Western Area Power Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) is proposing to update the rate-setting formulas for electric service for the Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) under proposed Rate Schedule BCP-F10, and adjust the annual calculation for the fiscal year (FY) 2018 base charge and rates. The expiration of the current base charge and rates on September 30, 2017, and beginning of the new 50-year marketing period on October 1, 2018, require these actions. The current base charge under Rate Schedule BCP-F9 is not sufficient to cover all annual costs including operation and maintenance, replacements, and interest expense; and repay investment obligations within the allowable period. After collaborating with the BCP contractors, WAPA proposes an FY 2018 base charge that includes a one-time $15 million working capital fund primarily for the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the new marketing period. The FY 2019 base charge is expected to decrease by $15 million after the collection of working capital in FY 2018. The proposed base charge will provide sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs and repay investment obligations within the allowable period. WAPA will post proposed Rate Schedule BCP-F10 and a detailed rate package that identifies the reasons for the base charge and rates adjustment on its Web site during the consultation and comment period. The proposed base charge and rates are scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2017, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2018. Publication of this Federal Register notice initiates the formal public process to implement the proposed rate-setting formulas and the FY 2018 base charge and rates.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that it is cancelling the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on an interconnection request by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NextEra).

On December 18, 2015, Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), an agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), announced the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the proposed 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. This proposed Project is known as the Colusa- Sutter (CoSu) 500-kV Transmission Line Project. In that previous notice, WAPA described the schedule for scoping meetings and advised the public that comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR were due by February 16, 2016. On February 5, 2016, an additional notice was published extending the due date for comments on the scope of the EIS/ EIR to April 18, 2016. By this notice, WAPA announces additional public scoping meetings and reopens the period for submitting comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy, is seeking comments about this Proposed Olmsted Power Marketing Plan. WAPA has responsibility for the marketing of energy from the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), among other projects, and operates the transmission infrastructure associated with these Federal projects.

In this notice, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) establishes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 base charge and rates for Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service, as approved by the Deputy Secretary of Energy (Deputy Secretary). The base charge will provide sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs, including interest expense, and to repay investments within the allowable period.

The Deputy Secretary of Energy has confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA-175 and Rate Schedules PD-NTS4 and INT-NTS4, placing formula rates for Network Integration Transmission Service (Network) on the Parker-Davis Project (P-DP) and Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie Project (Intertie) of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) into effect on an interim basis. The Deputy Secretary also confirmed and approved Rate Schedules DSW-TL1, DSW-UU1, DSW-SD4, DSW- RS4, DSW-FR4, DSW-EI4, DSW-SPR4, DSW-SUR4, and DSW-GI2, placing formula rates for transmission losses, unreserved use penalties, and ancillary services from WAPA's Desert Southwest Region (DSW) and Western Area Lower Colorado Balancing Authority (WALC) into effect on an interim basis. The provisional formula rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay applicable investments within the allowable periods.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power marketing administration within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (Authority), a California joint powers agency, have prepared a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Luis Transmission Project (SLTP or Proposed Project). Western is the Federal lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Authority is the state lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is a NEPA Cooperating Agency. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is a CEQA Responsible Agency. Western proposes to construct, own, operate, and maintain approximately 95 miles of new transmission lines within easements ranging from 125 to 250 feet wide through Alameda, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties along the foothills of the western San Joaquin Valley. Western also would upgrade or expand its existing substations, make the necessary arrangements to upgrade or expand existing Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) substations, or construct new substations to accommodate the interconnections of these new transmission lines. The Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2016 (81 FR 16175). After considering the environmental impacts, Western has decided to construct, operate, and maintain the transmission line and other project components within the corridors identified as the Agency Preferred Alternative in the Final EIS/EIR.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), acting as joint lead agencies, issued the Proposed Southline Transmission Line Project (Project) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0474) on November 6, 2015. The Agency Preferred Alternative developed by Western and the BLM through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and described in the Final EIS is summarized in this Record of Decision (ROD). This alternative is also the Environmentally Preferred Alternative for most of the Project. One segment in the New Build Section and some local alternatives in the Upgrade Section were selected that reduce substantial existing resource conflicts while creating only minor new impacts. All practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been adopted. Since the BLM and Western were joint lead agencies in the preparation of the EIS, each agency will issue its own ROD(s) addressing the overall Project and the specific matters within its jurisdiction and authority. This ROD constitutes Western's decision with respect to the alternatives considered in the Final EIS. Western has selected the Agency Preferred Alternative identified in the Final EIS as the route for the Project. This decision on the route will enable design and engineering activities to proceed. This ROD also commits Western and Southline Transmission, LLC (Southline) to implement the proponent-committed environmental measures (PCEMs) identified in table 2-8, Project PCEMs by Resource, of the Final EIS. Selection of the Agency Preferred Alternative will also allow detailed Project costs to be developed, which are necessary for future participation and financing decisions. This ROD does not make decisions about Western's participation in the Project or financing. Those decisions are contingent on the successful development of participation agreements and financial underwriting, and would be recorded in a second ROD.

