[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 61476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23355]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. EA-296]


Application To Export Electric Energy; Rainbow Energy Marketing 
Corporation

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation (Rainbow) has applied for 
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 November 3, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Coal & Power Systems (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: Steven Mintz (Program Office) 202-586-
9506 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 September 27, 2004, the Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the 
Department of Energy (DOE) received an application from Rainbow to 
transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada. Rainbow is a 
North Dakota corporation with its principal place of business located 
in Bismark, North Dakota. Rainbow is a privately owned corporation and 
is a subsidiary of United Energy Corporation. Rainbow does not own or 
control any transmission or distribution assets, nor does it have a 
franchised service area. The electric energy which Rainbow proposes to 
export to Canada would be purchased from electric utilities and Federal 
power marketing agencies within the U.S.
    On October 13, 2004, Rainbow supplemented its application with a 
letter requesting that DOE expedite the processing of this application 
based on Rainbow's assertion that it currently has pending transactions 
that cannot be executed until prior to receipt of an electricity export 
authorization. Accordingly, DOE has shortened the public comment period 
to 15 days.
    Rainbow proposes to arrange for the delivery of electric energy to 
Canada over the existing international transmission facilities owned by 
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, 
Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Company, 
Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric 
Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power Inc., 
Minnkota Power Cooperative, New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk 
Power Corporation, Northern States Power, Vermont Electric Company, and 
Vermont Electric Transmission Company. The construction, operation, 
maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission 
facilities to be utilized by Rainbow, as more fully described in the 
application, has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit 
issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended.
    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 sections 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 DOE on or before the date listed above.
    Comments on the Rainbow application to export electric energy to 
Canada should be clearly marked with Docket EA-296. Additional copies 
are to be filed directly with Joseph M. Wolfe, Rainbow Energy Marketing 
Corporation, Kirkwood Office Tower, 919 South 7th Street, Suite 405, 
Bismarck, ND 58504.
    A final decision will be made on this application after the 
environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by the 
DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the 
reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system.
    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.de.gov. Upon 
reaching the Fossil Energy Home page, select ``Electricity 
Regulation,'' and then ``Pending Procedures'' from the options menus.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2004.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 04-23355 Filed 10-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P