01-24858. Application To Export Electric Energy; Engage Energy America, LLC

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of Application.

SUMMARY:

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

DATES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before November 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Import/Export (FE-27), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX [phone]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steven Mintz (Program Office) 202-586-9506 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated and require authorization under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)).

On September 13, 2001, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) received an application from Engage America to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada. Engage America, a Delaware limited liability company, is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Westcoast Energy Inc., a Canadian corporation. Engage America does not own or operate any electric power generation, transmission or distribution facilities. The power to be exported by Engage America will be purchased from electric utilities, power marketers, and federal power marketing agencies in the United States. Engage America has requested that export authority be granted for a term of five years.

Engage America proposes to arrange for the delivery of electric energy to Canada over the existing international transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizen Utilities, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Company, Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission Company. The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Engage America, as more fully described in the application, has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.

Procedural Matters

Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at the address provided above in accordance with § 385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the date listed above.

Comments on the Engage America application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-251. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Douglas F. John, John & Hengerer, 1200 17th Street, NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 AND Terrence O'Reilly, Vice President & Senior Counsel, Engage Energy America LLC, 39500 High Pointe Boulevard, Suite 260, Novi, MI 48375.

A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by the DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system.

Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by accessing the Fossil Energy Home Page at http://www.fe.de.gov. Upon reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select “Electricity Regulation,” and then “Pending Procedures” from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2001.

Anthony J. Como,

Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.