[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 40244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19272]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Temporary Variance Request and Soliciting Comments, 
Motions To Intervene, and Protests

July 27, 2001.
    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:
    a. Type of Application: Request for Temporary Variance of Minimum 
Flow Requirement.
    b. Project No.: 405-053.
    c. Date Filed: July 25, 2001.
    d. Applicant: Susquehanna Electric Company.
    e. Name of Project: Conowingo Project.
    f. Location: On the Susquehanna River, in Harford and Cecil 
Counties, Maryland and York and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania. The 
project does not utilize federal or tribal lands.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 4.200.
    h. Applicant Contact: John J. McCormick, Jr., Plant Manager, 
Susquehanna Electric Company, 2569 Shures Landing Road, Darlington, MD 
21034, (410) 457-2401.
    i. FERC Contact: John K. Novak, [email protected], (202) 219-
2828.
    j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene and protest: 
August 17, 2001.
    Please include the project number(P-405-053) on any comments or 
motions filed.
    All documents (original and seven copies) should be filed with: 
David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    k. Description of Application: Susquehanna Electric Company (SEC) 
has requested Commission approval of a variance of the minimum flow 
requirement of the project license. Due to the rapidly decreasing flows 
in the Susquehanna River, SEC requests that it be allowed to include 
plant leakage of about 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the required 
minimum flow discharge until September 14, 2001, or until flow 
conditions improve where the Conowingo Project no longer requires 
leakage be included as part of the minimum flow requirement. According 
to the license, for the period June 1 to September 14, annually, SEC 
must provide a minimum flow release (not including leakage) below the 
dam of 5,000 cfs, or inflow (as measured at the USGS gage at Marietta, 
PA), whichever is less.
    The SEC is concerned about the ability of the Conowingo Project to 
maintain an adequate pond level and storage capacity during the current 
low flow period. Maintaining storage is necessary for generation and to 
ensure an adequate water supply for recreational and consumptive uses 
of the Conowingo Reservoir to include operation of Peach Bottom Atomic 
Power Station and Muddy Run Pumped Storage Project. Including plant 
leakage in the minimum flow discharge will contribute to the 
maintenance of these project water uses during this low flow period. 
During the period of the minimum flow variance the SEC will conduct 
daily monitoring of the Susquehanna River below the project for 
potential environmental effects. If any abnormal or adverse conditions 
are observed the SEC will promptly notify the Maryland Department of 
Natural Resources.
    l. Locations of the Application: Copies of this filing are on file 
with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This 
filing may be viewed on the Commission's web site at http:www.ferc.gov 
using the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket #'' and follow the 
instructions ((202)208-2222 for assistance). Comments, protest and 
interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of 
paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the 
Commission's web site under the ``e-Filing'' link.
    m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing 
list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.
    n. Protests or Motions to Intervene--Anyone may submit a protest or 
a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of 
Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210. 385.211, and 385.2114. In 
determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will 
consider all protests filed, but only those who file a motion to 
intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party 
to the proceeding. Any protests or motions to intervene must be 
received on or before the specified deadline date for the particular 
application.
    o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents--Any filings must 
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS'', ``RECOMMENDATION 
FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS'', ``PROTESTS, OR MOTION TO INTERVENE'', as 
applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to 
which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed 
by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the 
Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any 
motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the 
Applicant specified in the particular application.
    p. Agency Comments--Federal, state, and local agencies are invited 
to file comments on the described application. A copy of the 
application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If 
an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing 
comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an 
agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-19272 Filed 8-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P