[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22184]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division--Notice of
Proposed Extension of the Firm Power Service and Firm Peaking Power
Service Rates Order No. WAPA-83
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Extension of Firm Power Service and Firm
Peaking Power Service Rates.
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SUMMARY: This action is a proposal to extend the existing Pick-Sloan
Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division (P-SMBP-ED) firm power service
and firm peaking power service rates, Rate Order No. WAPA-60, through
January 31, 2001. The existing firm power service and firm peaking
power service rates will expire January 31, 1999. This notice of
proposed extension of rates is issued pursuant to 10 CFR 903.23(a)(1).
In accordance with 10 CFR Part 903.23(a)(2) Western will not have a
consultation and comment period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert F. Riehl, Rates Manager,
Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 35800, Billings, MT 59107-5800, (406) 247-
7388, or e-mail (riehl@wapa.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Amendment No. 3 to Delegation Order No.
0204-108, published November 10, 1993 (58 FR 59716), the Secretary of
Energy delegated (1) the authority to develop long-term power and
transmission rates on a nonexclusive basis to the Administrator of the
Western Area Power Administration (Western); (2) the authority to
confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis
to the Deputy Secretary; and (3) the authority to confirm, approve, and
place into effect on a final basis, to remand, or to disapprove such
rates to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Pursuant to Delegation Order No. 0204-108 and existing Department
of Energy procedures for public participation in firm power service
rate adjustments at 10 CFR Part 903, Western's P-SMBP-ED firm power
service and firm peaking power service rates were submitted to FERC for
confirmation and approval on January 20, 1994. On July 14, 1994, in
Docket No. EF94-5031-000 at 68 FERC para. 62,040, FERC issued an order
confirming, approving, and placing into effect on a final basis the
firm power service and the firm peaking power service rates for the P-
SMBP-ED. The rates, Rate Order No. WAPA-60, were approved for a 5-year
period beginning February 1, 1994, and ending January 31, 1999.
On January 31, 1999, the P-SMBP-ED firm power service and firm
peaking power service rates will expire. This makes it necessary to
extend the current rates pursuant to 10 CFR Part 903. Upon its
approval, Rate Order No. WAPA-60 will be extended under Rate Order No.
WAPA-83.
Western proposes to extend the existing rate of $3.20/kilowattmonth
for capacity and the rate of 8.32 mills/kilowatthour for energy which
are sufficient to recover project expenses (including interest) and
capital requirements through January 31, 2001.
Increased revenue from good hydrologic conditions and lower
operation and maintenance expenses over the cost evaluation period have
made this possible. For the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, the
ratesetting study projected the deficit to peak at $178 million in
Fiscal Year (FY) 1994 and to be repaid in FY 2002. The deficit actually
peaked at $171 million in FY 1993 and was totally repaid in FY 1997.
The total revenue requirement of $135.2 million is sufficient to cover
the expenses and capital requirements through January 31, 2001.
All documents made or kept by Western for developing the proposed
extension of the firm power service and firm peaking power service
rates will be made available for inspection and copying at the Upper
Great Plains Customer Service Region, located at 2900 4th Avenue North,
Billings, Montana.
Thirty days after publication of this notice Rate Order No. WAPA-83
will be submitted to the Deputy Secretary for approval through January
31, 2001.
Dated: August 6, 1998.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-22184 Filed 8-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
