Boulder Canyon Project, 70629-70631 [2024-19562]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 169 / Friday, August 30, 2024 / Notices
Street Suite 1500, Tulsa, Oklahoma
74103. Rate Schedule SRD–23 is
available on Southwestern’s website at
www.energy.gov/swpa/rates-andrepayment.
Certification of Rates
I have certified that the provisional
rate under Rate Schedule SRD–23 is the
lowest possible rate consistent with
sound business principles. The rate was
developed following administrative
policies and applicable laws.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
Southwestern has determined that
this action fits within the following
categorical exclusions listed in
appendix B to subpart D of 10 CFR
1021.410: B4.3 (Electric power
marketing rate changes). Categorically
excluded projects and activities do not
require preparation of either an
environmental impact statement or an
environmental assessment. A copy of
the categorical exclusion determination
is available on Southwestern’s website
at https://www.energy.gov/swpa/
southwestern-power-administration.
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.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Submission to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission
Rate Schedule SRD–23 herein
confirmed, approved, and placed into
effect on an interim basis, together with
supporting documents, will be
submitted to FERC for confirmation and
final approval.
Order
In view of the foregoing and pursuant
to the authority delegated to me by the
Secretary of Energy, I hereby confirm,
approve and place in effect on an
interim basis, effective October 1, 2024,
Rate Schedule SRD–23, Wholesale Rates
for Hydro Power and Energy at Sam
Rayburn Dam and Reservoir. The rate
schedule shall remain in effect on a
temporary basis through September 30,
2027, or until the FERC confirms and
approves the rate on a final basis, or
until it is superseded by a subsequent
rate.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on August 26, 2024,
by Michael S. Wech, Administrator for
Southwestern Power Administration,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:35 Aug 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
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 August 27,
2024.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY
SOUTHWESTERN POWER
ADMINISTRATION
Rate Schedule SRD–23 1
Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and
Energy
At Sam Rayburn Dam and Reservoir
Effective
During the period October 1, 2024,
through September 30, 2027, in
accordance with interim approval from
Rate Order No. SWPA–84 issued by the
Administrator on October 1, 2024, and
pursuant to final approval by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Applicable
To wholesale customers which have
contractual rights from Southwestern
Power Administration (Southwestern) to
purchase the Hydro Power and Energy
generated at the Sam Rayburn Dam and
Reservoir.
Character and Conditions of Service
Three-phase, alternating current,
delivered at approximately 60 Hertz, at
the nominal voltage, at the point of
delivery, and in such quantities as are
specified by contract.
1. Wholesale Rates, Terms, and
Conditions for Hydro Power and Energy
1.1. This rate shall be applicable
regardless of the quantity of Hydro
Power and Energy available or delivered
from the Sam Rayburn Dam and
Reservoir; provided, however, that if an
Uncontrollable Force prevents
utilization of both of the project’s power
generating units for an entire billing
period, and if during such billing period
water releases were being made which
1 Supersedes
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Rate Schedule SRD–15
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
70629
otherwise would have been used to
generate Hydro Power and Energy, then
Southwestern shall, upon request by the
customer(s), suspend billing for
subsequent billing periods, until such
time as at least one of the project’s
generating units is again available.
1.2. The term ‘‘Uncontrollable Force,’’
as used herein, shall mean any force
which is not within the control of the
party affected, including, but not
limited to, failure of water supply,
failure of facilities, flood, earthquake,
storm, lightning, fire, epidemic, riot,
civil disturbance, labor disturbance,
sabotage, war, acts of war, terrorist acts,
or restraint by court of general
jurisdiction, which by exercise of due
diligence and foresight such party could
not reasonably have been expected to
avoid.
1.3. Hydro Power Rates, Terms, and
Conditions
1.3.1. Monthly Charge for the Period
of October 1, 2024, through September
30, 2027
$460,549 per month ($5,526,588 per
year) for Sam Rayburn Dam Hydro
Power and Energy purchased from
October 1, 2024, through September 30,
2027.
[FR Doc. 2024–19564 Filed 8–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice concerning fiscal year
2025 base charge and rates for electric
service.
AGENCY:
The Deputy Secretary
confirms, approves, and places into
effect on a final basis the Western Area
Power Administration (WAPA) Desert
Southwest Region’s (DSW) fiscal year
(FY) 2025 base charge and rates for
Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric
service under Rate Schedule BCP–F11.
The FY 2025 base charge is unchanged
from FY 2024 and will remain at $74.3
million.
