[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 ([email protected]).

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