[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 20605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8652]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. EA-97-C]


Application To Export Electric Energy; Portland General Electric 
Company

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Portland General Electric Company (``PGE'') has applied for 
renewal of its authority to transmit electric energy from the United 
States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before May 17, 2004.

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: Rosalind Carter (Program Office), 202-
586-67983 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney), 202-586-2793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exports of electricity from the United 
States to a foreign country are regulated and require authorization 
under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 
824a(e)).
    On April 29, 1994, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the 
Department of Energy (DOE) authorized PGE to transmit electric energy 
from the United States to Canada using the international transmission 
facilities of the Bonneville Power Administration. Amendments to this 
authorization were granted on February 9, 1996 (Order EA-97-A), and 
again on March 5, 1998 (Order EA-97-B). Order EA-97-B expired on March 
5, 2003.
    On February 26, 2004, PGE filed an application with FE for renewal 
of its export authority and requested that the maximum rate of 
transmission of its exports be increased from 400 megawatts (MW) to 600 
MW and that the authorization be granted for a 10-year period beginning 
on April 1, 2003.
    PGE asserted that it was not able to apply for a renewal of its 
export authorization before the expiration of Order EA-97-B due to 
numerous factors, including disruptions to routine filing and reporting 
obligations resulting from the bankruptcy reorganization of PGE's 
parent company, Enron. PGE also indicated that it had continued to 
export electricity to Canada after the expiration date of Order EA-97-
B.
    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 Sec. Sec.  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 PGE application to export electric energy to Canada 
should be clearly marked with Docket EA-97-C. Additional copies are to 
be filed directly with Ms. Loretta Mabinton, Assistant General Counsel, 
Portland General Electric Company, 121 SW. Salmon Street, Portland, OR 
97204.
    DOE notes that the circumstances described in this application are 
virtually identical to those for which export authority had previously 
been granted in FE Orders EA-97. Consequently, DOE believes that it has 
adequately satisfied its responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 through the documentation of a 
categorical exclusion in the FE Docket EA-97 proceeding.
    Copies of this application 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 April 5, 2004.
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. 04-8652 Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P