E8-6416. Benton County Wind Farm LLC; Notice of Issuance of Order

March 24, 2008.

Benton County Wind Farm LLC (Benton County) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying market-based rate tariff. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services at market-based rates. Benton County also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Benton County requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR Part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Benton County.

On March 18, 2008, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—West, granted the request for blanket approval under Part 34 (Director's Order). The Director's Order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the Federal Register establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard concerning the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Benton County, should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2007). The Commission encourages the electronic submission of protests using the FERC Online link at http://www.ferc.gov.

Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests is April 17, 2008.

Absent a request to be heard in opposition to such blanket approvals by the deadline above, Benton County is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Benton County, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes.

The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Benton County's issuance of securities or assumptions of liability.

Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at: http://www.ferc.gov,, using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.