[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 243 (Monday, December 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79122-79123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32107]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Eastern and Western Division 
Proposed Project Use Power Rate

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Eastern 
and Western Division, Project Use Power Rate Adjustment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is proposing a rate 
adjustment (proposed rate) for Project Use Power for the Pick-Sloan 
Missouri Basin Program (P-SMBP), Eastern and Western Division. The 
proposed rate for Project Use Power is to recover all annual operating, 
maintenance, and replacement expenses. The analysis of the proposed 
Project Use Rate is included in a booklet available upon request. The 
proposed rate for Project Use Power will become effective April 1, 
2001.
    This notice provides the opportunity for public comment. After 
review of comments received, Reclamation will consider them, revise the 
rates if necessary, and recommend a proposed rate for approval to the 
Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.

DATES: The comment period will begin with publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. To be assured consideration, please submit 
comments on or before January 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Jim L. Wedeward, GP-2020, 
Power O&M Administrator, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 36900, 
Billings MT 59107-6900.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual 
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from public 
disclosure, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There 
also may be circumstances in which we would withhold a respondent's 
identity from public disclosure, as allowable by law. If you wish us to 
withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your

[[Page 79123]]

comment. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, 
and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or 
officials of organizations or businesses, available for public 
disclosure in their entirety.
    All booklets, studies, comments, letters, memoranda, and other 
documents made or kept by Reclamation for the purpose of developing the 
proposed rate for Project Use Power will be made available for 
inspection and copying at the Great Plains Regional Office, located at 
316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59107-6900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim L. Wedeward (406) 247-7705, 
Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Power rates for the P-SMBP are established 
pursuant to 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 
the Flood Control Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 887).
    Beginning April 1, 2001, Reclamation proposes to:
    (a) Increase the energy charge from 2.5 mills/kWh to 10.76 mills/
kWh
    (b) the monthly demand charge will remain at zero.
    The Project Use Power rate will be reviewed each time Western Area 
Power Administration (Western) adjusts the 
P-SMBP Firm power rate. Western will conduct the necessary studies and 
use the methodology identified in this rate proposal to determine a new 
rate.
    The existing rate schedule MRB-P10 placed into effect on November 
1, 1986, will be replaced by rate schedule MRB-P11.
    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 Reclamation's Regulations (10 
CFR Part 1021), Reclamation has determined that this action is 
categorically excluded from the preparation of an Environmental 
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement.

    Dated: December 12, 2000.
Gerald W. Kelso,
Assistant Regional Director, Great Plains Region, Bureau of 
Reclamation.
[FR Doc. 00-32107 Filed 12-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P