[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 238 (Monday, December 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77372-77373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31441]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Proposed Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects Firm Power Rate 
Formula Adder

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of extension of comment and consultation period.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration's (Western) Colorado 
River Storage Project (CRSP) Management Center (MC) published a Notice 
of Proposed Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) Firm 
Power Rate Formula Adder in the Federal Register (65 FR 66995) on 
November 8, 2000. This notice extends the comment and consultation 
period by 3 weeks. The MC plans to have the rate formula adder become 
effective March 1, 2001, instead of February 1, 2001, as was previously 
stated in the Federal Register, dated November 8, 2000.

DATES: The consultation and comment period will end on December 29, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Mr. Dave Sabo, CRSP 
Manager, CRSP Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 
P.O. Box 11606, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0606, e-mail [email protected]. 
Western must receive written comments by the end of the consultation 
and comment period to assure consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carol Loftin, Rates Manager, CRSP

[[Page 77373]]

Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 11606, 
Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0606, telephone (801) 524-6380, e-mail 
[email protected], or visit CRSP MC's home page at: www.wapa.gov/crsp/crsp.htm.

Procedural Requirements

    Since the proposed rate formula adder constitutes a major rate 
adjustment as defined at 10 CFR 903.2, both public information forums 
and public comment forums have been held. However, the consultation and 
comment period has been shortened because of the financial hardship 
faced by the CRSP Basin Fund. After reviewing public comments, Western 
will recommend that the proposed rate formula adder or a revised 
proposed rate formula adder be approved on an interim basis by the DOE 
Deputy Secretary.
    The proposed rate formula adder to the SLCA/IP firm power rates is 
being established pursuant to the Department of Energy Organization 
Act, 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; the Reclamation Act of 1902, ch. 1093, 32 
Stat. 388, 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 other acts specifically applicable to the projects 
involved.
    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; and (2) the 
authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect on a final basis, 
to remand, or to disapprove such rates to FERC. In Delegation Order No. 
0204-172, effective November 24, 1999, the Secretary of Energy 
delegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into 
effect on an interim basis to the Deputy Secretary. Existing DOE 
procedures for public participation in power rate adjustments are found 
at 10 CFR part 903.

Availability of Information

    All studies, comments, letters, memorandums, or other documents 
made or kept by Western for developing the proposed rates are and will 
be made available for inspection and copying at the CRSP Management 
Center, located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake 
City, UT 84111-1534.

Regulatory Procedural 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 final 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 does not require a regulatory flexibility 
analysis since it is a rulemaking of particular applicability involving 
rates or services applicable to public property.

Environmental Compliance

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA) (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 determined that this action is categorically 
excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an 
environmental impact statement.

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.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    Western has determined that this rule is exempt from Congressional 
notification requirements under 5 U.S.C. 801 because the action is a 
rulemaking of particular applicability relating to rates or services 
and involves matters of procedure.

    Dated: November 27, 2000.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-31441 Filed 12-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P