[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 4273] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-2171] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Docket No. EA-140] Application To Export Electric Energy; Public Service Company of New Mexico AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE. SUMMARY: Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), a regulated public utility, has submitted an application to export electric energy to Mexico pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act. DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before February 28, 1997. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex (FE-52), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585 (FAX 202-287-5736). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202- 586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-6667. 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 January 16, 1997, PNM filed an application with the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) for authorization to export electric energy to Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), the Mexican national electric utility, or other power customers in Mexico, for a term of five years, pursuant to section 202(e) of the FPA. Specifically, PNM has proposed to engage in open-ended transactions to transmit and exchange wholesale electric energy under terms and contracts to be negotiated in the future. PNM asserts that a series of State regulatory actions have left the utility with 170 megawatts (MW) of excess generating capacity that could be dedicated for the sale in the wholesale market. PNM further asserts that it will schedule all power consistent with the reliability criteria, standards, and guides of the North American Electric Reliability Council and the Western Systems Coordinating Council. The electric energy PNM proposes to sell to CFE would be delivered to Mexico using San Diego Gas & Electric Company's two 230-kilovolt transmission facilities at Miguel and Imperial Valley, California. The construction and operation of these international transmission lines was previously authorized by Presidential Permit numbers PP-68 and PP- 79, respectively. Procedural Matters Any persons 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 Secs. 385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of such petitions and protests should be filed with the DOE on or before the date listed above. Additional copies are to be filed directly with: John T. Stough, Jr., Long, Aldridge & Norman, L.L.P., 701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20004 And Patrick T. Ortiz, Secretary and General Counsel, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Alvarado Square, Albuquerque, N.M. 87158. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and a determination is made by the DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above. Issued in Washington, DC on January 23, 1997. Anthony J. Como, Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal and Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. 97-2171 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P