Western Area Power Administration (Western), Colorado River Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy, is extending the public comment period on its Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the SLCA/IP. This Federal Register notice (FRN) extends the public comment period for the Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the SLCA/IP contained in Western's December 16, 2015, FRN.

Western Area Power Administration (Western) transferred functional control of eligible Western-Upper Great Plains Region (Western-UGP) transmission facilities to Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) on October 1, 2015. Transmission service is being provided over Western-UGP's eligible facilities under SPP's Open Access Transmission Tariff. Western-UGP costs are included in Western-UGP Formula rates for Transmission and Ancillary Services under Rate Schedules WAUGP-ATRR, WAUGP-AS1, WAUW-AS3, WAUW-AS4, WAUW-AS5, WAUW-AS6 and WAUW-AS7, which became effective on October 1, 2015.

On December 18, 2015, Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), announced the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the proposed 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to be located within Colusa and Sutter Counties, California. This proposed Project is known as the Colusa-Sutter (CoSu) 500-kV Transmission Line Project. In that previous notice, Western described the schedule for scoping meetings and advised the public that comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR were due by February 16, 2016. By this notice, Western extends the due date for comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR to April 18, 2016.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) Parker-Davis (P-DP) and Pacific Northwest-Pacific Southwest Intertie (Intertie) Projects' Network Integration Transmission Service (NITS) formula rates under Rate Schedules PD-NTS3, INT-NTS3 and Western Area Lower Colorado Balancing Authority's (WALC) Ancillary Services formula rates under Rate Schedules DSW-SD3, DSW-RS3, DSW-FR3, DSW-EI3, DSW-GI1, DSW-SPR3, and DSW-SUR3 expire on September 30, 2016. Western is proposing modifications to the existing formula rate schedules and adding two new rate schedules, referred to as Transmission Losses Services (DSW-TL1) and Penalty Rate for Unreserved Use of Transmission Service (DSW-UU1). Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed formula rates. If adopted, the proposed formula rates, under Rate Schedules PD-NTS4, INT-NTS4, DSW-TL1, DSW-UU1, DSW-SD4, DSW- RS4, DSW-FR4, DSW-EI4, DSW-GI2, DSW-SPR4, and DSW-SUR4 will become effective October 1, 2016, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2021, or until superseded. Publication of this Federal Register notice (FRN) begins the formal process for the proposed formula rates.

The Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA-172 and Rate Schedules CAP-FT3, CAP-NFT3, and CAP-NITS3, placing transmission service formula rates for the Central Arizona Project (CAP) of the Western Area Power Administration (Western) into effect on an interim basis. The provisional rates will be in effect until the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) confirms, approves, and places them into effect on a final basis, or until they are replaced by other rates. The provisional rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay required investment within the allowable periods.

Western Area Power Administration (Western), Colorado River Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy, is seeking comments on its Proposed 2025 Marketing Plan for the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP). The current SLCA/IP marketing plan will expire on September 30, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria provides the basis for marketing the long-term, firm hydroelectric resources of the SLCA/IP to be effective October 1, 2024. The Proposed General Power Marketing Criteria for the SLCA/IP are published herein. This Federal Register notice (FRN) formally initiates Western's public process and request for public comments. Western will prepare and publish the final 2025 General Power Marketing Criteria after public comments on the criteria are considered. The Energy Planning and Management Program as set forth in 10 CFR part 905 is not specifically applicable to the SLCA/IP; however, Western used the Power Marketing Initiative outlined in Subpart C for general guidance in developing a framework for this proposal. This FRN is not a call for applications. A call for applications from those interested in an allocation of SLCA/IP power will occur in a future notice.

This document contains final regulations providing guidance on the determination of minimum required contributions for single-employer defined benefit pension plans. In addition, this document contains final regulations regarding the excise tax for failure to satisfy the minimum funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans. These regulations affect sponsors, administrators, participants, and beneficiaries of defined benefit pension plans.

An open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Taxpayer Communications Project Committee will be conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas, and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.

An open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Tax Forms and Publications Project Committee will be conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.

An open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Toll-Free Phone Line Project Committee will be conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas, and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.

An open meeting of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Joint Committee will be conducted. The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas, and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.

The purpose of this notice is to publish the names of those IRS employees who will serve as members on IRS's Fiscal Year 2015 Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Boards.

In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury, is publishing its inventory of Privacy Act systems of records.

Temporary regulations relating to the administration of a multiemployer plan participant vote on an approved suspension of benefits under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (MPRA) are being issued in the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 1120-POL, U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Political Organizations.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Notice 2009-41, Credit for Residential Energy Efficient Property.

This final regulation relates to the disclosure of returns and return information to a designee of the taxpayer. The regulations provide guidance to IRS employees responsible for disclosing returns and return information and to taxpayers who wish to designate a person or persons to whom returns and return information may be disclosed. Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning the disclosure of returns and return information to a designee of a taxpayer.