[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 10237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4995]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division--Proposed 
Extension of the Transmission Service Rate Schedules--Rate Order No. 
WAPA-100

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Extension of the Transmission Service Rate 
Schedules.

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SUMMARY: This action is a proposal to extend the existing Pick-Sloan 
Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division (P-SMBP-ED) Transmission 
Service Rate Schedules UGP-AS1, UGP-AS2, UGP-AS3, UGP-AS4, UGP-AS5, 
UGP-AS6, UGP-FTP1, UGP-NFPT1, and UGP-NT1 of Rate Order No. WAPA-79, 
through September 30, 2005. The existing Transmission Service Rate 
Schedules will expire July 31, 2003. These Transmission Service 
Schedules contain formulary rates that are recalculated from yearly 
updated financial and load data. This notice of proposed extension of 
rates is issued pursuant to 10 CFR part 903.23(a)(1). Consistent with 
these regulations, Western Area Power Administration (Western) will not 
hold a consultation and comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert F. Riehl, Rates Manager, 
Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 35800, Billings, MT 59107-5800, (406) 247-
7388, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Delegation Order No. 00-0037.00 effective 
December 6, 2001, the Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority 
to develop long-term power and transmission rates on a non-exclusive 
basis to Western's Administrator; (2) the authority to confirm, 
approve, and place such rates into 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 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
    Pursuant to Delegation Order No. 0204-108 and existing Department 
of Energy procedures for public participation in rate adjustments at 10 
CFR part 903, Western's P-SMBP-ED Transmission Service Rate Schedules 
were submitted to FERC for confirmation and approval on August 3, 1998. 
On November 25, 1998, in Docket No. EF98-5031-000 at 85 FERC ] 61,273, 
FERC issued an order confirming, approving, and placing into effect on 
a final basis the Transmission Service Rate Schedules for the P-SMBP-
ED. The Transmission Service Rate Schedules, Rate Order No. WAPA-79, 
were approved for 5 years beginning August 1, 1998, and ending July 31, 
2003.
    Western is currently evaluating several options for joining the 
Midwest Independent System Operator, a FERC-approved Regional 
Transmission Organization. That decision could redefine our current 
rate provisions. Therefore, Western believes it is premature to proceed 
with a formal rate process at this time. Extending the existing 
Transmission Service Rate Schedules to September 30, 2005, should 
provide enough time to complete our evaluation process. Western 
proposes to extend the current rate schedules pursuant to 10 CFR part 
903. Upon its approval, Rate Order No. WAPA-79 will be extended under 
Rate Order No. WAPA-100.
    Western's existing formulary Transmission Service Rate Schedules, 
which are recalculated annually, would sufficiently recover project 
expenses (including interest) and capital requirements through 
September 30, 2005.
    All documents made or kept by Western for developing the proposed 
extension of the Transmission Service Rate Schedules will be made 
available for inspection and copying at the Upper Great Plains Customer 
Service Region, located at 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, Montana.
    Thirty days after publication of this notice Rate Order No. WAPA-
100 will be submitted to the Deputy Secretary for approval through 
September 30, 2005.

    Dated: February 14, 2003.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-4995 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P