Department of Energy May 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

BPA is proposing modifications to its Tiered Rate Methodology (TRM), TRM-12-A-02, which specifies the methodology to be used in setting BPA's Priority Firm Power (PF) rates beginning with the FY 2012-2013 rate period and continuing through the life of the Regional Dialogue Contracts. The TRM was established on November 10, 2008, by the Administrator's Record of Decision (ROD), TRM-12-A-01, following a procedural hearing held pursuant to section 7(i) of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (Northwest Power Act), 16 U.S.C., section 839e(i). The TRM contains specified procedures that govern its modification. The modifications proposed here are made in accordance with the provisions in section 12 of the TRM, which include changes to the TRM that were identified and agreed to between BPA and preference customer representatives designated by the Public Power Council prior to February 1, 2009.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act prescribes energy conservation standards for certain commercial and industrial equipment and requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to administer an energy conservation program for this equipment. In this notice, DOE is proposing new energy conservation standards for refrigerated bottled or canned beverage vending machines. DOE is also announcing a public meeting on its proposed standards.

Pursuant to section 215 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves regional Reliability Standard BAL-004-WECC-01 (Automatic Time Error Correction), as submitted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. As a separate action, pursuant to section 215(d)(5) of the FPA, the Commission directs the Western Electricity Coordinating Council to develop several modifications to the regional Reliability Standard. The regional Reliability Standard requires balancing authorities within the Western Interconnection to maintain interconnection frequency within a predefined frequency profile and ensure that time error corrections are effectively conducted in a manner that does not adversely affect the reliability of the Interconnection.

On March 19, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) issued a Proposed Policy Statement and Action Plan that, among other things, proposed an interim rate policy to encourage the development of smart grid systems. On May 19, 2009, the Commission issued a Notice Requesting Supplemental Comments regarding rate recovery for certain smart grid investments. The Commission is extending the date for filing these supplemental comments.

NaturEner Tie Line, LLC (NaturEner) has applied for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to amend the eligibility provisions applicable to multi-unit buildings under the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons. As proposed, if a multi-unit building is under an assisted or public housing program and is identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and included on a list published by DOE, that building would meet certain income eligibility requirements, and the procedural requirements to protect against rent increases and undue enhancement of the weatherized building would be satisfied, under the Weatherization Assistance Program without the need for further evaluation or verification. If a multi-unit building includes units that participate in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, identified by HUD, and included on a list published by DOE, that building would meet the income eligibility requirements of the Weatherization Assistance Program without the need for further evaluation or verification. DOE believes that the proposed rule would reduce the procedural burdens on evaluating applications from buildings that are part of HUD assisted and public housing programs, and the Federal low-income housing tax credit programs.