Department of Energy June 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), is modifying Part C of its Conformed General Consolidated Power Marketing Criteria or Regulations for Boulder City Area Projects (1984 Conformed Criteria) published in the Federal Register on December 28, 1984, as required by the Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011 (HPAA) described herein. This modification will result in the conformance of the 1984 Conformed Criteria to the HPAA. The 2012 Conformed General Consolidated Power Marketing Criteria or Regulations for Boulder City Area Projects (2012 Conformed Criteria) will provide the basis for marketing the long-term hydroelectric resources of the Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) beyond September 30, 2017, when Western's current electric service contracts expire. Additional power marketing criteria for new allocations will be established by Western through a subsequent public process. This Federal Register notice (FRN) is not a call for applications. A call for applications from those interested in an allocation of BCP power will be provided for in a future notice.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is requesting data and information about the impact of its recently amended energy conservation standards for residential electric water heaters on utility programs that use high-storage-volume (above 55 gallons) electric storage water heaters to reduce peak electricity demand. DOE amended its standards for residential water heaters on April 16, 2010, and compliance with the amended standards is required beginning on April 16, 2015. Of particular relevance, the amended standards for residential water heaters raised the minimum requirements for electric storage water heaters with storage volumes above 55 gallons to levels that are currently achieved through the use of heat pump water heater technology. Utilities have expressed concerns that the amended levels will negatively impact programs designed to reduce peak energy demand by heating water only during off-peak times and storing the water for use during peak demand periods. This request for information solicits feedback on the effects of the amended energy conservation standards for electric storage water heaters on such utility programs.

This notice is being issued under the authority of section 131a.of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The Department is providing notice of a proposed subsequent arrangement under the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Japan Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and the Agreement for Cooperation Between the United States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

This notice replaces the notice published April 11, 2012 at 77 FR 21756 regarding the extension of the collection of information for the Petroleum Supply Reporting System. The EIA, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the Petroleum Supply Reporting System. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power marketing administration within the Department of Energy (DOE), is proposing an adjustment to the Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project (Intertie) transmission service rates. The current rates, under Rate Schedules INT-FT4 and INT-NFT3, expire September 30, 2012. The existing rates are being adjusted to provide sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs, including interest expense, and to repay capital investment obligations within the required period. Western will prepare and provide a brochure detailing information on the proposed rates. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedules INT-FT5 and INT-NFT4, are scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2012, and remain in effect through September 30, 2017. Publication of this Federal Register notice initiates the formal process for the proposed rate adjustment.