2021 Continuation of Temporary Power Sales Program, 50105-50109 [2021-19239]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices into our critical electric infrastructure that the Communist regime’s state sponsored, and state supported hackers are already probing and attacking; (2) there is no requirement that existing Chinese equipment or systems already installed in the electric grid be checked and tested for risks and vulnerabilities; and (3) there is no requirement that newly imported Chinese equipment or systems be checked and tested for risks and vulnerabilities before being installed on the electric grid., as more fully explained in the complaint. Complainant certifies that copies of the complaint were served on the contacts as listed on the Commission’s list of Corporate Officials. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. All interventions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https:// www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through the Commission’s Home Page (https:// 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 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:30 Sep 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. Comment Date: 5:00 Eastern Time on September 15, 2021. Dated: August 31, 2021. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–19206 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Southwestern Power Administration 2021 Continuation of Temporary Power Sales Program Southwestern Power Administration, DOE. AGENCY: Notice that new applications will be accepted for the Southwestern Power Administration Temporary Power Sales Program for 2021. ACTION: Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern) is accepting new applications under its Temporary Power Sales Program for 2021. Electric utility organizations interested in participating in the Temporary Power Sales Program should notify Southwestern of their interest by providing the information requested in the enclosed Resource Data Form B–2 and/or Resource Data Form L–2 to Southwestern. SUMMARY: Completed forms (Resource Data Form B–2 and/or Resource Data Form L–2) will be accepted beginning on September 7, 2021 and ending on October 22, 2021. DATES: Completed forms and any questions or comments should be submitted to Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Southwestern Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, 1 W 3rd St., Suite 1600, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. ADDRESSES: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President/ COO, 918–595–6684 or email: fritha.ohlson@swpa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southwestern markets hydroelectric power pursuant to section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s) from 24 multi-purpose reservoir projects operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These projects are located in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Southwestern marketing area includes these states, plus Kansas and Louisiana. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 U:\07SEN1.SGM 50105 Program Background On June 18, 1987, Southwestern implemented its Temporary Power Sales Program, hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the Program’’ (52 FR 23206). The notice implementing the Program is hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the 1987 FRN.’’ The Program allows existing Southwestern customers to make all or a portion of their allocated federal hydroelectric power and energy from Southwestern (allocation) available to Southwestern for temporary sale to others in the following priority: (1) Public body and cooperative electric utility systems that are present or potential customers (including joint action agencies and any other public body and/or cooperative electric utility organizations that may be able to distribute the benefits of federal hydroelectric power and energy to said public body and cooperative electric utility systems), and (2) electric utilities other than public body and/or cooperative electric utility systems to be selected if no public body or cooperative electric utility systems are available to purchase such federal hydroelectric power and energy. See 52 FR at 23206 at 23207. Entities participating in the Program are referred to as ‘‘loaners’’ and ‘‘borrowers.’’ In response to the 1987 FRN, Southwestern received nine borrower applications and two loaner applications within the period of notice of the 1987 FRN, which began June 18, 1987 and ended August 31, 1987. Of the applications received, Southwestern made one match between two loaners and one borrower for a total of 0.7 megawatts (MW) for a term to continue on a year-to-year basis until terminated by the loaner, the borrower, or Southwestern. (The match was ultimately dissolved on August 17, 2005.) On October 14, 1988, Southwestern sent a letter to its customers soliciting additional interest in the Program and indicating Southwestern’s intention to maintain electric utility data on a biennial basis, with the lists of loaners and borrowers to be renewed every two years. In response to the October 14, 1988 letter, Southwestern received two additional borrower applications and no additional loaner applications. Implementation of the Program continued with two internal memoranda to the file, the first dated August 9, 1989, and the second dated January 17, 1992. These memoranda summarized the results of two separate reviews. Both reviews acknowledged minimal interest in the Program but recommended continuing the Program pending the 07SEN1 50106 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices results of future reviews. Records indicate that no additional reviews occurred until 2019. 2019 Review and Summary Southwestern initiated its 2019 review of the Program after receiving an offer for a loan from the Southwestern customers receiving the output of the Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (Willis). These customers offered all capacity and energy from Willis for loan for a duration to be determined. In response to the loan offer, Southwestern contacted the six remaining participants in the Program to solicit their interest in the output of Willis. All six participants declined. On October 25, 2019, Southwestern announced a continuation of the Program, including a call for new applicants (84 FR 57410). The 2019 notice continuing the Program is hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the 2019 FRN.’’ Southwestern received 20 applications within the period of notice of the 2019 FRN, which began October 25, 2019 and ended December 9, 2019. Of the applications received, Southwestern matched two pairs of loaners and borrowers: One for 2.0 MW for a ten-year term, and one for 1.6 MW for a seven-year term. Southwestern also received applications after the period of notice with the understanding that the applications may be eligible for matching in the interim period between biennial reviews. In November 2020, Southwestern determined that it would postpone consideration of these interim applications until the 2021 review. Applicants were notified of this decision by letter dated December 7, 2020, which also informed the applicants that their applications would remain on file. sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES Summary of Matching Methodology Records indicate that, prior to the 2019 review, there appeared to be no formal matching methodology other than consideration of preference entity status, chronological receipt, and acceptance of applications on an ad hoc basis. For the 2019 review, Southwestern analyzed its existing marketing documents and identified main principles that occurred throughout, including preference entity status; distribution by state; widespread use; transmission; and chronological receipt. Since the concept of preference entity status is established in statutory authorities and within the Program itself, it was considered first and foremost before applying the other principles. VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:30 Sep 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 After determining preference entity status, and starting with the principle that occurred the most and working down the list, Southwestern ranked the borrowers according to how well their respective applications matched a given principle. For example, if a borrower was located in the same state as a loaner, that borrower got a credit for the ‘‘distribution by state’’ principle. This procedure was followed until ties were broken between potential borrowers. 2021 Review and Proposed Program Change Although Southwestern will continue to apply the principles established in the 2019 review to its 2021 review, Southwestern has identified a need to further clarify how it establishes ‘‘chronological receipt.’’ For the purposes of the 2021 matching process, Southwestern will determine chronological receipt as follows: 1. The six entities currently considered active under the 1987 FRN will have a chronological receipt date assigned in one of two ways: If an entity submitted a new application under the 2019 FRN, that entity’s application will be assigned the chronological receipt date of the new application. If an entity did not submit a new application under the 2019 FRN, that entity’s existing application will be assigned a new chronological receipt date of April 6, 2021, which is the date Southwestern began its 2021 review. 2. All entities that submitted applications under the 2019 FRN during the period of notice and that have not voluntarily withdrawn their respective applications will remain in the Program with their original chronological receipt dates. 3. All entities that submitted applications outside the period of notice of the 2019 FRN will remain in the Program with their original chronological receipt dates. 4. All entities that submit new applications in response to this Federal Register notice will be assigned new chronological receipt dates that will supersede any previous receipt date. At the conclusion of the 2021 matching process, Southwestern intends to implement the following changes to simplify the Program, increase transparency, and reduce unnecessary confusion: 1. All unmatched applicants will be withdrawn from the Program and are free to re-apply during any future period of notice. 2. Southwestern will no longer consider applications submitted outside the period of notice of this or any future Federal Register notice. PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 U:\07SEN1.SGM Procedures for Applying to the Program Interested parties are requested to complete Resource Data Forms containing information pertinent to the Program. The Resource Data Forms will be accepted during the period of notice specified in this Federal Register notice (see DATES). Resource Data Forms received after that period will not be accepted. Receipt date of a Resource Data Form will be based on the earliest date Southwestern received the transmittal instrument conveying the Resource Data Form: For example, the earlier of the ‘‘Received’’ date of an email if conveyed through email; the received date stamp from Southwestern’s mail room of a hard copy letter if conveyed through the U.S. Mail; or the received log date from Southwestern’s mail room of a package or letter if conveyed through a delivery service or certified U.S. Mail. Each applicant will be sent a confirmation from Southwestern of the receipt of its application, and the confirmation will include the entity name to be associated with the application, the loan or borrow details, and the date of receipt. Applicants will be asked to concur with the confirmation in writing. Following the 2021 matching process, notification of the results will be sent to all applicants. The notification will include a summary of matches made, a notification that all applications are withdrawn from the Program as of the date of the notification, and an announcement that new applications will be solicited via Federal Register notice following the next review, tentatively scheduled for 2023. Submission of Resource Data Forms in no way obligates an applicant to loan or borrow under the Program. If a match is identified, Southwestern will work with the loaner and borrower to document the sale. Conversely, submission of Resource Data Forms in no way obligates Southwestern to make any sales under the Program. Such sales will be made at the sole discretion of Southwestern. Allocations made available to Southwestern under the Program will be sold on a temporary basis, and for an initial period of not less than one (1) year, provided the selected borrower(s) have, or must be able to arrange, the transmission rights to receive such federal hydroelectric power and energy. Therefore, in accordance with the priority expressed herein, Southwestern is hereby issuing this ‘‘Notice that new applications will be accepted for the Southwestern Power Administration Temporary Power Sales Program.’’ 