Commission be withheld from
public inspection under 47 CFR 0.459 of
the Commission’s rules.
Needs and Uses: The information
contained in FCC Report 43–08 has
helped the Commission fulfill its
regulatory responsibilities. Automated
reporting of these data greatly enhances
the Commission’s ability to process and
analyze the extensive amounts of data
provided in the reports. Automating and
organizing data submitted to the
Commission facilitate the timely and
efficient analysis of revenue
requirements, rates of return and price
caps, and provide an improved basis for
auditing and other oversight functions.
Automated reporting also enhances the
Commission’s ability to quantify the
effects of policy proposals. The
Commission has granted all carriers
forbearance from many of the
requirements of ARMIS 43–08
conditioned on approval of a data
retention compliance plan and
continued submission of certain ARMIS
43–08 data related to access lines in
service to customers.
Federal Communications Commission.
Katura Jackson,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of the
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021–18178 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[OMB 3060–1122; FR ID 43943]
Information Collection Being Reviewed
by the Federal Communications
Commission
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
As part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC or
Commission) invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on the
following information collections.
Comments are requested concerning:
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47304-47306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18172]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice concerning fiscal year 2022 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) 2022 under Rate
Schedule BCP-F10. The base charge increased 2.9 percent from $65.4
million in FY 2021 to $67.4 million in FY 2022. The change is primarily
the result of an increase in the Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation)
replacement costs, an increase in the Western Area Power
Administration's (WAPA) operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses and
replacement costs, and a decrease in prior year carryover funds from FY
2021.
DATES: The FY 2022 base charge and rates will be effective October 1,
2021 and will remain in effect through September 30, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack D. Murray, Acting 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 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 WAPA and
Reclamation projected costs of investment repayment, interest, 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 2021 BCP base charge and rates
expire on September 30, 2021.
Comparison of Base Charge and Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2021 FY 2022 Amount change Percent change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Charge ($)......................... $65,443,462 $67,355,778 $1,912,316 2.9
Composite Rate (mills/kWh).............. 18.10 20.63 2.53 14.0
Energy Rate (mills/kWh)................. 9.05 10.32 1.27 14.0
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo)................. $1.69 $2.03 $0.34 20.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 47305]]
Reclamation's FY 2022 budget is increasing by $1.6 million to $81.7
million, a 2 percent increase from FY 2021. While O&M costs are
decreasing by $4.4 million compared to FY 2021, there was a minimal
increase of $44,000 for post-retirement benefits and replacement costs
are increasing by $4.4 million due to the addition of new projects and
the inclusion of projects that were previously deferred due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Visitor services costs are also increasing by $1.5
million in FY 2022, primarily due to a $1 million reallocation of
expenses from administrative and general expenses in O&M to visitor
services expenses. Higher labor projections in salaries, overtime,
overhead, and benefits also contribute to the visitor services
increase.
WAPA's FY 2022 budget is increasing by $762,000 to $9.2 million, a
9.1 percent increase from FY 2021. A $247,000 increase in WAPA's
replacement budget for communication equipment and higher O&M expenses
of $520,000 account for this increase. The increase in O&M expenses is
primarily due to the following: The Hoover-Mead transmission line lease
costs, which were not budgeted in FY 2021; an updated distribution of
labor costs resulting from the closure of the Navajo Generating Station
near Page, Arizona; and higher labor projections for salaries,
overtime, overhead, and benefits in power operations. The increase in
replacements and O&M costs is offset by a modest decrease in facility
expenses and post-retirement benefits.
The cost increase for both Reclamation and WAPA is offset by a $2.1
million increase in non-power revenue projections due to the added
commercial use authorization for road-based tours. Prior year carryover
is estimated to be $2.7 million, a $1.7 million decrease from FY 2021.
While the base charge is increasing 2.9 percent, the composite and
energy rates are both increasing 14 percent and the capacity rate is
increasing 20.1 percent from FY 2021. Projections of energy and
capacity are decreasing in FY 2022 due to the ongoing drought in the
Lower Colorado River Basin. Reclamation and WAPA work collaboratively
each year to minimize budget increases to moderate the financial impact
of the drought to the rates. For FY 2022, Reclamation and WAPA were
able to reduce previously formulated budgets and defer projects to
decrease costs by $4 million. Without this decrease in costs, the base
charge would have increased approximately $5.9 million instead of $1.9
million.
Public Notice and Comment
The notice of the proposed FY 2022 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 15, 2021, a Federal Register notice (86 FR 19881)
announced the proposed base charge and rates and initiated the 90-day
public consultation and comment period.
2. On May 17, 2021, WAPA held a public information forum by web
conference. WAPA and Reclamation representatives explained the proposed
base charge and rates and answered questions. Presentation materials
and supplemental information requested by customers were posted to
WAPA's website.
3. On June 14, 2021, 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 14, 2021, the public consultation and comment period
ended with WAPA receiving no comments.
Certification of Rates
WAPA's Administrator certified that the FY 2022 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 2022 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 ``adjust[ment], 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
[p]roject.'' WAPA's Administrator provided all BCP contractors an
opportunity to comment 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 states that for
years other than the first year and each fifth year thereafter, when
the rate schedule is approved by the Deputy Secretary on a provisional
basis and by FERC on a final basis, adjustments to the base charge
``shall become effective upon approval by the Deputy Secretary of
Energy.'' Under the DOE Organization Act, the Secretary of Energy holds
plenary authority over DOE 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. S1-DEL-S4-2021, effective February 25, 2021, the Acting
Secretary of Energy delegated ``to the Under Secretary for Science (and
Energy) the authority vested in [the Secretary] with respect to the . .
. Western Area Power Administration.'' By Redelegation Order No. S4-
DEL-OE1-2021, effective March 25, 2021, the Acting Under Secretary for
Science (and Energy) redelegated the same authority to the Assistant
Secretary for Electricity. Based upon the governing terms of the
existing BCP Electric Service Contract, the Acting Assistant Secretary
for Electricity is approving the FY 2022 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service. This rate action is issued under the Redelegation
Orders and DOE's procedures for public participation in rate
adjustments as set forth at 10 CFR part 903 and 10 CFR part 904.\2\
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\2\ 50 FR 37835 (Sept. 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347 (Feb. 21, 2019).
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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 2022 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service, under Rate Schedule BCP-F10, into effect on a final
basis through September 30, 2022.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
WAPA has determined this action fits within the following
categorical exclusions listed in appendix B to subpart D of 10 CFR
1021: B4.3 (Electric power marketing rate changes) and B4.4 (Power
marketing services and activities). Categorically excluded projects and
activities do not require preparation of either an environmental impact
statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA).\3\ A
[[Page 47306]]
copy of the categorical exclusion determination is available on WAPA's
website at https://www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Environment/Pages/environment.aspx.
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\3\ The determination was done in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321-
4347; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for
implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE NEPA
Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021).
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Determination Under Executive Order 12866
WAPA has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the
Office of Management and Budget is required.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 18,
2021, by Patricia A. Hoffman, Acting 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 19, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2021-18172 Filed 8-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
