96-7586. Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan Draft Amendments

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13892-13893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7586]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER AND CONSERVATION PLANNING COUNCIL


Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan Draft Amendments

AGENCY: Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning 
Council (Northwest Power Planning Council, Council).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Fourth Northwest Conservation 
and Electric Power Plan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Following the mandate set out in the Pacific Northwest 
Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 839 et 
seq.) (the Act), in April 1983 the Council adopted a regional power 
plan, the Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan (the plan). 
The plan was completely amended in 1986. Although the Act requires the 
Council to review the plan at least every five years, the council has 
taken up certain parts of the plan more often, to respond to ongoing 
changes in the regional energy picture and to incorporate the most 
recent technology and analysis. The Council amended the plan in 1989 by 
publishing the 1989 Supplement to the 1986 Power Plan, updating certain 
technical data. In April 1991, the Council adopted another complete 
amendment of the plan. In March 1966, the Council released for public 
comment the Draft Fourth Power Plan. Hearings in each of the four 
Northwest states will be scheduled during the comment period, as 
required by the Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The electricity industry nationwide is 
undergoing a radical restructuring. To ensure that the four Northwest 
states have a say in how this restructuring affects the region, the 
governors of these states have convened a ``Comprehensive Review of the 
Northwest Energy System.'' A steering committee has been appointed to 
study the power system and to make recommendations about its future.
    In light of this review, the Council's draft Power Plan has taken a 
different approach from that of earlier plans. The 1991 Power Plan, for 
example, had as its theme: ``a time for action.'' In contrast, this 
draft plan focuses on ``Northwest Power in Transition: Issues and 
Opportunities.'' The draft has few policy determinations or recommended 
actions. Instead, it is designed to serve as a guidebook for the 
regional review. It has background on the industry and analysis of the 
major issues that must be addressed as the Northwest moves into a new 
energy future. Its goals reflects that of the governors in convening 
the regional review: to develop, through a public process, 
recommendations for changes in the institutional structure of the 
region's electric utility industry. The resulting system, the governors 
said, should ``protect the region's natural resources and distribute 
equitably the costs and benefits of a more competitive marketplace'' 
while still ensuring the region of ``an adequate, efficient, economical 
and reliable power system,'' in the words of the Northwest Power Act.
    This draft plan meets the requirements of the Northwest Power Act, 
which specifies what components the plan is to have. The Act requires 
the plan to include a number of elements, including, but not limited 
to, an energy conservation program, a recommendation for research and 
development; a methodology for determining quantifiable environmental 
costs and benefits; a twenty year demand forecast; a forecast of power 
resources that the Bonneville Power Administration will need to meet 
its obligations, an analysis of reserve and reserve reliability 
requirements; and a surcharge methodology. The plan also includes the 
Council's Fish and Wildlife Program, developed pursuant to other 
procedural requirements under the Act.
    Because of exceptional circumstances in the industry and in light 
of the ongoing comprehensive review of the region's energy system, the 
Council has adopted an extended public comment period for this draft 
plan. Close of comment for written comments if 5:00 P.M., Friday, March 
14, 1997. The Council may hold consultations through March 28, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
If you would like a copy of the Draft Fourth Power Plan, please contact 
the Council's Central Office and ask for Document Number 96-5. The 
Council's address is 851 S.W. 6th Avenue, Suite 1100, Portland, Oregon 
97204. The Council's telephone numbers are: [phone] and (toll 
free) [phone]. The Council's FAX number is [phone].
    If you are submitting comments on the draft plan, please note 
prominently that you are commenting on Council Document Number 96-5. 
Comments may be submitted by mail, by facsimile

[[Page 13893]]
transmission (FAX), or by electronic mail at [e-mail].
Stephen L. Crow,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 96-7586 Filed 3-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 0000-00-M