07SEN1 sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices Electric utility organizations interested in participating in the Program should notify Southwestern of their interest by providing the information requested in the enclosed Resource Data Form B–2 and/or Resource Data Form L–2 to Southwestern (see DATES). To assist Southwestern in best matching loaners and borrowers, applicants are encouraged to use the ‘‘Additional information’’ section at the bottom of the forms to describe specific resources they want to borrow or loan. Fillable versions of these forms will also be made available on the Southwestern website at https://www.swpa.gov. Based on the responses received, Southwestern, at its sole discretion, may elect to hold one or more public meetings to afford all responders equal opportunity to have their responses addressed. and accepting new applications thereunder does not have a significant effect on the environment since peaking sales made under the Program will merely replace other peaking sales and resulting reservoir operations will not be affected. Southwestern has further determined that the action fits 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 B4.1, ‘‘Contracts, policies, and marketing and allocation plans for electric power,’’ and B4.4, ‘‘Power marketing services and activities.’’ On May 26, 2021, Southwestern determined that categorical exclusions B4.1 and B4.4 apply to the current action. Environmental Impact Southwestern previously determined that the action of creating the Program Signing Authority This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 30, 2021, VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:30 Sep 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 U:\07SEN1.SGM 50107 by Mike Wech, Administrator, 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 September 1, 2021. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 07SEN1 50108 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices Southwestern Power Administration (SWP A) Hydroelectric Power Borrowing Program Resource Data Form B-2 Name of Utility System _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address Utility Manager _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ------------------------------- Telephone Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 1. Is your utility interested now, or in the near future, in borrowing Federal hydroelectric power that is available for loan on a temporary basis for distribution by SWP A? Federal Capacity Only Federal Energy Only [ ] Yes [ ] Yes [ ] No Both Federal Capacity and Federal Energy [ ] No [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. If yes, please indicate the quantities and types of Federal hydroelectric power your utility would be interested in borrowing and the desired time frames. Federal Federal Both Federal Capacity Only Energy Only Capacity and Energy kW kWh kW kWh Quantity _ __ Start Borrowing (Day, Month, Year) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Stop Borrowing (Day, Month, Year) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Additional information (optional): _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 3. Does your utility have the transmission rights or is your utility able to arrange the transmission rights to receive Federal hydroelectric power from SWPA? [ ] Yes [ ] No EN07SE21.024</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:30 Sep 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 U:\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1 EN07SE21.023</GPH> sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES If yes, describe the transmission rights in detail. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 7, 2021 / Notices 50109 Southwestern Power Administration (SWP A) Hydroelectric Power Loaning Program Resource Data Form L-2 Name of Utility System _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address -------------------------------- Utility Manager _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Telephone Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 1. Does your utility presently have, or expect to have in the near future, Federal hydroelectric power that is available for loan on a temporary basis for distribution by SWPA? Federal Capacity Only Federal Energy Only [ ] Yes [ ] Yes [ ] No Both Federal Capacity and Federal Energy [ ] No [ ] Yes [ ] No 2. If yes, please indicate the quantities and types of Federal hydroelectric power your utility is willing to loan and the time frames available. Federal Capacity Only Federal Energy Only kW kWh Both Federal Capacity and Energy kW kWh Quantity _ __ Begin Loan (Day, Month, Year) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ End Loan (Day, Month, Year) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Additional information (optional): _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ BILLING CODE 6450–01–C ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with NOTICES [EPA–HQ–OAR–2020–0627; FRL–8957–01– OMS] Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Petroleum Refineries (Renewal) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 00:30 Sep 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 U:\07SEN1.SGM The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted an information collection request (ICR), NSPS for Petroleum Refineries (EPA ICR Number 1054.14, OMB Control Number 2060–0022), to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, which is currently approved through December 31, 2021. Public comments were previously requested, via the Federal Register, on February 8, 2021 during a SUMMARY: 07SEN1 EN07SE21.025</GPH> [FR Doc. 2021–19239 Filed 9–3–21; 8:45 am]