DATES: The FY 2025 base charge and
rates are effective October 1, 2024, and
will remain in effect through September
30, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack
D. Murray, Regional Manager, Desert
Southwest Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 6457,
Phoenix, AZ 85005–6457, or Tina
Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert
Southwest Region, Western Area Power
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
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70630
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 169 / Friday, August 30, 2024 / Notices
set forth the date and location of the
public information and public comment
forums.
The rate-setting methodology for BCP
electric service requires calculation of
an annual base charge rather than a unit
rate for Hoover Dam hydropower. The
base charge recovers an annual revenue
requirement that includes projected
costs of investment repayment, interest,
operations, maintenance, replacements,
payments to states, and Hoover Dam
visitor services. Non-power revenue
projections such as water sales, Hoover
Dam visitor revenue, ancillary services,
Administration, (602) 605–2565, or
email: dswpwrmrk@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
31, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) approved and
confirmed Rate Schedule BCP–F11,
under Rate Order No. WAPA–204, on a
final basis through September 30, 2027.1
WAPA published a Federal Register
notice (Proposed FRN) on April 19,
2024 (89 FR 28767), proposing the FY
2025 base charge and rates under Rate
Schedule BCP–F11. The Proposed FRN
also initiated a 90-day public
consultation and comment period and
and late fees help offset these projected
costs. Hoover power contractors are
billed a percentage of the base charge in
proportion to their power allocation.
Unit rates are calculated for comparative
purposes but are not used to determine
the charges for electric service.
Rate Schedule BCP–F11 and the BCP
Electric Service Contract require WAPA
to calculate the annual base charge and
rates for the next fiscal year before
October 1 of each year. The FY 2024
BCP base charge and rates expire on
September 30, 2024.
COMPARISON OF BASE CHARGE AND RATES
FY 2024
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Base Charge ($) ..................................................................................
Composite Rate (mills/kWh) ................................................................
Energy Rate (mills/kWh) ......................................................................
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo) ....................................................................
The FY 2025 base charge for BCP
electric service is unchanged and will
remain at $74.3 million, the same as FY
2024.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s
(Reclamation) FY 2025 budget is
decreasing $700,000 from $87.9 million
to $87.2 million, a 0.8 percent decrease
from FY 2024. Reflected in this budget,
operation and maintenance (O&M) costs
are increasing $1.1 million primarily
due to higher projected labor costs for
salaries, benefits, and overhead. Several
large projects are being delayed,
decreasing replacements costs by $2.2
million. Post-retirement benefit costs are
increasing $109,000 based on a higher
five-year average of recent actual
expenses. Visitor services costs are
increasing by $270,000 primarily due to
higher projected labor costs for salaries,
benefits, overhead, and overtime. The
FY 2024 budget amounts cited for
Reclamation do not include
approximately $20.8 million in costs
that are funded by prior year carryover
from FY 2023.
WAPA’s FY 2025 budget is increasing
approximately $600,000 from $9.6
million to $10.1 million, a 5.9 percent
increase from FY 2024. WAPA’s O&M
costs are increasing $770,000 from FY
2024 due to higher projected labor costs
for salaries, benefits, overhead, and
overtime. The increase in O&M costs is
offset by a $208,000 decrease in
replacement costs and modest decreases
in WAPA’s post-retirement benefit costs
and interest expenses due to lower five-
74,334,285
23.10
11.55
2.15
year averages of recent actual expenses.
The FY 2024 budget amounts for WAPA
do not include approximately $282,000
in costs that are funded by prior year
carryover from FY 2023.
Non-power revenue projections for
Reclamation and WAPA are decreasing
$2.1 million due to lower estimated
revenue for the Commercial Use Fee
program and ancillary services. Prior
year carryover is projected to be $4.1
million, a $1.9 million increase from FY
2024.
The composite and energy rates are
both increasing 5.6 percent and the
capacity rate is increasing 0.9 percent
from FY 2024. These unit rate
calculations use forecasted energy and
capacity values, which have been
decreasing due to the ongoing drought
in the Lower Colorado River Basin.
Public Notice and Comment
DSW followed the Procedures for
Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and
Extensions (10 CFR part 903) and
General Regulations for the Charges for
the Sale of Power from the BCP (10 CFR
part 904). DSW took the following steps
to involve interested parties in the rate
process:
1. DSW provided a website where
information is posted about this rate
process. The website is located at
https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/
regions/dsw/rates/boulder-canyonproject-rates/.
