05-6929. Application To Export Electric Energy; Rainy River Energy Corporation

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

SUMMARY:

Rainy River Energy Corporation (Rainy River) has applied to renew 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 May 9, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Systems (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 March 24, 2003, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-273 authorizing Rainy River to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. That two year authorization will expire on March 24, 2005.

On March 14, 2005, Rainy River applied to FE to renew its authorization for a five-year term. Rainy River proposes to arrange for the delivery of exports over the international transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities Company, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Company, Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Northern States Power, Vermont Electric Transmission Company.

The construction of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by Rainy River, as more fully described in the application, has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.

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 dates listed above.

Comments on the Rainy River application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-273-A. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Christopher D. Anderson, Counsel for Rainy River Energy Corporation, 30 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802.

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 Regulation,” and then “Pending Proceedings” from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2005.

Anthony J. Como,

Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Fossil Energy.