Western Area Power Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), Desert Southwest Region, a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy (DOE) announces its Post-2017 remarketing effort for the Boulder Canyon Project (BCP). Current BCP long-term contracts will expire on September 30, 2017. In 1995, Western adopted the Power Marketing Initiative (PMI) in Subpart C of the Energy Planning and Management Program (Program) (10 CFR part 905). The Record of Decision for the Program states that application of the PMI will be done on a project- specific basis. If, by means of a public process, Western applies the PMI to the BCP, the current long-term contractors of the project would receive an extension of a major portion of the resources available to them at the time their contracts expire. Western now proposes to apply the PMI to the long-term power contracts of the BCP.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has decided to finance a portion of the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line (MATL Project) in exchange for ownership of 50 megawatts (MW) of southbound capacity on the line and ownership of approximately 18 miles of transmission line. This decision is contingent on the MATL Project meeting all necessary conditions under Western's Transmission Infrastructure Program (TIP). MATL proposed to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new 214-mile, single-circuit 230-kV electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border near Cut Bank, Montana, and DOE prepared the Environmental Impact Statement for the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) 230-kV Transmission Line (DOE/EIS-0399), herein referred to as the MATL Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as co- lead with the State of Montana, to analyze the environmental impacts that would be associated with construction and operation of the line. The environmental mitigation measures and electric reliability conditions required by DOE's permit for the line are identified in the Record of Decision (ROD); Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. issued by DOE on November 17, 2008, (73 FR 67860), herein referred to as the first ROD.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the DOE, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed interconnection of the Hualapai Valley Solar Project (Project) in Mohave County, near Kingman, Arizona. Hualapai Valley Solar, LLC (HVS) has applied to Western to interconnect the proposed Project to Western's power transmission system. Western is issuing this notice to inform the public and interested parties about Western's intent to prepare an EIS, conduct a public scoping process, and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, alternatives, and

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) received an application to interconnect the Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project (Project) into Western's transmission system. The Project entails the construction of a new 600-megawatt (MW) coal-fired electric power generating station adjacent to the existing Big Stone plant in Grant County, South Dakota. The Project also includes approximately 140 miles of new or upgraded transmission lines. On June 26, 2009, Western published a notice of the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Project (74 FR 30559). Western considered the environmental impacts of the Project and has decided to allow the request to interconnect at Western's Morris and Granite Falls substations located in Minnesota.

Western Area Power Administration (Western), Upper Great Plains Region, a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), hereby announces the Post-2010 Resource Pool Proposed Allocation of Power. The Energy Planning and Management Program (Program) provides for project-specific resource pools and allocating power from these pools to new preference customers and other appropriate purposes as determined by Western. Western, in accordance with the Program, is proposing an allocation of Federal power from the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P-SMBPED) beginning January 1, 2011. Western intends to use power previously returned to Western for this proposed allocation. Western will prepare and publish the Final Allocation of Power in the Federal Register after all public comments on the proposed allocation have been considered.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the DOE, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the interconnection of the Grapevine Canyon Wind Project (Project) in Coconino County, near Flagstaff, Arizona. Foresight Flying M, LLC (Foresight) has applied to Western to interconnect the proposed Project to Western's power transmission system on its Glen Canyon-Pinnacle Peak Transmission Line. Western is issuing this notice to inform the public and interested parties about Western's intent to prepare an EIS, conduct a public scoping process, and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, alternatives, and other issues to be

