[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13195]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 31, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

 

Boulder Canyon Project--Proposed Power Service Rate

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Boulder Canyon Project Power Service Rate 
Adjustment.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is announcing 
a second annual rate adjustment for power service for the Boulder 
Canyon Project (BCP). The annual rate adjustments are a requirement of 
the ratesetting methodology of WAPA-58 which was approved by Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission on November 3, 1993, Docket No. EF93-5091-
000. The power repayment spreadsheet study and other analyses indicate 
that the proposed rates for BCP power service are necessary to provide 
sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs (including interest 
expense), plus repayment of required investment within the allowable 
time period. The proposed rate for BCP power service is expected to 
become effective October 1, 1994.
    The proposed rate for BCP power service is based on a composite 
rate of 14.11 mills per kilowatthour (mills/kWh). This composite rate 
consists of an energy charge of 7.06 mills/kWh and a capacity charge of 
$1.23 per kilowatt/month (kW/month).
    The existing BCP power service composite rate is 12.62 mills/kWh, 
comprised of an energy charge of 6.31 mills/kWh and capacity charge of 
$1.07 per kW/month.
    The Administrator of Western confirmed and approved the existing 
rate schedule on a final basis to be placed into effect on February 1, 
1994.
    The following table compares the BCP existing rates with the 
proposed rates:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Existing                           
                                    rates Feb.                          
                                     1, 1994      Proposed     Percent  
         Type of service             through     rates Oct.     change  
                                    Sept. 30,     1, 1994               
                                       1994                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Composite Rate (mills/kWh).......        12.62        14.11         11.8
 Energy Rate (mills/kWh).........         6.31         7.06         11.9
Capacity Rate (kW/month).........        $1.07        $1.23         15.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the proposed rates constitute a major rate adjustment as 
defined by the procedures for public participation in general rate 
adjustments, as cited below, both a public information forum and a 
public comment forum will be held. After review of public comments, 
Western will recommend the proposed rates for approval on a final basis 
by the Administrator of Western.

DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin with publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register and will end not less than 90 
days later, or August 18, 1994, whichever occurs later. A public 
information forum will be held at 10 a.m. on June 15, 1994, at 
Western's Phoenix Area Office, 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. 
A public comment forum at which Western will receive oral and written 
comments will be held at 10 a.m. on July 8, 1994, at Western's Phoenix 
Area Office.
    Written comments should be received by Western by the end of the 
consultation and comment period to be assured consideration and should 
be sent to the address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Area Manager, Mr. J. Tyler 
Carlson, Phoenix Area Office, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. 
Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005, (602) 352-2521.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Power service rates for the BCP are 
established pursuant to the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) and the Reclamation Act of 1902 (43 U.S.C. 372 et 
seq.), as amended and supplemented by subsequent enactments, 
particularly section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 
U.S.C. 485h(c)); the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968 (43 
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956 
(43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.); the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 (43 
U.S.C. 617, et seq.); the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act of 1940 
(43 U.S.C. 618 et seq.); the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 (43 U.S.C. 
619 et seq.); the General Regulations for Power Generation, Operation, 
Maintenance, and Replacement at the Boulder Canyon Project, Arizona/
Nevada (43 CFR part 431) published in the Federal Register at 51 FR 
23960 on July 1, 1986; and the General Regulations for the Charges for 
the Sale of Power from the Boulder Canyon Project, Final Rule (General 
Regulations) (10 CFR part 904) published in the Federal Register at 51 
FR 43124 on November 28, 1986.
    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 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 power rates to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 
Existing DOE procedures for public participation in power rate 
adjustments (10 CFR part 903) became effective on September 18, 1985 
(50 FR 37835).

Availability of Information

    All brochures, studies, comments, letters, memorandums, and other 
documents made or kept by Western for the purpose of developing the 
proposed rates for BCP power service are and will be made available for 
inspection and copying at the Phoenix Area Office, located at 615 South 
43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85005.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), each agency, when required by 5 U.S.C. 553 to publish a proposed 
rule, is further required to prepare and make available for public 
comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis to describe the 
impact of the proposed rule on small entities. In this instance, the 
initiation of the BCP power service rate adjustments are related to 
nonregulatory services provided by Western at a particular rate. Under 
5 U.S.C. 601(2), rules of particular applicability relating to rates or 
services are not considered rules within the meaning of the act. Since 
the BCP power service rates are of limited applicability, no 
flexibility analysis is required.

Determination Under Executive Order 12866

    DOE has determined that this is not a significant regulatory action 
because it does not meet the criteria of Executive Order 12866, 58 FR 
51735. Western has an exemption from centralized regulatory review 
under Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice 
by the Office of Management and Budget is required.

Environmental Evaluation

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 
part 1021), Western has determined that this action is categorically 
excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an 
environmental impact statement.

    Issued in Golden, Colorado, May 19, 1994.
William H. Clagett,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-13195 Filed 5-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 64501-01-P