2. On April 19, 2024, a Federal
Register notice (89 FR 28767) (Proposed
Amount
change
FY 2025
74,334,285
24.39
12.20
2.17
20:35 Aug 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
0.0
5.6
5.6
0.9
FRN) announced the proposed FY 2025
base charge and rates and initiated a 90day public consultation and comment
period.
3. On April 19, 2024, DSW notified
contractors and interested parties of the
proposed rates and provided a copy of
the published Proposed FRN by email.
4. On May 20, 2024, DSW held a
public information forum, with options
to attend virtually or in person, at the
Desert Southwest Regional Office,
Phoenix, Arizona. DSW representatives
explained the proposed base charge and
provided contractors and interested
parties an opportunity to ask questions
and provide comments for the record.
5. On June 20, 2024, DSW held a
public comment forum, with options to
attend virtually or in person, at the
Desert Southwest Regional Office,
Phoenix, Arizona, to provide an
opportunity for contractors and other
interested parties to provide comments
for the record.
6. On July 18, 2024, the public
consultation and comment period ended
with DSW receiving no comments.
Certification of Rates
WAPA’s Administrator certified the
FY 2025 base charge and rates under
Rate Schedule BCP–F11 are the lowest
possible rates consistent with sound
business principles. The base charge
and rates were developed following
administrative policies and applicable
laws.
1 Order Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule
on a Final Basis, FERC Docket No. EF22–4–000.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
0.00
1.29
0.65
0.02
Percent
change
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
30AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 169 / Friday, August 30, 2024 / Notices
Availability of Information
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
ACTION:
Information used by WAPA to
develop the base charge and rates for
electric service is available for
inspection and copying at the Desert
Southwest Regional Office, located at
615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix,
Arizona, 85009. Many of these
documents are also available on DSW’s
website at https://www.wapa.gov/aboutwapa/regions/dsw/rates/bouldercanyon-project-rates/.
Environmental Compliance
SUMMARY:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Legal Authority
DOE is setting rates for BCP electric
service in accordance with section 302
of the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
7152). This provision transferred to, and
vested in, the Secretary of Energy
certain functions of the Secretary of the
Interior, along with the power marketing
functions of Reclamation.
DOE regulations governing charges for
the sale of BCP power, 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 DOE procedures for
public participation in rate adjustments.
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 of Energy 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.’’
Accordingly, the Deputy Secretary of
Energy may approve the FY 2025 base
charge and rates for BCP electric service,
as authorized by the BCP Electric
Service Contract and DOE’s procedures
for public participation in rate
adjustments set forth at 10 CFR parts
903 and 904.2
Following DOE’s review of WAPA’s
proposal, and as authorized by
applicable provisions of the BCP
Electric Service Contract, I have
confirmed, approved, and placed the FY
2025 base charge and rates for BCP
electric service, under Rate Schedule
BCP F–11, into effect on a final basis
through September 30, 2025.
2 50 FR 37835 (Sept. 18, 1985) and 84 FR 5347
(Feb. 21, 2019).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:35 Aug 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
WAPA has determined that this
action fits within the following
categorical exclusions listed in
appendix B to subpart D of 10 CFR part
1021: B4.3 (Electric power marketing
rate changes). Categorically excluded
projects and activities do not require
preparation of either an environmental
impact statement or an environmental
assessment.3 A copy of the categorical
exclusion determination is available on
WAPA’s website at 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 23, 2024,
by David M. Turk, Deputy 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 27,
2024.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024–19562 Filed 8–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–12223–01–OA]
Local Government Advisory
Committee: Notice of Public Meeting
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
AGENCY:
3 The determination was done in compliance with
NEPA (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).
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
70631
Notice of a public meeting.
Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) hereby provides notice of a
meeting for the Local Government
Advisory Committee (LGAC) on the date
and time described below. This meeting
will be open to the public. For
information on public attendance and
participation, please see the registration
information under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
The LGAC will meet in-person
and virtually from approximately 9
a.m.–3 p.m. central time on Thursday,
September 26, 2024. The LGAC will also
meet from approximately 8–11 a.m.
Friday September 27, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Sylvester, LGAC Designated
Federal Officer (DFO) at
Sylvester.Frank.J@epa.gov or 202–603–
8133.
