[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33120-33121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13855]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division--Notice of 
Order Confirming and Approving an Extension of the Firm Power Service 
and Firm Peaking Power Service-Rate Order No. WAPA-102

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of rate order.

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

SUMMARY: This action is to extend the existing Pick-Sloan Missouri 
Basin Program-Eastern Division (P-SMBP-ED) firm power service and firm 
peaking power service rates through March 31, 2004. Without this 
action, the existing firm power and firm peaking power rates will 
expire September 30, 2003; and no rates will be in effect for these 
services.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, approved 
December 6, 2001, the Secretary delegated (1) the authority to develop 
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).
    Western submitted its firm power service and firm peaking power 
service rates to the FERC for confirmation and approval on January 10, 
1994. On July 14, 1994, in Docket No. EF94-5031-000 at 68 FERC ] 
62,040, the FERC issued an order confirming, approving, and placing 
into effect on a final basis the firm power service and the firm 
peaking power service rates for the P-SMBP-ED. The rates set forth in 
Rate Order No. WAPA-60 were approved for 5 years beginning February 1, 
1994, and ending January 31, 1999. On October 16, 1998, upon signing 
Rate Order No. WAPA-83, the Deputy Secretary extended the existing 
rates for 2 years beginning February 1, 1999, and ending January 31, 
2001. On July 17, 2000, upon signing Rate Order No. WAPA-90, the Deputy 
Secretary further extended the existing rates for 2 years and 8 months 
beginning February 1, 2001, and ending September 30, 2003. On September 
30, 2003, the P-SMBP-ED firm power service and firm peaking power 
service rates will expire.
    Western's P-SMBP-ED is entering a public process to modify our firm 
power service and firm peaking power service rates. Western is seeking 
this extension to provide more time for the evaluation of costs and 
revenue projections, and to assess the impact of the ongoing drought in 
the West. Therefore, time requirements make it necessary to extend the 
current rates pursuant to 10 CFR part 903.23. Upon its approval, Rate 
Order No. WAPA-60, previously extended under Rate Order No. WAPA-83 and 
Rate Order No. WAPA-90 will be extended under Rate Order No. WAPA-102.
    I approved Rate Order No. WAPA-102 after DOE reviewed Western's 
proposal. My approval extends the existing Pick-Sloan firm power 
service and firm peaking power service Rate Schedules P-SED-F6 and P-
SED-FP6 from October 1, 2003, until March 31, 2004.

    Dated: May 14, 2003.
Kyle E. McSlarrow,
Deputy Secretary.
    This firm power service and firm peaking power service rate was 
established in accordance with section 302(a) of the Department of 
Energy (DOE) Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7152. This act transferred to 
and vested in the Secretary of Energy (Secretary) the power marketing 
functions of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and the 
Bureau of Reclamation under the Reclamation Act of 1902, ch. 1093, 32 
Stat. 388, as amended and supplemented by subsequent enactments, 
particularly section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939, 43 
U.S.C. 485h(c), and other acts that specifically apply to the project 
system involved.
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00, approved December 6, 2001, the 
Secretary delegated (1) The authority to develop 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). This rate extension is issued following the Delegation Order 
and the DOE rate extension procedures at 10 CFR part 903.23(b).

Background

    On July 14, 1994, in Docket No. EF94-5031-000 at 68 FERC ] 62,040, 
FERC confirmed, approved, and placed in effect on a final basis, the 
firm power service and firm peaking power service rates for the P-SMBP-
ED. The rates were approved for 5 years beginning February 1, 1994, and 
ending January 31, 1999. On October 16, 1998, upon signing Rate Order 
No. WAPA-83, the Deputy Secretary extended the existing rates for 2 
years beginning February 1, 1999, and ending January 31, 2001. On July 
17, 2000, upon signing Rate Order No. WAPA-90, the Deputy Secretary 
further extended existing rates for a 2 year and 8 month period 
beginning February 1, 2001, and ending September 30, 2003.

Discussion

    Western's P-SMBP-ED is entering a public process to modify our firm 
power service and firm peaking power service rates. Western seeks this 
extension to provide more time for the evaluation of costs and revenue 
projections, and to assess the impact of the ongoing drought in the 
West. Therefore, time requirements make it necessary to extend the 
current rates pursuant to 10 CFR part 903.23. Upon its approval, Rate 
Order No. WAPA-60, previously extended under Rate Order No. WAPA-83 and 
Rate Order No. WAPA-90 will be extended under Rate Order No. WAPA-102.
    Western proposes to extend the existing P-SMBP-ED firm power 
service and firm peaking power service rates until March 31, 2004, to 
allow time to evaluate costs and complete the public process.

Order

    In view of the above and under the authority delegated to me by the 
Secretary, I hereby extend the existing P-SMBP-ED firm power service 
and firm peaking power service Rate Schedules P-SED-F6 and P-SED-FP6 
from October 1, 2003, until March 31, 2004.

[[Page 33121]]


    Dated: May 14, 2003.
Kyle E. McSlarrow,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-13855 Filed 6-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P