[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37483-37484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15887]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Southwestern Power Administration


Robert D. Willis Power Rate

AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of public review and comment.

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SUMMARY: The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration 
(Southwestern), has prepared Current and Revised 2003 Power Repayment 
Studies that show the need for an increase in annual revenues to meet 
cost recovery criteria. Such increased revenues are required primarily 
due to increased operations and maintenance expenses at the project. 
The Administrator has developed a proposed Robert D. Willis rate 
schedule, which is supported by a power repayment study, to recover the 
required revenues. Beginning October 1, 2003, the proposed rates would 
increase annual revenues approximately 35.0 percent from $353,700 to 
$477,612.

DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin on the date of 
publication of this Federal Register notice and will end August 25, 
2003.
    1. Public Information Forum--July 15, 2003, 9 a.m. central time, 
Tulsa, OK
    2. Public Comment Forum--July 31, 2003, 9 a.m. central time, Tulsa, 
OK

ADDRESSES: The forums will be held in Southwestern's offices, Room 
1402, Williams Center Tower I, One West Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 
74103. Five copies of the written comments, together with a diskette in 
MS Word or Corel Word Perfect, regarding the proposed rate change 
should be submitted to the Administrator, Southwestern Power 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, (918) 595-6696.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Energy was created by 
an Act of the U.S. Congress, Department of

[[Page 37484]]

Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, dated August 4, 1977, and 
Southwestern's power marketing activities were transferred from the 
Department of Interior to the Department of Energy, effective October 
1, 1977. Guidelines for preparation of power repayment studies are 
included in DOE Order No. RA 6120.2, Power Marketing Administration 
Financial Reporting. Procedures for Public Participation in Power and 
Transmission Rate Adjustments of the Power Marketing Administrations 
are found at Title 10, part 903, subpart A of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR 903).
    Southwestern markets power from 24 multi-purpose reservoir 
projects, with hydroelectric power facilities constructed and operated 
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These projects are located in the 
states of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Southwestern's 
marketing area includes these States plus Kansas and Louisiana. The 
costs associated with the hydropower facilities of 22 of the 24 
projects are repaid via revenues received under the Integrated System 
rates, as are Southwestern's transmission facilities that consist of 
1,380 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, 24 substations, and 46 
microwave and VHF radio sites. Costs associated with the Robert D. 
Willis and Sam Rayburn Dams, two projects that are isolated 
hydraulically, electrically, and financially from the Integrated System 
are repaid by separate rate schedules.
    Following Department of Energy guidelines, the Administrator, 
Southwestern, prepared a Current Power Repayment study using the 
existing Robert D. Willis rate. The Study indicates that Southwestern's 
legal requirement to repay the investment in the power generating 
facilitiy for power and energy marketed by Southwestern will be under-
collected without an increase in revenues. The need for increased 
revenues is primarily due to increased costs for Corps of Engineers' 
operations and maintenance expenses. The Revised Power Repayment Study 
shows that an increase in annual revenue of $123,912 (a 35.0 percent 
increase), beginning October 1, 2003, is needed to satisfy repayment 
criteria.
    Opportunity is presented for Southwestern customers and other 
interested parties to receive copies of the Robert D. Willis Power 
Repayment Studies and the proposed rate schedule. If you desire a copy 
of the Robert D. Willis Power Repayment Data Package with the proposed 
Rate Schedule, submit your request to Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power 
Administration, One West Third Street, Tulsa, OK 74103, (918) 595-6696 
or via email to [email protected].
    A Public Information Forum is scheduled to be held on July 15, 
2003, to explain to customers and the public the proposed rate and 
supporting studies. The Forum will be conducted by a chairman who will 
be responsible for orderly procedure. Questions concerning the rate, 
studies, and information presented at the Forum will be answered, to 
the extent possible, at the Forum. Questions not answered at the Forum 
will be answered in writing, except that questions involving voluminous 
data contained in Southwestern's records may best be answered by 
consultation and review of pertinent records at Southwestern's offices.
    Persons interested in attending the Public Information Forum should 
indicate in writing by letter or facsimile transmission (918-595-6656) 
by July 8, 2003, their intent to appear at such Forum. If no one so 
indicates their intent to attend, no such Forum will be held.
    A Public Comment Forum is scheduled to be held on July 31, 2003, at 
which interested persons may submit written comments or make oral 
presentations of their views and comments related to the rate proposal. 
The Forum will be conducted by a chairman who will be responsible for 
orderly procedure. Southwestern's representatives will be present, and 
they and the chairman may ask questions of the speakers.
    Persons interested in attending the Public Comment Forum should 
indicate in writing by letter or facsimile transmission (918-595-6656) 
by July 25, 2003, their intent to appear at such Forum. If no one so 
indicates their intent to attend, no such Forum will be held. Persons 
interested in speaking at the Forum should submit a request to the 
Administrator, Southwestern, in writing by July 25, 2003, their intent 
to appear at such Forum, so that a list of speakers can be developed. 
The chairman may allow others to speak if time permits.
    A transcript of each Forum will be made. Copies of the transcripts 
may be obtained directly from the transcribing service for a fee.
    Written comments on the proposed Robert D. Willis Rate are due on 
or before August 25, 2003. Five copies of the written comments, 
together with a diskette in MS Word or Corel Word Perfect, should be 
submitted to the Administrator, Southwestern, at the above-mentioned 
address for Southwestern's offices.
    Following review of the oral and written comments and the 
information gathered during the course of the proceedings, the 
Administrator will submit the amended Robert D. Willis Rate Proposal, 
and Power Repayment Studies in support of the proposed rate to the 
Secretary of Energy for confirmation and approval on an interim basis, 
and subsequently to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for 
confirmation and approval on a final basis. The FERC will allow the 
public an opportunity to provide written comments on the proposed rate 
increase before making a final decision.

    Dated: June 13, 2003.
Michael A. Deihl,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-15887 Filed 6-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P