[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 140 (Friday, July 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 37952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18165]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket Nos. EA-147-B and EA-148-B]


Applications to Export Electric Energy; Aquila Energy Marketing 
Corporation

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of applications.

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SUMMARY: Under separate applications, Aquila Energy Marketing 
Corporation (``AEM'') has applied for renewal of its authority to 
transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico and to Canada 
pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before August 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Imports/Exports (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: Rosalind Carter (Program Office) 202-
586-7983 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.

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)).
    On June 19, 1997, in Docket EA-147, the Office of Fossil Energy 
(FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) authorized AEM to transmit 
electric energy from the United States to Mexico using the 
international electric transmission facilities of San Diego Gas and 
Electric Company, El Paso Electric Company, Central Power and Light 
Company, and Comision Federal de Electricidad, the national electric 
utility of Mexico. That two-year authorization was renewed on August 
11, 1999, in Docket EA-147-A and will expire on August 11, 2001.
    On August 13, 1997, in Docket EA-148, FE authorized AEM to transmit 
electric energy from the United States to Canada using the 
international electric transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric 
Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities, 
Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Detroit Edison, Joint Owners of the 
Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine 
Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power 
Cooperative, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power 
Corporation, Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission 
Company. That two-year authorization was renewed on August 11, 1999, in 
Docket EA-148-A and will expire on August 11, 2001. On July 5, 2001, 
AEM filed applications with FE for renewal of both export 
authorizations for a term of two years or such other term as DOE may 
deem appropriate. DOE will consider renewal of the authorization for a 
period of five years.
    DOE notes that the circumstances described in these applications 
are virtually identical to those for which export authority had 
previously been granted in FE Orders EA-147 and EA-148. Consequently, 
DOE believes that it has adequately satisfied its responsibilities 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 through the 
documentation of a categorical exclusion in the FE Dockets EA-147 and 
EA-148 proceedings.
    In its applications, AEM requested expedited processing of this 
renewal application so that there would be no gap in its authority to 
export and it may continue exporting electric energy to Canada and to 
Mexico without interruption. Accordingly, DOE has shortened the comment 
period to 15 days.
    Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to become a party to this 
proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to these 
applications 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 the AEM application to export electric energy to Mexico 
should be clearly marked with Docket EA-147-B. Comments on the AEM 
application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly 
marked with Docket EA-148-B. Additional copies are to be filed directly 
with David Stevenson, Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation, 1100 Walnut 
Street, Suite 3300, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 AND Kathryn A. 
Flaherty, Attorney for Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation, Blackwell 
Sanders Peper Martin, 13710 FNB Parkway, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 
68154.
    Copies of these applications will be made available, upon request, 
for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by 
accessing the Fossil Energy Home Page at http://www.fe.doe.gov. Upon 
reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select ``Electricity 
Regulation,'' then ``Pending Procedures'' from the options menus.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Imports/Exports, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil 
Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-18165 Filed 7-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P