[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15393-15394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8371]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 2004-073 and 11607-000]
Holyoke Water Power Company, City of Holyoke, Ashburnham
Municipal Light Plant, and Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric
Company; Notice Granting Extension of Time to File Better Adapted
Statements for the Holyoke Project
March 26, 1998.
On October 9, 1997, the Commission issued its Notice Establishing
Subsequent Licensing Procedural Schedule and a Deadline for Submission
of Final Amendments in the above-captioned proceedings. Among other
things, the Notice's schedule established a March 31, 1998 deadline for
the competing applicants to file a detailed and complete statement of
how its plans are as well, or better, adapted than the plans of each of
the other license applications to develop, conserve, and utilize in the
public interest, the water resources of the region, per Section
4.36(d)(2)(iii) of the Commission's regulations.
On March 24, 1998, the Holyoke Water Power Company (NWP) filed a
motion requesting an extension of time to file its ``better adapted''
statement for the Holyoke Project. As described below, HWP requested an
extension of the March 31 deadline, for a period not to exceed 90 days,
or until June 30, 1998. In its motion, HWP cites the deficiencies in
the competing applicant's application (herein referred to as the City
of Holyoke), as the reason for extending the deadline to file the
``better adapted'' statements. Most notably, HWP references the City of
Holyoke's proposal to install additional capacity at the project.
HWP contends that the City of Holyoke's proposal to install
additional capacity is an integral part of the City of Holyoke's
application. In light of this, HWP argues that until the aforementioned
deficiencies are corrected, it will be unclear as to what the City of
Holyoke is proposing in its application with respect to the
installation of additional capacity. Moreover, HWP argues that such an
emission on the part of the City of
[[Page 15394]]
Holyoke makes it difficult for HWP to compare its proposed project with
the City of Holyoke's proposed project, for purposes of the ``better
adapted'' statements.
Based on the foregoing argument, HWP believes that it is premature
to require HWP and the City of Holyoke to file their ``better adapted''
statements prior to correction of the deficiencies in the applications,
and acceptance of the applications for filing. HWP does not believe
that granting the requested extension of time will unduly delay the
proceedings in this docket.
Good cause has been shown, and the deadline for HWP and the City of
Holyoke to file their ``better adapted'' statements is extended to June
30, 1998.\1\ As noted in the Commission's October 27, 1997, Notice
Granting Extension of Time to File Comments and Requests for Additional
Studies, any further requests for extension of deadlines that effect
the schedule of these proceedings will be given careful scrutiny.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Because, in the absence of this extension, the competing
applicant's would be required to file their ``better adapted''
statements by March 31, 1998, this notice is being issued in advance
of the usual 15-day response time that would otherwise apply to a
motion for extension of time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-8371 Filed 3-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
