[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37096-37097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18213]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket Nos. EA-105-A-CN, EA-168-A and EA-187]


Applications To Export Electric Energy; NorAm Energy Services, 
PG&E Energy, Merchant Energy Group

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of applications.

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SUMMARY: NorAm Energy Services, Inc. (NES) has applied for renewal of 
its authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act. PG&E Energy 
Trading-Power, L.P. (PG&E) has applied to amend its authorization to 
export electric energy to Canada by adding additional transmission 
facilities, and Merchant Energy Group of the Americas, Inc. (MEGA) has 
applied for authority to transmit electric energy to Canada.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before August 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex (FE-27), Office of 
Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0350 (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)).
    The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) 
has received applications from the following companies for 
authorization to export electric energy to Canada:

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                                                   Application                                                  
                   Applicant                          date                          Docket No.                  
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NorAm Energy Services Inc......................         6/18/98  EA-105-A-CN                                    
PG&E Energy Trading-Power, L.P.................         6/23/98  EA-168-A                                       
Merchant Energy Group of the Americas, Inc.....         6/25/98  EA-187                                         
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[[Page 37097]]

    On August 16, 1996, FE authorized NES, a power marketer, to 
transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada. That 
authorization will expire on August 16, 1998. In Docket EA-105-A-CN, 
NES filed an application with FE for renewal of its export authority 
for a five year period.
    On February 24, 1998, FE authorized PG&E to export electric energy 
from the United States to Canada using the transmission facilities of 
The Detroit Edison Company, Minnesota Power & Light Company, the New 
York Power Authority, and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. In the 
application in Docket No. EA-168-A, PG&E now seeks to add additional 
international transmission facilities to those already authorized.
    In Docket No. EA-187, MEGA, a power marketer, proposes to export to 
Canada electric energy purchased from U.S. electric utilities, Federal 
power marketing agencies, and other entities authorized to sell power 
for resale.
    Each of the above exporters propose to arrange for the delivery of 
electric energy to Canada over transmission facilities owned by Basin 
Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Bradfield 
Electric, Citizens Utilities, Detroit Edison Company, Eastern Maine 
Electric Cooperative, Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault 
Incorporated, Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service 
Company, Minnesota Power and Light Company, Minnkota Power Cooperative, 
New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Northern 
States Power and Vermont Electric Transmission Company.
    The construction of each of the international transmission 
facilities to be utilized by these applicants, as more fully described 
in the applications, 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 protest 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 
each petition and protest should be filed with the DOE on or before the 
date listed above.
    Comments on NES's request to renew its export authorization to 
Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-105-A-CN. Additional 
copies are to be filed directly with Kevin P. Erwin, General Attorney, 
NorAm Energy Service, Inc., P.O. Box 4455, 1111 Louisiana, 7th Floor, 
Houston, Texas 77210-4455.
    Comments on PG&E's application to amend its authorization to export 
electric energy to Canada should be marked with Docket EA-168-A. 
Additional copies are to be filed directly with Christopher A. Wilson, 
Esq., Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Generating Company, 7500 Old 
Georgetown Road, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814-6161 and Ms. Sarah 
Barpoulis, Senior Vice President, PG&E Energy Trading--Power, L.P., 
7500 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814-6161.
    Comments on MEGA's application to export electric energy to Canada 
should be clearly marked with Docket EA-187. Additional copies are to 
be filed directly with Joseph P. Limone, Esq., Legal Department, 
Merchant Energy Group of the Americas, Inc., 275 West Street, Suite 
320, Annapolis, MD 21401.
    A final decision will be made on these applications 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 actions will not adversely impact on the 
reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system.
    Copies of these applications will be made available, upon request, 
for public inspection and copying at the address provided above. 
Further information may also be obtained on the program through the 
World Wide Web by accessing the Fossil Energy Home Page at http://
www.fe.doe.gov then selecting ``Regulatory'' and ``Electricity'' from 
the options menus.

    Issued in Washington, DC on July 2, 1998.
Ellen Russell,
Acting Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/
Ex, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 98-18213 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P