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50105-50109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19239]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Southwestern Power Administration


2021 Continuation of Temporary Power Sales Program

AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice that new applications will be accepted for the 
Southwestern Power Administration Temporary Power Sales Program for 
2021.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern) is accepting 
new applications under its Temporary Power Sales Program for 2021. 
Electric utility organizations interested in participating in the 
Temporary Power Sales Program should notify Southwestern of their 
interest by providing the information requested in the enclosed 
Resource Data Form B-2 and/or Resource Data Form L-2 to Southwestern.

DATES: Completed forms (Resource Data Form B-2 and/or Resource Data 
Form L-2) will be accepted beginning on September 7, 2021 and ending on 
October 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Completed forms and any questions or comments should be 
submitted to Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President and Chief 
Operating Officer (COO), Southwestern Power Administration, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1 W 3rd St., Suite 1600, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice 
President/COO, 918-595-6684 or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southwestern markets hydroelectric power 
pursuant to section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s) 
from 24 multi-purpose reservoir projects operated by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers. These projects are located in Arkansas, Missouri, 
Oklahoma, and Texas. The Southwestern marketing area includes these 
states, plus Kansas and Louisiana.

Program Background

    On June 18, 1987, Southwestern implemented its Temporary Power 
Sales Program, hereinafter referred to as ``the Program'' (52 FR 
23206). The notice implementing the Program is hereinafter referred to 
as ``the 1987 FRN.'' The Program allows existing Southwestern customers 
to make all or a portion of their allocated federal hydroelectric power 
and energy from Southwestern (allocation) available to Southwestern for 
temporary sale to others in the following priority: (1) Public body and 
cooperative electric utility systems that are present or potential 
customers (including joint action agencies and any other public body 
and/or cooperative electric utility organizations that may be able to 
distribute the benefits of federal hydroelectric power and energy to 
said public body and cooperative electric utility systems), and (2) 
electric utilities other than public body and/or cooperative electric 
utility systems to be selected if no public body or cooperative 
electric utility systems are available to purchase such federal 
hydroelectric power and energy. See 52 FR at 23206 at 23207. Entities 
participating in the Program are referred to as ``loaners'' and 
``borrowers.''
    In response to the 1987 FRN, Southwestern received nine borrower 
applications and two loaner applications within the period of notice of 
the 1987 FRN, which began June 18, 1987 and ended August 31, 1987. Of 
the applications received, Southwestern made one match between two 
loaners and one borrower for a total of 0.7 megawatts (MW) for a term 
to continue on a year-to-year basis until terminated by the loaner, the 
borrower, or Southwestern. (The match was ultimately dissolved on 
August 17, 2005.)
    On October 14, 1988, Southwestern sent a letter to its customers 
soliciting additional interest in the Program and indicating 
Southwestern's intention to maintain electric utility data on a 
biennial basis, with the lists of loaners and borrowers to be renewed 
every two years.
    In response to the October 14, 1988 letter, Southwestern received 
two additional borrower applications and no additional loaner 
applications. Implementation of the Program continued with two internal 
memoranda to the file, the first dated August 9, 1989, and the second 
dated January 17, 1992. These memoranda summarized the results of two 
separate reviews. Both reviews acknowledged minimal interest in the 
Program but recommended continuing the Program pending the

