[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60911-60912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22909]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER AND CONSERVATION PLANNING COUNCIL


Northwest Power and Conservation Planning Council Power Plan 
Draft Amendments

AGENCY: Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning 
Council (Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Council).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Fifth Northwest Conservation 
and Electric Power Plan.

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

SUMMARY: Following the mandate set out in the Pacific Northwest 
Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 (U.S.C. 839 et 
seq.) (the Act), in April 1983 the Council adopted a regional power 
plan, the Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan (the plan). 
The plan was completely amended in 1986. Although the Act requires the 
Council to review the plan at least every five years, the Council has 
taken up certain parts of the plan more often, to respond to ongoing 
changes in the adequacy,

[[Page 60912]]

efficiency, reliability and affordability of electric power in the 
region and to incorporate the most recent technology and analysis. The 
Council amended the plan in 1989 by publishing the 1989 Supplement to 
the 1986 Power Plan, updating certain technical data. In 1991 and 1998, 
the Council adopted complete amendments of the plan. Review of the plan 
began in 2002 and in September 2004, the Council released for public 
comment the Draft Fifth Power Plan. Hearings in each of the four 
Northwest States will be scheduled during the comment period, as 
required by the Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With the draft Fifth Power Plan, as with the 
First Power Plan, the Council responds to the impacts of a regional 
electric power crisis. The draft plan builds on the lessons of the 
Western electricity crisis of 2000 and 2001 and recommends actions the 
Council believes will help the region reduce the risks of an uncertain 
future and secure an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable 
power supply.
    The draft plan meets the requirements of the Act, which specifies 
the components the plan is to have. The Act requires the plan to 
include among other elements, an energy conservation program, a 
recommendation for research and development; a methodology for 
determining quantifiable environmental costs and benefits; a 20-year 
demand forecast; a forecast of power resources that the Bonneville 
Power Administration will need to meet its obligations; an analysis of 
reserve and reserve reliability requirements; and a surcharge 
methodology. The plan also includes the Council's Columbia River Basin 
Fish and Wildlife Program, developed pursuant to other procedural 
requirements under the Act.
    The Council will give notice of opportunities for oral comment at 
hearings throughout the Northwest both in mailed notices and on its Web 
site. Close of comment for written comments is 5 p.m. Friday, November 
19, 2004. The Council also may hold consultations on the draft plan 
during the public comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like a copy of the Draft 
Fifth Power Plan, please contact the Council's central office and ask 
for Council Document 2004-12. The Council's address is 851 SW., Sixth 
Avenue, Suite 1100, Portland, Oregon 97204. The Council's telephone 
numbers are 503-222-5161, and 800-452-5161; the Council's FAX is 503-
820-2370. The Draft Fifth Power Plan is also found on the Council's Web 
site: http://www.nwcouncil.org.
    If you are submitting comments on the draft plan, please note 
prominently that you are commenting on Council Document 2004-12. 
Comments may be submitted by mail, by facsimile transmission (FAX), or 
by electronic mail at: [email protected].

Stephen L. Crow,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 04-22909 Filed 10-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7905-01-P