[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 13696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6690]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Wallula-McNary Transmission Line Project and Wallula Power 
Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Record of Decision (ROD).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the ROD for the 
Wallula-McNary Transmission Line Project and Wallula Power Project, 
based on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0330, August 
2002). BPA has decided to implement its portion of the proposed action 
identified in the Final EIS, which includes interconnection with the 
Federal Columbia River Transmission System (FCRTS) of a power plant 
that Wallula Generation LLC (Wallula LLC) has proposed to construct. 
The interconnection would be accomplished through the construction of a 
new transmission line and substation, and negotiation of 
interconnection and transmission agreements with Wallula LLC or its 
successor.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD and EIS may be obtained by calling BPA 
toll-free at 1-888-276-7790. The ROD and EIS Summary are also available 
on the Transmission Business Line Web site at http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald L. Rose, Bonneville Power 
Administration--KEC-4, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 97208-3621; 
toll-free telephone number 1-800-282-3713; fax number 503-230-5699; or 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Wallula Project is a 1,300-
megawatt (MW) natural-gas-fired, combined-cycle turbine power plant 
that Wallula LLC is planning to construct on a site near the Columbia 
River in Walla Walla County, Washington, approximately eight miles 
south of the City of Pasco. BPA will construct a new 5.1-mile, 500-
kilovolt (kV) transmission line to interconnect the Wallula Project 
with the FCRTS and the new Smiths Harbor Substation, where the 
interconnection will be located. The new substation will be located 
adjacent to the existing 500-kV Lower Monumental-McNary transmission 
line, which is a part of the FCRTS. Power generated by the Wallula 
Project will be made available for purchase in the wholesale power 
market.
    Wallula LLC has also requested firm transmission service be 
available on the FCRTS to John Day and Big Eddy Substations. The 
proposed action evaluated in the EIS included an additional 28 miles of 
500-kV line that was expected to be needed for firm transmission 
service to John Day and Big Eddy. The need for the 28-mile segment of 
line diminished as other proposed generation projects that requested 
firm transmission on existing transmission lines were cancelled or put 
on hold. This has resulted in adequate transmission capacity for 
Wallula Project service becoming available on the existing Lower 
Monumental-McNary line. Although construction of all project components 
and negotiation of contract agreements were originally expected to be 
completed by Fall of 2004, the current schedule is uncertain.
    For BPA, implementing the proposed action involves offering 
contract terms to Wallula LLC or its successor for interconnecting the 
Wallula Project into the FCRTS and providing firm transmission service 
to John Day and Big Eddy Substations. Under these contracts, BPA will 
construct, operate, and maintain the necessary interconnection 
facilities (including the new transmission line and substation) and 
integrate power from the Wallula Project into the FCRTS. Firm 
transmission service will require transmission capacity be available on 
the existing Lower Monumental-McNary transmission line. All practicable 
means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the alternative 
selected have been adopted and will be implemented in accordance with 
Appendix A of the Final EIS, Revised Mitigation Measures.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on March 10, 2003.
Stephen J. Wright,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-6690 Filed 3-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P