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing revised rates for Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P-SMBPED) firm electric and firm peaking power service. Current rates, under Rate Schedules P-SED-F10 and P-SED-FP10, extend through December 31, 2013, but are not sufficient to meet the P-SMBPED revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay investments within the allowable periods. Western will prepare and make available a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rates. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedules P-SED-F11 and P-SED- FP11, would go into effect on January 1, 2010, and would remain in effect through December 31, 2014, or until superseded. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate adjustment.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) announces the availability of the Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project (Project) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Final EIS analyzes the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the proposed Project. Western is considering whether to grant a request to interconnect the proposed Project with Western's transmission system at Morris and Granite Falls substations in Minnesota, an action which requires Western to complete modifications to these substations to support the interconnection.\1\ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) participated as a cooperating agency in the EIS process. USACE is considering whether to issue a permit for Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for construction of the proposed Project within or across navigable waters and waters of the United States.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) proposes to add a penalty rate for Unreserved Use of Transmission Service for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P-SMBPED) in a new rate schedule, Rate Schedule UGP-TSP1. The new rate schedule for Unreserved Use of Transmission System Penalties, Rate Schedule UGP- TSP1, is proposed to go into effect on the later of January 1, 2010, or when Western's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) is revised to provide for Unreserved Use Penalties. Prior to implementing the penalty rate, Western will post notice on its Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS) Web site. If Rate Schedule UGP-TSP1 is implemented, it will remain in effect through December 31, 2014, or until superseded. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rate to all interested parties. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed penalty rate.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing to update its rates for transmission and ancillary services for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P-SMBPED). Current formula rates, under Rate Schedules UGP-NT1, UGP-FPT1, UGP- NFPT1, UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP-AS4, UGP-AS5, and UGP-AS6 will expire on September 30, 2010. Western is also proposing to add a new rate schedule, Rate Schedule UGP-AS7, for Generator Imbalance Service. Western is proposing these rates to meet evolving and expanding transmission system and ancillary services requirements. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rates to all interested parties. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedules UGP-NT1, UGP-FPT1, UGP-NFPT1, UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP- AS4, UGP-AS5, and UGP-AS6, are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2010, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2014, or until superseded. The new rate schedule for Generator Imbalance Service, under Rate Schedule UGP-AS7, is scheduled to go into effect on the latter of January 1, 2010, or when Western's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) is revised to provide for Generator Imbalance Service. If implemented, Rate Schedule UGP-AS7 will also remain in effect through December 31, 2014, or until superseded, to coincide with the other ancillary service rates in this rate order. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed formula rates.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is revising its Open Access Transmission Service Tariff (Tariff). Western intends to update provisions of its Tariff consistent with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) amended pro forma open access transmission tariff. Changes are being proposed to Western's Tariff to the extent it is able to incorporate the pro forma provisions consistent with applicable statutory requirements. Publication of this Federal Register announces a public meeting and opportunity for informal comments on Western's revised Tariff prior to filing with the FERC.

On February 23, 2009, Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the DOE, announced the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) Transmission Project (74 FR 8086). In that notice, Western described the schedule for scoping meetings and advised the public that comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR were due by April 30, 2009. By this notice, Western extends the due date for comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR to May 31, 2009.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), intend to jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed PrairieWinds Project (Project) in South Dakota. Western is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform the public and interested parties about the proposed Project, conduct a public scoping process, and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action,

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power marketing administration within the U.S. Department of Energy, announces the availability of a Request for Interest (RFI). Western is seeking interest from any entity or entities interested in identifying a proposed transmission project, primarily in Western's service area, and/or desiring to participate with Western and possibly others by constructing, financing, owning, operating or maintaining transmission facilities or acquiring transmission rights or entering into long-term transmission service agreements on that project.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the DOE intends to prepare a joint environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) Transmission Project (Project) in California. Western is issuing this Notice to inform the public and interested parties about the proposed Project, conduct a public scoping process, and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, alternatives, and other issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The EIS/EIR will address the construction, maintenance, and operation of the proposed Project, which would include building and upgrading about 600 miles of 230-kilovolt (kV) and 500-kV transmission lines and associated equipment and facilities in northern California. Portions of the proposed Project may affect floodplains and wetlands in the area. Western and TANC will hold public scoping meetings in 12 locations in the Project area during the public scoping period. At the scoping meetings, Western and TANC will share additional information on the proposed Project and receive comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS/EIR.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the interconnection of the proposed Deer Creek Station Energy Facility (Project) in South Dakota, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR 1021), and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508). Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric) has requested to interconnect the proposed Project to Western's power transmission system. The EIS will address Western's Federal action of whether to allow interconnection at its White Substation, and to make any necessary modifications to Western facilities to accommodate the interconnection. The EIS will also review the potential environmental impacts of constructing, operating, and maintaining Basin Electric's proposed Project, which includes a 300 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle natural gas generation facility and associated electric, natural gas, and water lines that would be constructed east of White in Brookings and Deuel counties, South Dakota. Portions of Basin Electric's proposed Project may affect floodplains and wetlands, so this Notice of Intent also serves as a notice of proposed floodplain or wetland action, in accordance with 10 CFR 1022.12 (a). Western will hold a public scoping meeting near the Project area to share information and receive comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS.

