[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52187-52188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22303]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. PP-66-1]


Application to Transfer Presidential Permit; Citizens 
Communications Company and Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc.

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Citizens Communications Company (Citizens) and Vermont 
Electric Power Company, Inc. (VELCO) have jointly applied to transfer 
Presidential Permit PP-66 from Citizens to VELCO.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before October 2, 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: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-2793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The construction, operation, maintenance, 
and connection of facilities at the international border of the United 
States for the transmission of electric energy between the United 
States and a foreign country is prohibited in the absence of a 
Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 10485, as 
amended by EO 12038. Existing Presidential permits are not transferable 
or assignable. However, in the event of

[[Page 52188]]

a proposed voluntary transfer of physical facilities, in accordance 
with the regulations at 10 CFR 205.323, the existing holder of a permit 
and the transferee are required to file joint application for transfer 
with the Department of Energy (DOE) that includes a statement of 
reasons for the transfer.
    On June 21, 1979, DOE issued Presidential Permit PP-66 to Citizens 
Utilities Company (now Citizens Communications Company) for one 
120,000-volt (120-kV) electric transmission line that crosses the 
United States border with Canada near Derby Line, Vermont, and 
interconnects with similar transmission facilities in Canada owned by 
Hydro Quebec.
    On August 21, 2003, Citizens and VELCO (collectively, the 
``Applicants'') jointly filed an application with DOE to transfer 
Presidential Permit PP-66 from Citizens to VELCO. VELCO is a Vermont 
corporation comprised of several electric utilities operating in 
Vermont (as further described in the application). VELCO currently owns 
and operates most of the bulk transmission facilities in Vermont, other 
than those currently owned by Citizens. VELCO proposes to purchase from 
Citizens transmission facilities in northern Vermont, including the 
international transmission facilities that are the subject of PP-66.
    In this application, the Applicants state that there will be no 
physical changes to the existing permitted facilities.
    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 section 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 joint application to transfer Presidential Permit 
PP-66 from Citizens to VELCO should be clearly marked with Docket PP-
66-1. Additional copies are to be filed directly with L. Russell 
Mitten, Esq., VP, General Counsel, Citizens Communications Company, 3 
High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905; Mr. Gary Parker, V.P., Director of 
Planning, Engineering, Construction and Transmission, Vermont Electric 
Power Company, Inc., 366 Pinnacle Ridge Road, Rutland, VT 05701; and 
Kenneth G. Hurwitz, Esq., Haynes and Boone, LLP, 550 11th Street, NW, 
Suite 650, Washington, DC 20004-1314; and John H. Marshall, Esq., Downs 
Rachlin Martin PLLC, 90 Prospect Street, P.O. Box 99, St. Johnsbury, VT 
05819-0099.
    Before a Presidential permit may be issued or amended, the DOE must 
determine that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the 
reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. In addition, DOE 
must consider the environmental impacts of the proposed action (i.e., 
granting the Presidential permit with any conditions and limitations, 
or denying it) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969. DOE also must obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State 
and the Secretary of Defense before taking final action on a 
Presidential permit application.
    Copies of these applications 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 
Regulation,'' and then ``Pending Proceedings'' from the options menus.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2003.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 03-22303 Filed 8-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P