Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project Rate Schedule, 67274-67275 [2023-21453]

Download as PDF 67274 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 188 / Friday, September 29, 2023 / Notices disposition under the FPA, whichever comes first. Dated: September 25, 2023. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2023–21505 Filed 9–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Southwestern Power Administration Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project Rate Schedule Southwestern Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of rate order. AGENCY: The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), has approved and placed into effect Rate Order No. SWPA–83, which provides a temporary extension of Southwestern’s current Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project rate schedule (RDW–15) through September 30, 2024, unless superseded. DATES: Extension of the rate schedule is effective October 1, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Corporate Operations, (918) 595–6684, fritha.ohlson@swpa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rate Order No. SWPA–83, as contained herein, has been approved and placed into effect by the Administrator, Southwestern, and provides for the temporary extension, through September 30, 2024, unless superseded, of the Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project Rate Schedule RDW–15, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy. SUMMARY: United States of America Department of Energy lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration In the matter of: Southwestern Power Administration, Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project Rate Schedule, Rate Order No. SWPA–83 Order Approving Extension of Rate Schedule on a Temporary Basis ( 9/25/ 2023 ) Pursuant to Sections 301(b) and 302(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7152(a), the functions of the Secretary of the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to the Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:46 Sep 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 were transferred to and vested in the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. S1–DEL–RATES–2016, 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 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). By Delegation Order No. S1–DEL–S3– 2023, effective April 10, 2023, the 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 Infrastructure. By Redelegation Order No. S3–DEL–SWPA1–2023, effective April 10, 2023, the Under Secretary for Infrastructure redelegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Southwestern Administrator. Background On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order No. SWPA–70, the Deputy Secretary of Energy placed into effect the current Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) rate schedule (RDW– 15) on an interim basis for the period January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. FERC confirmed and approved RDW–15 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 extended RDW–15 for two years, for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021. On August 30, 2021, in Rate Order No. SWPA–79, the Administrator, Southwestern, extended RDW–15 for two years, for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Discussion Southwestern’s current rate schedule for the Robert D. Willis isolated rate system, RDW–15, is based on the 2015 Power Repayment Study (PRS). Each subsequent annual PRS through 2022 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 Robert D. Willis through 2022. The PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2023 PRS indicated a need for a revenue adjustment above five percent and therefore a new rate is needed. However, finalization of the 2023 PRS, development of a rate adjustment plan including a new rate schedule (RDW– 23), and the associated procedures for public participation in accordance with 10 CFR part 903 will not be completed in time for the new rate schedule to be placed into effect prior to the September 30, 2023, expiration of the current rate schedule and thus temporary extension of the current rate schedule is necessary. Pursuant to 10 CFR 903.23(b) and Redelegation Order No. S3–DEL– SWPA1–2023, Southwestern’s Administrator may extend existing rates on a temporary basis without advance notice or comment pending further action. In such a circumstance, the Administrator shall publish notice of said extension in the Federal Register and promptly advise FERC of the extension. The revenue collection associated with the extension of the current rate will be considered in the development of the new rate based on the 2023 PRS such that repayment obligations are met consistent with the provisions of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order No. RA 6120.2. Availability of Information Information regarding the extension of the rate schedule is available for public review in the offices of Southwestern Power Administration, Williams Tower I, One West Third Street Suite 1500, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. The rate schedule is available on the Southwestern website at www.energy.gov/swpa/rates-andrepayment. Order In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Secretary of Energy, I hereby extend, effective October 1, 2023, Robert D. Willis Rate Schedule RDW–15, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy. The rate schedule shall remain in effect on a temporary basis through September 30, 2024, unless superseded. Signing Authority This document of the Department of Energy was signed on September 25, 2023, 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 E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 188 / Friday, September 29, 2023 / Notices 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 26, 2023. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2023–21453 Filed 9–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Southwestern Power Administration Integrated System Rate Schedules Southwestern Power Administration, DOE. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of rate order. The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), has approved and placed into effect Rate Order No. SWPA–81, which provides a temporary extension of Southwestern’s current Integrated System rate schedules (P– 13B, NFTS–13A, and EE–13) through September 30, 2024, unless superseded. SUMMARY: Extension of the rate schedules is effective October 1, 2023. DATES: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Corporate Operations, (918) 595–6684, fritha.ohlson@swpa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rate Order No. SWPA–81, as contained herein, has been approved and placed into effect by the Administrator, Southwestern, and provides for the temporary extension, through September 30, 2024, unless superseded, of the Integrated System Rate Schedule P–13B, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Peaking Power; Rate Schedule NFTS–13A, Wholesale Rates for NonFederal Transmission/Interconnection Facilities Service; and Rate Schedule EE–13, Wholesale Rates for Excess Energy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ADMINISTRATOR, SOUTHWESTERN POWER ADMINISTRATION In the matter of: Southwestern Power Administration Integrated System Rate Schedules Rate Order No. SWPA–81 VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:46 Sep 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 67275 (9/25/2023) Pursuant to Sections 301(b) and 302(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7152(a), the functions of the Secretary of the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to the Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), were transferred to and vested in the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. S1–DEL–RATES–2016, 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 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). By Delegation Order No. S1–DEL–S3– 2023, effective April 10, 2023, the 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 Infrastructure. By Redelegation Order No. S3–DEL–SWPA1–2023, effective April 10, 2023, the Under Secretary for Infrastructure redelegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis to the Southwestern Administrator. 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 to incorporate a new section regarding requirements for the peaking energy schedule submission time. 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 August 30, 2021, in Rate Order No. SWPA–77, the Administrator, Southwestern, extended all of Southwestern’s Integrated System rate schedules (P–13A, NFTS–13A, EE–13) for two years, for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Southwestern re-designated Integrated System rate schedule ‘‘P–13A’’ as ‘‘P– 13B’’ with no revenue adjustment to update the peaking energy schedule submission time requirements. In Rate Order No. SWPA–80, the Administrator, Southwestern, placed into effect Southwestern’s rate schedule for P–13B on an interim basis beginning July 15, 2023. The P–13B rate schedule has been submitted to FERC for confirmation and approval on a final basis. BACKGROUND 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. 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 DISCUSSION Southwestern’s current Integrated System rate schedules (P–13B, NFTS– 13A, and EE–13) are based on its 2013 Power Repayment Study (PRS). Southwestern has conducted PRSs annually thereafter through 2023. Each PRS from 2014 through 2022 indicated a need for a revenue adjustment 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. Thus, the Administrator has deferred revenue adjustments annually through 2022. The 2023 PRS indicated a need for a revenue adjustment above two percent and therefore Southwestern is working towards finalization of the 2023 PRS and development of a rate adjustment plan including design of a new set of ORDER APPROVING EXTENSION OF RATE SCHEDULES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67274-67275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21453]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Southwestern Power Administration


Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project Rate Schedule

AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of rate order.

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

SUMMARY: The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration 
(Southwestern), has approved and placed into effect Rate Order No. 
SWPA-83, which provides a temporary extension of Southwestern's current 
Robert D. Willis Hydropower Project rate schedule (RDW-15) through 
September 30, 2024, unless superseded.

DATES: Extension of the rate schedule is effective October 1, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Fritha Ohlson, Senior Vice 
President, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Corporate Operations, 
(918) 595-6684, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rate Order No. SWPA-83, as contained herein, 
has been approved and placed into effect by the Administrator, 
Southwestern, and provides for the temporary extension, through 
September 30, 2024, unless superseded, of the Robert D. Willis 
Hydropower Project Rate Schedule RDW-15, Wholesale Rates for Hydro 
Power and Energy.

United States of America

Department of Energy

Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration

In the matter of: Southwestern Power Administration, Robert D. Willis 
Hydropower Project Rate Schedule, Rate Order No. SWPA-83

Order Approving Extension of Rate Schedule on a Temporary Basis ( 9/25/
2023 )

    Pursuant to Sections 301(b) and 302(a) of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7152(a), the functions of the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under 
Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating to 
the Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern), were transferred 
to and vested in the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation Order No. S1-
DEL-RATES-2016, 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 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). By 
Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-S3-2023, effective April 10, 2023, the 
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 Infrastructure. By Redelegation Order No. S3-DEL-SWPA1-
2023, effective April 10, 2023, the Under Secretary for Infrastructure 
redelegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates 
into effect on an interim basis to the Southwestern Administrator.

Background

    On December 17, 2015, in Rate Order No. SWPA-70, the Deputy 
Secretary of Energy placed into effect the current Robert D. Willis 
Hydropower Project (Robert D. Willis) rate schedule (RDW-15) on an 
interim basis for the period January 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. 
FERC confirmed and approved RDW-15 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 extended 
RDW-15 for two years, for the period of October 1, 2019 through 
September 30, 2021. On August 30, 2021, in Rate Order No. SWPA-79, the 
Administrator, Southwestern, extended RDW-15 for two years, for the 
period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023.

Discussion

    Southwestern's current rate schedule for the Robert D. Willis 
isolated rate system, RDW-15, is based on the 2015 Power Repayment 
Study (PRS). Each subsequent annual PRS through 2022 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 Robert D. 
Willis through 2022. The 2023 PRS indicated a need for a revenue 
adjustment above five percent and therefore a new rate is needed. 
However, finalization of the 2023 PRS, development of a rate adjustment 
plan including a new rate schedule (RDW-23), and the associated 
procedures for public participation in accordance with 10 CFR part 903 
will not be completed in time for the new rate schedule to be placed 
into effect prior to the September 30, 2023, expiration of the current 
rate schedule and thus temporary extension of the current rate schedule 
is necessary. Pursuant to 10 CFR 903.23(b) and Redelegation Order No. 
S3-DEL-SWPA1-2023, Southwestern's Administrator may extend existing 
rates on a temporary basis without advance notice or comment pending 
further action. In such a circumstance, the Administrator shall publish 
notice of said extension in the Federal Register and promptly advise 
FERC of the extension. The revenue collection associated with the 
extension of the current rate will be considered in the development of 
the new rate based on the 2023 PRS such that repayment obligations are 
met consistent with the provisions of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 
Order No. RA 6120.2.

Availability of Information

    Information regarding the extension of the rate schedule is 
available for public review in the offices of Southwestern Power 
Administration, Williams Tower I, One West Third Street Suite 1500, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. The rate schedule is available on the 
Southwestern website at www.energy.gov/swpa/rates-and-repayment.

Order

    In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated to 
me by the Secretary of Energy, I hereby extend, effective October 1, 
2023, Robert D. Willis Rate Schedule RDW-15, Wholesale Rates for Hydro 
Power and Energy. The rate schedule shall remain in effect on a 
temporary basis through September 30, 2024, unless superseded.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on September 
25, 2023, 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

[[Page 67275]]

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 26, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-21453 Filed 9-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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