[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10214-10215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4997]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. EA-196-B]


Application To Export Electric Energy; Minnesota Power, Inc.

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Minnesota Power, Inc. (Minnesota Power) has applied for 
renewal of its authority to transmit electric energy from the United 
States 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 April 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Import/Export (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: Xavier Puslowski (Program Office) 202-
586-4708 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 February 11, 1999, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the 
Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. EA-196 authorizing 
Minnesota Power to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Canada. Minnesota Power is a Minnesota corporation that owns electric 
generation and transmission facilities and sells and distributes 
electricity within its northern Minnesota service territory. That two-
year authorization expired on February 11, 2001.
    On March 2, 2001, Minnesota Power filed an application with FE for 
renewal of that export authority for a two-year term. That 
authorization was issued on May 23, 2001.
    On February 3, 2003, Minnesota Power applied for renewal of its 
authorization to export electric energy to Canada for a five year term 
beginning upon the expiration of its current authorization. Minnesota 
Power proposes to arrange for delivery of electric energy to Canada 
over transmission facilities owned and operated by Basin Electric Power 
Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Citizens Utilities, 
International Transmission, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, Joint 
Owners of the Highgate Project, Inc., Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric 
Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power and Light 
Co., Inc., Minnkota Power, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk 
Power Corp., Northern States Power, and Vermont Electric Transmission 
Company.
    The electric energy that Minnesota Power proposes to export will be 
either firm or interruptible. The exported energy will be purchased 
from other entities voluntarily and, therefore, will be surplus to the 
needs of the selling entities.
    Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to become a party to this 
proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this 
application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at 
the address provided above in accordance with Sec. Sec.  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 Minnesota Power request to export to Canada should 
be clearly marked with Docket EA-196-B. Additional copies are to be 
filed directly with Steven W. Tyacke, Esq., Minnesota Power, Inc., 30 
West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802-2092.
    DOE notes that the circumstances described in this application are 
virtually identical to those for which export authority had been 
granted in FE Order No. EA-196. 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 Docket EA-196 proceeding.
    Copies of this application 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,'' from the 
Regulatory Info menu, and then ``Pending Proceedings'' from the options 
menus.


[[Page 10215]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2003.
Anthony Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 03-4997 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P