01-17177. Application To Export Electric Energy; Coral Power, L.L.C.

AGENCY:

Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION:

Notice of applications.

SUMMARY:

Under two separate applications, Coral Power, L.L.C. (Coral) has applied for renewal of its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico and 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 August 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Imports/Exports (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:

Steven Mintz (Program Office) 202-586-9506 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 June 9, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) authorized Coral to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico using the international electric transmission facilities of San Diego Gas and Electric Company, El Paso Electric Company, Central Power and Light Company, and Comision Federal de Electricidad, the national utility of Mexico. That two-year authorization (Order EA-212) will expire on August 13, 2001.

On August 13, 1999, FE authorized Coral to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada using the international electric transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Authority, Citizens Utilities, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission, 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. That two-year authorization (Order EA-213) will expire on August 13, 2001.

On June 27, 2001, Coral filed two applications with FE for renewal of both of the above export authorizations.

DOE notes that the circumstances described in these applications are virtually identical to those for which export authority had previously been granted in FE Order EA-212 and FE Order EA-213. 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-212 and FE Docket EA-213 proceedings.

Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to these applications 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 Coral application to export electric energy to Mexico should be clearly marked with Docket EA-212-A. Comments on the Coral application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-213-A. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Andrea M. Settanni, Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P., 2000 K Street, NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006-1872 AND Robert Reilley, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Coral Power, L.L.P., 909 Fannin, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77010.

Copies of these applications 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”, then “Pending Procedures” from the options menus.

Issued in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2001.

Anthony J. Como,

Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Imports/Exports, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.