Information on Accessibility: For
information on access or services for
individuals requiring accessibility
accommodations, please contact Frank
Sylvester, LGAC Designated Federal
Officer, at Sylvester.Frank.J@epa.gov or
202–603–8133. To request
accommodation, please do so ten (10)
business days prior to meeting dates, to
give the EPA as much time as possible
to process your request.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Content
The LGAC will discuss several
priority issues at EPA, including climate
communication, environmental justice,
the EPA’s efforts to address cumulative
impacts, and water system restructuring.
Agenda and meeting materials will be
posted online (link below) one week
prior to the meeting. For more
information on the LGAC, including
member biographies, recent meeting
summaries and recommendations, visit:
https://www.epa.gov/ocir/localgovernment-advisory-committee-lgac.
Registration
The meeting will be held virtually as
well as in person. Members of the
public who wish to participate should
register by contacting the Designated
Federal Officer (DFO) at
Sylvester.Frank.J@epa.gov or LGAC@
epa.gov by September 12, 2024. Online
participation will be via Zoom. Inperson participation will be at the
Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska:
1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Once available, the agenda and other
supportive meeting materials will be
available online at https://www.epa.gov/
E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 169 (Friday, August 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70629-70631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19562]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Boulder Canyon Project
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice concerning fiscal year 2025 base charge and rates for
electric service.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Deputy Secretary confirms, approves, and places into
effect on a final basis the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)
Desert Southwest Region's (DSW) fiscal year (FY) 2025 base charge and
rates for Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service under Rate
Schedule BCP-F11. The FY 2025 base charge is unchanged from FY 2024 and
will remain at $74.3 million.
DATES: The FY 2025 base charge and rates are effective October 1, 2024,
and will remain in effect through September 30, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack D. Murray, Regional Manager,
Desert Southwest Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box
6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, or Tina Ramsey, Rates Manager, Desert
Southwest Region, Western Area Power
[[Page 70630]]
Administration, (602) 605-2565, or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 31, 2023, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved and confirmed Rate Schedule BCP-
F11, under Rate Order No. WAPA-204, on a final basis through September
30, 2027.\1\ WAPA published a Federal Register notice (Proposed FRN) on
April 19, 2024 (89 FR 28767), proposing the FY 2025 base charge and
rates under Rate Schedule BCP-F11. The Proposed FRN also initiated a
90-day public consultation and comment period and set forth the date
and location of the public information and public comment forums.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Order Confirming and Approving Rate Schedule on a Final
Basis, FERC Docket No. EF22-4-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rate-setting methodology for BCP electric service requires
calculation of an annual base charge rather than a unit rate for Hoover
Dam hydropower. The base charge recovers an annual revenue requirement
that includes projected costs of investment repayment, interest,
operations, maintenance, replacements, payments to states, and Hoover
Dam visitor services. Non-power revenue projections such as water
sales, Hoover Dam visitor revenue, ancillary services, and late fees
help offset these projected costs. Hoover power contractors are billed
a percentage of the base charge in proportion to their power
allocation. Unit rates are calculated for comparative purposes but are
not used to determine the charges for electric service.
Rate Schedule BCP-F11 and the BCP Electric Service Contract require
WAPA to calculate the annual base charge and rates for the next fiscal
year before October 1 of each year. The FY 2024 BCP base charge and
rates expire on September 30, 2024.
Comparison of Base Charge and Rates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2024 FY 2025 Amount change Percent change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Charge ($)........................... 74,334,285 74,334,285 0.00 0.0
Composite Rate (mills/kWh)................ 23.10 24.39 1.29 5.6
Energy Rate (mills/kWh)................... 11.55 12.20 0.65 5.6
Capacity Rate ($/kW-Mo)................... 2.15 2.17 0.02 0.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FY 2025 base charge for BCP electric service is unchanged and
will remain at $74.3 million, the same as FY 2024.
The Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) FY 2025 budget is
decreasing $700,000 from $87.9 million to $87.2 million, a 0.8 percent
decrease from FY 2024. Reflected in this budget, operation and
maintenance (O&M) costs are increasing $1.1 million primarily due to
higher projected labor costs for salaries, benefits, and overhead.
Several large projects are being delayed, decreasing replacements costs
by $2.2 million. Post-retirement benefit costs are increasing $109,000
based on a higher five-year average of recent actual expenses. Visitor
services costs are increasing by $270,000 primarily due to higher
projected labor costs for salaries, benefits, overhead, and overtime.
The FY 2024 budget amounts cited for Reclamation do not include
approximately $20.8 million in costs that are funded by prior year
carryover from FY 2023.
