04-4115. Application To Export Electric Energy; Powerex Corp.

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

Powerex Corp. (Powerex), formerly the British Columbia Power Exchange Corporation, has applied for renewal of its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

DATES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before March 26, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Imports/Exports (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) 202-586-6667.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On May 30, 1997, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) issued an Order (FE Order No. EA-145) authorizing Powerex to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico as a power marketer using the international electric transmission facilities of San Diego Gas and Electric Company. That two-year authorization expired on May 30, 1999. On April 15, 1999, Powerex filed an application with FE for renewal of this export authority and requested that the Order be issued for an additional two-year term. On June 18, 1999, DOE issued FE Order No. EA-145-A granting that request. That two-year authorization expired on June 18, 2001. On June 19, 2001, Powerex filed an application with FE for renewal of this export authority and requested that the Order be issued for an additional two-year term. On August 13, 2001, DOE issued FE Order No. EA-145-B granting that request. That two-year authorization expired on August 13, 2003. On July 31, 2003, Powerex filed an application with FE for renewal of this export authority and requested that the Order be issued for an additional five-year term.

DOE notes that the circumstances described in this application are virtually identical to those for which export authority had previously been granted in FE Order EA-145. Consequently, DOE believes that it has adequately satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 through the documentation of a categorical exclusion in the FE Docket EA-145 proceeding.

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 the DOE on or before the date listed above.

Comments on the Powerex request to export to Mexico should be clearly marked with Docket EA-145-C. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Mr. Douglas Little, Vice President, Trade Policy & Development, Powerex Corp., 666 Burrard Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2X8, and Ms. Erika Rosin, Contracts Manager, Powerex Corp., 666 Burrard Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2X8.

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.doe.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 February 18, 2004.

Anthony J. Como,

Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Imports/Exports, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.