[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14227-14228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7213]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Boulder Canyon Project--Firm Power Services Base Charge

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Base Charge Adjustments.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration's (Western) Desert 
Southwest Region (DSW) is initiating a rate adjustment process for the 
firm power services base charge for the Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) 
for FY 2000. The annual base charge adjustments are a requirement of 
the rate setting methodology approved on a final basis by the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 19, 1996. The existing 
rate schedule was placed into effect on November 1, 1995. The power 
repayment study indicates the proposed base charge herein for BCP firm 
power services is appropriate to provide sufficient revenue to pay all

[[Page 14228]]

annual costs (including interest expense), plus repayment of required 
investment within the allowable time period.
    The proposed base charge is explained in greater detail during the 
informal and formal processes and made available to all power customers 
and interested parties.
    The proposed base charge for firm power services is expected to 
become effective October 1, 1999. This Federal Register notice 
initiates the formal process for the proposed base charge.

DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin from the date of 
publication of this Federal Register notice and will end June 22, 1999. 
A public information forum at which Western will present a detailed 
explanation of the proposed base charge is scheduled for April 21, 
1999, beginning at 10:00 a.m. MST, at the Desert Southwest Regional 
Office. A public comment forum at which Western will receive oral and 
written comments is scheduled for June 2, 1999, beginning at 10:30 a.m. 
MST, at the same location.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Mr. J. Tyler Carlson, 
Regional Manager, Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western 
Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457. 
Western should receive written comments by the end of the consultation 
and comment period to be assured consideration. The public forums will 
be held at the Desert Southwest Regional Office, 615 South 43rd Avenue, 
Phoenix, Arizona.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Maher A. Nasir, Rates Team Lead, 
Desert Southwest Customer Service Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 6457, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6457, (602) 352-2768.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Base Charge for Firm Power Services

    In accordance with established rate design principles for the BCP 
firm power services, Western has established a proposed base charge, 
consisting of an energy dollar and capacity dollar, and has established 
a forecast energy rate and forecast capacity rate. The proposed base 
charge for BCP firm power services is based on an annual revenue 
requirement of $47,929,196. The proposed base charge consists of an 
energy dollar amount of $24,752,366 and a capacity dollar amount of 
$23,176,831. The proposed forecast energy rate is 4.6249 mills/
kilowatthour (mills/kWh), and the proposed forecast capacity rate is 
$0.9900 per kilowattmonth ($/kWmo).
    The existing BCP firm power services base charge is based on an 
annual revenue requirement of $48,842,126, consisting of an energy 
dollar amount of $25,208,831 and a capacity dollar amount of 
$23,633,296. The existing BCP forecast energy rate is 4.8646 mills/kWh 
and the forecast capacity rate is $1.0095/kWmo.

Authorities

    Since the proposed change to the base charge constitutes a major 
rate adjustment as defined in 10 CFR 903.2, both a public information 
forum and a public comment forum will be held. After review of public 
comments, Western will recommend the proposed base charge or revised 
proposed base charge for approval on an interim basis by the Department 
of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary.
    The proposed firm power services base charge for BCP is being 
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. 371, 
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)) and section 8 of the Act of August 31, 1964 (16 U.S.C. 
837g), the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968 (43 U.S.C. 1501, et 
seq.), the Colorado River Storage Project Act (43 U.S.C. 620, et seq.), 
the Boulder Canyon Project Act (43 U.S.C. 617, et seq.), the Boulder 
Canyon Project Adjustment Act (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 BCP, 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 BCP, Final 
Rule (10 CFR Part 904) published in the Federal Register at 50 FR 37837 
on September 18, 1985, and the DOE financial reporting policies, 
procedures, and methodology (DOE Order No. RA 6120.2 dated September 
20, 1979).
    By Amendment No. 3 to Delegation Order No. 0204-108, published 
November 10, 1993 (58 FR 59716), the Secretary of DOE 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 in 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 FERC. Existing DOE procedures for public participation in 
power rate adjustments (10 CFR Part 903) became effective on September 
18, 1985 (50 FR 37835).

Regulatory Procedure Requirements

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) 
requires Federal agencies to perform a regulatory flexibility analysis 
if a proposed rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities and there is a legal requirement 
to issue a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Western has 
determined that this action relates to rates or services offered by 
Western, and therefore is not a rule within the purview of the Act.

Environmental Compliance

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); the Council On Environmental Quality 
Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508); and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR 
Part 1021), Western conducts environmental evaluations of the proposed 
base charge and develops the appropriate level of documentation.

Determination Under Executive Order 12866

    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.

Availability of Information

    All brochures, studies, comments, letters, memorandums, and other 
documents made or kept by Western for the purpose of developing the 
proposed base charge will be made available for inspection and copying 
at Western's Desert Southwest Regional Office at 615 South 43rd Avenue 
in Phoenix, Arizona.

    Dated: March 5, 1999.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-7213 Filed 3-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-U