[[Page 50106]]

results of future reviews. Records indicate that no additional reviews 
occurred until 2019.

2019 Review and Summary

    Southwestern initiated its 2019 review of the Program after 
receiving an offer for a loan from the Southwestern customers receiving 
the output of the Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (Willis). These 
customers offered all capacity and energy from Willis for loan for a 
duration to be determined.
    In response to the loan offer, Southwestern contacted the six 
remaining participants in the Program to solicit their interest in the 
output of Willis. All six participants declined.
    On October 25, 2019, Southwestern announced a continuation of the 
Program, including a call for new applicants (84 FR 57410). The 2019 
notice continuing the Program is hereinafter referred to as ``the 2019 
FRN.'' Southwestern received 20 applications within the period of 
notice of the 2019 FRN, which began October 25, 2019 and ended December 
9, 2019. Of the applications received, Southwestern matched two pairs 
of loaners and borrowers: One for 2.0 MW for a ten-year term, and one 
for 1.6 MW for a seven-year term.
    Southwestern also received applications after the period of notice 
with the understanding that the applications may be eligible for 
matching in the interim period between biennial reviews. In November 
2020, Southwestern determined that it would postpone consideration of 
these interim applications until the 2021 review. Applicants were 
notified of this decision by letter dated December 7, 2020, which also 
informed the applicants that their applications would remain on file.

Summary of Matching Methodology

    Records indicate that, prior to the 2019 review, there appeared to 
be no formal matching methodology other than consideration of 
preference entity status, chronological receipt, and acceptance of 
applications on an ad hoc basis. For the 2019 review, Southwestern 
analyzed its existing marketing documents and identified main 
principles that occurred throughout, including preference entity 
status; distribution by state; widespread use; transmission; and 
chronological receipt. Since the concept of preference entity status is 
established in statutory authorities and within the Program itself, it 
was considered first and foremost before applying the other principles.
    After determining preference entity status, and starting with the 
principle that occurred the most and working down the list, 
Southwestern ranked the borrowers according to how well their 
respective applications matched a given principle. For example, if a 
borrower was located in the same state as a loaner, that borrower got a 
credit for the ``distribution by state'' principle. This procedure was 
followed until ties were broken between potential borrowers.

2021 Review and Proposed Program Change

    Although Southwestern will continue to apply the principles 
established in the 2019 review to its 2021 review, Southwestern has 
identified a need to further clarify how it establishes ``chronological 
receipt.'' For the purposes of the 2021 matching process, Southwestern 
will determine chronological receipt as follows:
    1. The six entities currently considered active under the 1987 FRN 
will have a chronological receipt date assigned in one of two ways: If 
an entity submitted a new application under the 2019 FRN, that entity's 
application will be assigned the chronological receipt date of the new 
application. If an entity did not submit a new application under the 
2019 FRN, that entity's existing application will be assigned a new 
chronological receipt date of April 6, 2021, which is the date 
Southwestern began its 2021 review.
    2. All entities that submitted applications under the 2019 FRN 
during the period of notice and that have not voluntarily withdrawn 
their respective applications will remain in the Program with their 
original chronological receipt dates.
    3. All entities that submitted applications outside the period of 
notice of the 2019 FRN will remain in the Program with their original 
chronological receipt dates.
    4. All entities that submit new applications in response to this 
Federal Register notice will be assigned new chronological receipt 
dates that will supersede any previous receipt date.
    At the conclusion of the 2021 matching process, Southwestern 
intends to implement the following changes to simplify the Program, 
increase transparency, and reduce unnecessary confusion:
    1. All unmatched applicants will be withdrawn from the Program and 
are free to re-apply during any future period of notice.
    2. Southwestern will no longer consider applications submitted 
outside the period of notice of this or any future Federal Register 
notice.

