03-31762. Application To Export Electric Energy; Coral Canada U.S. Inc.

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

Coral Canada U.S. Inc. (Coral) has applied to renew its 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 January 7, 2004.

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 January 9, 2002, Coral was issued an authorization to export electric energy to Canada; that authorization expires on January 9, 2004. On November 24, 2003, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) received an application from Coral to renew its authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. Coral, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Houston, Texas, is indirectly owned by Shell Oil Company and Intergen, N.A. Coral does not own or control any electric power generation or transmission facilities and does not have a franchised service area.

Coral 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 Coral, as more fully described in the application, has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.

Because Coral is exporting electricity under the existing authorization, they have requested expedited processing of this application in order to avoid any lapse in export authority. Accordingly, DOE has shortened the comment period and requests comments, protests, and requests to intervene be filed by January 7, 2004.

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 Coral application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-253-A. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Robert Reilley, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Coral Canada U.S. Inc., 909 Fannin, Plaza One, Houston, TX 77010.

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 “Regulatory Programs,” then “Electricity Regulation,” and then “Pending Proceedings” from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 18, 2003.

Anthony J. Como,

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