WAPA's FY 2025 budget is increasing approximately $600,000 from
$9.6 million to $10.1 million, a 5.9 percent increase from FY 2024.
WAPA's O&M costs are increasing $770,000 from FY 2024 due to higher
projected labor costs for salaries, benefits, overhead, and overtime.
The increase in O&M costs is offset by a $208,000 decrease in
replacement costs and modest decreases in WAPA's post-retirement
benefit costs and interest expenses due to lower five-year averages of
recent actual expenses. The FY 2024 budget amounts for WAPA do not
include approximately $282,000 in costs that are funded by prior year
carryover from FY 2023.
Non-power revenue projections for Reclamation and WAPA are
decreasing $2.1 million due to lower estimated revenue for the
Commercial Use Fee program and ancillary services. Prior year carryover
is projected to be $4.1 million, a $1.9 million increase from FY 2024.
The composite and energy rates are both increasing 5.6 percent and
the capacity rate is increasing 0.9 percent from FY 2024. These unit
rate calculations use forecasted energy and capacity values, which have
been decreasing due to the ongoing drought in the Lower Colorado River
Basin.
Public Notice and Comment
DSW followed the Procedures for Public Participation in Power and
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions (10 CFR part 903) and
General Regulations for the Charges for the Sale of Power from the BCP
(10 CFR part 904). DSW took the following steps to involve interested
parties in the rate process:
1. DSW provided a website where information is posted about this
rate process. The website is located at https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/regions/dsw/rates/boulder-canyon-project-rates/.
2. On April 19, 2024, a Federal Register notice (89 FR 28767)
(Proposed FRN) announced the proposed FY 2025 base charge and rates and
initiated a 90-day public consultation and comment period.
3. On April 19, 2024, DSW notified contractors and interested
parties of the proposed rates and provided a copy of the published
Proposed FRN by email.
4. On May 20, 2024, DSW held a public information forum, with
options to attend virtually or in person, at the Desert Southwest
Regional Office, Phoenix, Arizona. DSW representatives explained the
proposed base charge and provided contractors and interested parties an
opportunity to ask questions and provide comments for the record.
5. On June 20, 2024, DSW held a public comment forum, with options
to attend virtually or in person, at the Desert Southwest Regional
Office, Phoenix, Arizona, to provide an opportunity for contractors and
other interested parties to provide comments for the record.
6. On July 18, 2024, the public consultation and comment period
ended with DSW receiving no comments.
Certification of Rates
WAPA's Administrator certified the FY 2025 base charge and rates
under Rate Schedule BCP-F11 are the lowest possible rates consistent
with sound business principles. The base charge and rates were
developed following administrative policies and applicable laws.
[[Page 70631]]
Availability of Information
Information used by WAPA to develop the base charge and rates for
electric service is available for inspection and copying at the Desert
Southwest Regional Office, located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix,
Arizona, 85009. Many of these documents are also available on DSW's
website at https://www.wapa.gov/about-wapa/regions/dsw/rates/boulder-canyon-project-rates/.
Legal Authority
DOE is setting rates for BCP electric service in accordance with
section 302 of the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7152). This
provision transferred to, and vested in, the Secretary of Energy
certain functions of the Secretary of the Interior, along with the
power marketing functions of Reclamation.
DOE regulations governing charges for the sale of BCP power, 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 DOE procedures for public participation in rate
adjustments. 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 of Energy 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.'' Accordingly, the Deputy Secretary of Energy may approve the
FY 2025 base charge and rates for BCP electric service, as authorized
by the BCP Electric Service Contract and DOE's procedures for public
participation in rate adjustments set forth at 10 CFR parts 903 and
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 have
confirmed, approved, and placed the FY 2025 base charge and rates for
BCP electric service, under Rate Schedule BCP F-11, into effect on a
final basis through September 30, 2025.
Ratemaking Procedure Requirements
Environmental Compliance
WAPA has determined that this action fits within the following
categorical exclusions listed in appendix B to subpart D of 10 CFR part
1021: B4.3 (Electric power marketing rate changes). Categorically
excluded projects and activities do not require preparation of either
an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment.\3\ A
copy of the categorical exclusion determination is available on WAPA's
website at www.wapa.gov/regions/DSW/Environment/Pages/environment.aspx.
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\3\ The determination was done in compliance with NEPA (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 23,
2024, by David M. Turk, Deputy 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 27, 2024.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024-19562 Filed 8-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