Procedures for Applying to the Program

    Interested parties are requested to complete Resource Data Forms 
containing information pertinent to the Program. The Resource Data 
Forms will be accepted during the period of notice specified in this 
Federal Register notice (see DATES). Resource Data Forms received after 
that period will not be accepted. Receipt date of a Resource Data Form 
will be based on the earliest date Southwestern received the 
transmittal instrument conveying the Resource Data Form: For example, 
the earlier of the ``Received'' date of an email if conveyed through 
email; the received date stamp from Southwestern's mail room of a hard 
copy letter if conveyed through the U.S. Mail; or the received log date 
from Southwestern's mail room of a package or letter if conveyed 
through a delivery service or certified U.S. Mail.
    Each applicant will be sent a confirmation from Southwestern of the 
receipt of its application, and the confirmation will include the 
entity name to be associated with the application, the loan or borrow 
details, and the date of receipt. Applicants will be asked to concur 
with the confirmation in writing.
    Following the 2021 matching process, notification of the results 
will be sent to all applicants. The notification will include a summary 
of matches made, a notification that all applications are withdrawn 
from the Program as of the date of the notification, and an 
announcement that new applications will be solicited via Federal 
Register notice following the next review, tentatively scheduled for 
2023.
    Submission of Resource Data Forms in no way obligates an applicant 
to loan or borrow under the Program. If a match is identified, 
Southwestern will work with the loaner and borrower to document the 
sale. Conversely, submission of Resource Data Forms in no way obligates 
Southwestern to make any sales under the Program. Such sales will be 
made at the sole discretion of Southwestern.
    Allocations made available to Southwestern under the Program will 
be sold on a temporary basis, and for an initial period of not less 
than one (1) year, provided the selected borrower(s) have, or must be 
able to arrange, the transmission rights to receive such federal 
hydroelectric power and energy.
    Therefore, in accordance with the priority expressed herein, 
Southwestern is hereby issuing this ``Notice that new applications will 
be accepted for the Southwestern Power Administration Temporary Power 
Sales Program.''

[[Page 50107]]

    Electric utility organizations interested in participating in the 
Program should notify Southwestern of their interest by providing the 
information requested in the enclosed Resource Data Form B-2 and/or 
Resource Data Form L-2 to Southwestern (see DATES). To assist 
Southwestern in best matching loaners and borrowers, applicants are 
encouraged to use the ``Additional information'' section at the bottom 
of the forms to describe specific resources they want to borrow or 
loan. Fillable versions of these forms will also be made available on 
the Southwestern website at https://www.swpa.gov.
    Based on the responses received, Southwestern, at its sole 
discretion, may elect to hold one or more public meetings to afford all 
responders equal opportunity to have their responses addressed.

Environmental Impact

    Southwestern previously determined that the action of creating the 
Program and accepting new applications thereunder does not have a 
significant effect on the environment since peaking sales made under 
the Program will merely replace other peaking sales and resulting 
reservoir operations will not be affected. Southwestern has further 
determined that the action fits 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 B4.1, ``Contracts, policies, and 
marketing and allocation plans for electric power,'' and B4.4, ``Power 
marketing services and activities.'' On May 26, 2021, Southwestern 
determined that categorical exclusions B4.1 and B4.4 apply to the 
current action.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 30, 
2021, by Mike Wech, Administrator, 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 September 1, 2021.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

[[Page 50108]]

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[[Page 50109]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07SE21.025

[FR Doc. 2021-19239 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-C


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