[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8802-8803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-718]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD05-3-000]


Promoting Regional Transmission Planning and Expansion To 
Facilitate Fuel Diversity Including Expanded Uses of Coal-Fired 
Resources; Notice of Technical Conference

February 16, 2005.
    Take notice that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will host 
a technical conference on Friday, May 13, 2005, to identify regional 
solutions to promoting regional transmission planning, expansion and 
enhancement to facilitate fuel diversity including increased 
integration of coal-fired resources to the transmission grid. The 
technical conference will be held at the Charleston Marriott Town 
Center, 200 Lee Street East, Charleston, West

[[Page 8803]]

Virginia, 25301. The technical conference is scheduled to begin at 9 
a.m. and end at approximately 5 p.m. (e.s.t.). The Commissioners will 
attend and participate.
    The goal of the technical conference is to explore possible policy 
changes that would better accommodate, in particular, the increased 
participation of coal-fired energy in wholesale markets.\1\ Topics may 
include:
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    \1\ The Commission has held one conference accommodating 
intermittent resources, including wind, and will be holding 
additional related conferences for those resources, such as the 
upcoming workshop being held in Portland, Oregon.
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     What are the experiences learned from the existing 
regional planning practices in the existing RTOs and ISOs, such as PJM 
and MISO, or other regional bodies such as the Rocky Mountain Area 
Transmission Study working group?
     What transmission infrastructure investments are needed to 
integrate new resources, including coal-fired, and what barriers stand 
in the way of getting them built?
     What actions can the Commission take to assist in intra- 
and inter-regional planning processes?
     What regional planning mechanisms, such as joint 
development of diverse resources at remote sites, or planning bodies 
can be created to promote fuel diversity, including the expansion of 
coal-fired resources?
     What reliability considerations inhibit or promote the 
expansion of transmission facilities to reach coal plants?
    An agenda will be published at a later time.
    Although registration is not a strict requirement, in-person 
attendees are asked to register for the conference on-line by close of 
business on May 10, 2005, at http://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/coal-05-13-form.asp.
    Transcripts of the conference will be immediately available from 
Ace Reporting Company (202-347-3700 or 1-800-336-6646) for a fee. They 
will be available for the public on the Commission's eLibrary system 
seven calendar days after FERC receives the transcript. Additionally, 
Capitol Connection offers the opportunity for remote listening of the 
conference via the Internet or a Phone Bridge Connection for a fee. 
Interested persons should make arrangements as soon as possible by 
visiting the Capitol Connection Web site at http://www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu and clicking on ``FERC.'' If you have any 
questions contact David Reininger or Julia Morelli at the Capitol 
Connection (703-993-3100).
    For more information about the conference, please contact Sarah 
McKinley at 202-502-8004, [email protected].

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E5-718 Filed 2-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P