The Acting Deputy Secretary of Energy has confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA-142 and Rate Schedule L-F8, placing firm electric service rates from the Loveland Area Projects (LAP) 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 repayment of power investment and irrigation aid within the allowable periods.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), intends to prepare a joint environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the construction and operation of the proposed Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) Transmission Project (Project) in California. Western is issuing this Advance Notice to inform the public and interested parties early about the proposed Project. At a later date, Western plans to issue a formal Notice of Intent (NOI) and conduct a public scoping process, during which Western will invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, alternatives, and other issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The EIS/EIR will address the construction, maintenance, and operation of the proposed Project, which would include building and upgrading over 500 miles of 230-kilovolt (kV) and 500-kV transmission lines and associated equipment and facilities in northern California. Portions of the proposed Project may affect floodplains and wetlands in the area. Western will hold public scoping meetings in several locations near the Project area during the public scoping period, anticipated to begin in early 2009. At the scoping meetings, Western will share information and receive comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS/EIR.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is publishing this notice to inform interested parties of the Draft Feasibility Study Report for the Wind Hydropower Integration Feasibility Study (WHFS). The WHFS involved a study on the integration of wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River to supply power to Western. This study applies only to Western's Upper Great Plains Region (UGPR).

The United States Department of Energy (DOE or Department), acting through the Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power marketing administration within the Department, is seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) from entities that are interested in providing contributed funds for Western's participation in the upgrade of Western's existing transmission facilities or the construction of new transmission line projects in the states in which Western operates. The purpose of the request for SOIs is to identify potential projects which would facilitate the transmission of wind generation or other renewable generation sources to load centers under the authority granted the Secretary of Energy in section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05) (Pub. L. 109-58; 119 Stat. 952).

Western Area Power Administration (Western), Upper Great Plains Region, a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), is seeking comments on proposed procedures and is calling for applications from preference entities interested in an allocation of Federal power. The Energy Planning and Management Program (Program) provides for establishing project-specific resource pools and allocating power from these pools to new preference customers and other appropriate purposes as determined by Western. Western, in accordance with the Program, proposes procedures for comment and consideration, and also calls for applications from entities interested in a Federal power resource pool allocation. This resource pool is comprised of up to 1 percent (approximately 20 megawatts) of the long-term marketable resource of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (P- SMBPED) that may become available January 1, 2011 (Post-2010 Resource Pool). Preference entities that wish to apply for an allocation of power from Western's Upper Great Plains Region must submit formal applications as outlined below.

The Acting Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA-137 and Rate Schedule SLIP-F9, placing firm power rates for the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) of the Western Area Power Administration (Western) into effect on an interim basis. The Acting Deputy Secretary also confirmed Rate Schedules SP- PTP7, SP-NW3, SP-NFT6, SP-SD3, SP-RS3, SP-EI3, SP-FR3, and SP-SSR3, placing firm and non-firm transmission rates and ancillary services rates on the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) transmission system 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 repayment of power investment and irrigation aid, within the allowable periods.

The U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration (Western) is canceling the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal by Western to participate with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Incorporated (Tri-State), in the construction of the Eastern Plains Transmission Project (EPTP). Western would have obtained 275 megawatts of capacity rights on the proposed transmission lines by participating in the EPTP. The EIS would have addressed the construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 1,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines and ancillary facilities, which included substations, fiber optic installation, access roads, and construction staging areas. Western issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the EPTP in the Federal Register on August 2, 2006 (71 FR 43733), and conducted 10 public scoping meetings throughout the project area from August 28 through September 14, 2006. Additional public meetings were held in February 2007 (72 FR 2507), and in June 2007 (72 FR 30792). Western is canceling the preparation of the EIS due to anticipated changes in the EPTP scope. If Western decides to participate in the re- defined EPTP, a National Environmental Policy Act review will be initiated at that time. Tri-State may continue with development of the EPTP.

This action is to temporarily extend the existing formula rates for power, transmission, and ancillary services for the Central Valley Project (CVP), transmission service on the California-Oregon Transmission Project (COTP), transmission service on the Pacific Alternating Current Intertie (PACI), and third-party transmission service through September 30, 2011. This action also extends the Western Area Power Administration's (Western) recovery methodology of the Path 15 revenue requirement through September 30, 2011. Without this extension, formula rates for power, transmission, and ancillary services for the CVP, transmission service on the COTP, transmission service on the PACI, and third-party transmission service will expire September 30, 2009.

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing revised rates for Loveland Area Projects (LAP) firm electric service. LAP consists of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (Fry-Ark) and the Pick- Sloan Missouri Basin Program (Pick-Sloan)Western Division, which were integrated for marketing and rate-making purposes in 1989. Current rates, under Rate Schedule L-F7, expire on December 31, 2012, but are not sufficient to meet LAP revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expenses, and repay the required investment within the allowable period. Western will prepare and make available a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rates. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedule L-F8, are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2009, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, or until superseded. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate adjustment.