03-4997. Application To Export Electric Energy; Minnesota Power, Inc.

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

Minnesota Power, Inc. (Minnesota Power) has applied for renewal of 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 April 3, 2003.

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:

Xavier Puslowski (Program Office) 202-586-4708 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 February 11, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-196 authorizing Minnesota Power to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada. Minnesota Power is a Minnesota corporation that owns electric generation and transmission facilities and sells and distributes electricity within its northern Minnesota service territory. That two-year authorization expired on February 11, 2001.

On March 2, 2001, Minnesota Power filed an application with FE for renewal of that export authority for a two-year term. That authorization was issued on May 23, 2001.

On February 3, 2003, Minnesota Power applied for renewal of its authorization to export electric energy to Canada for a five year term beginning upon the expiration of its current authorization. Minnesota Power proposes to arrange for delivery of electric energy to Canada over transmission facilities owned and operated by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities, International Transmission, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Inc., Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power and Light Co., Inc., Minnkota Power, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission Company.

The electric energy that Minnesota Power proposes to export will be either firm or interruptible. The exported energy will be purchased from other entities voluntarily and, therefore, will be surplus to the needs of the selling entities.

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 Minnesota Power request to export to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-196-B. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Steven W. Tyacke, Esq., Minnesota Power, Inc., 30 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2092.

DOE notes that the circumstances described in this application are virtually identical to those for which export authority had been granted in FE Order No. EA-196. 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-196 proceeding.

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 “Electricity,” from the Regulatory Info menu, and then “Pending Proceedings” from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2003.

Anthony Como,

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