[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 50561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21401]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 35-27713; 70-10083]


Hydro-Quebec, et al.; Order Granting Limited Approval to 
Application of Hydro Quebec, et al.

    On July 30, 2003, we issued notice of an application by Hydro-
Quebec and certain of its subsidiaries under sections 9(a)(2) and 10 of 
the Act to acquire an interest in Cross-Sound Cable Company (New York) 
LLC (``CSC NY''). See Holding Co. Act Release 27703 (July 30, 2003.\1\ 
The application also seeks exemptions for Hydro-Quebec and certain of 
its subsidiaries under sections 3(a)(5) and 3(a)(1) of the Act. As 
described in the notice, CSNY is constructing a transmission line (the 
``Cross Sound Cable'') between New York and Connecticut. The 
transmission line has not yet entered into commercial operation. The 
notice period for filing comments or requests for hearing with respect 
to the application runs through August 25, 2003.
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    \1\ Specifically, Hydro-Qu[eacute]bec (``HQ''), 75 Ren[eacute]-
L[eacute]vesque Blvd. West, Montr[eacute]al, Qu[eacute]bec H2Z 1A4 
Canada, a corporation wholly owned by the government of 
Qu[eacute]bec and a public-utility holding company that claims 
exemption under the Act under rule 10, and its subsidiaries, 
TransEnergie HQ, Inc. (``TEI''), 740 rue N[ocirc]tre-Dame Ouest, 
Bureau 800, Montr[eacute]al, Qu[eacute]bec, H3C 3X6 Canada, a 
Canadian corporation, TransEnergie U.S. Ltd. (``TEUS''), a Delaware 
corporation and Cross-Sound Cable Company (New York), LLC (``CSC 
NY''), a New York limited liability company, both located at 110 
Turnpike Road, Westborough, MA 01581 (collectively, ``Applicants'') 
have filed an application under sections 3(a)(1), 3(a)(5), 9(a)(2) 
and 10 of the Act in connection with a proposed acquisition of 
interests in CSC NY (the ``Transaction'').
    Applicants request an order under sections 9(a)(2) and 10 of the 
Act authorizing HQ through TEI and TEUS to acquire interests in CSC 
NY; an order exempting TEUS from registration under section 3(a)(1); 
and an order exempting HQ from registration under section 3(a)(5).
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    On August 14, 2003, in response to a sudden black-out affecting 
large parts of the eastern and midwestern sections of the United 
States, the Department of Energy issued an order pursuant to section 
202(c) of the Federal Power Act requiring that the Cross Sound Cable be 
operated to, among other things, ``alleviate the current disruptions in 
electric transmission service.'' Department of Energy Order No. 202-03-
1 (Aug. 14, 2003) (``DOE Order'').
    Based upon these circumstances, we hereby grant the application of 
Hydro-Quebec et al. for the limited purpose of complying with the DOE 
Order.\2\ Our grant of the application for these limited purposes is 
without prejudice to our ability to take any action with respect to 
this Order or the application following the conclusion of the notice 
period.
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    \2\ The Commission has, in the past, issued orders in response 
to crises in the energy sector while at the same time retaining its 
authority to reconsider the matter at an appropriate time. See Union 
Electric Co., Holding Co. Act Release No. 18368 (Apr. 10, 1974).
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    The necessity for immediate action of the Commission does not 
permit prior notice of the Commission's action. CF. Holding Co. Act 
Release No. 35-27502 (Mar. 18, 2002).
    Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to sections 3, 9(a)(2), 10 and 
20 of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 that the 
application of Hydro-Quebec et al. is granted for the limited purpose 
of complying with Department of Energy Order 202-03-1.

    By the Commission.

Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-21401 Filed 8-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P