[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51034-51035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17105]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Southwestern Power Administration


Sam Rayburn Dam Power Rate

AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of public review and comment.

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SUMMARY: The Administrator, Southwestern Power Administration 
(Southwestern), has prepared Current and Revised 2005 Power Repayment 
Studies that show the need for an increase in annual revenues to meet 
cost recovery criteria. Such increased revenues are required due to 
significant increases in expected U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 
generation investment and slight increases in operations and 
maintenance expenses at the project. The Administrator has developed a 
proposed Sam Rayburn Dam rate schedule, which is supported by a power 
repayment study, to recover the required revenues. Beginning January 1, 
2006, the proposed rate would increase annual revenues 12 percent from 
$2,513,724 to $2,816,064.

DATES: The consultation and comment period will begin on the date of 
publication of this Federal Register notice and will end November 28, 
2005.
    1. Public Information Forum--September 13, 2005, 9 a.m. central 
time, Tulsa, OK.
    2. Public Comment Forum--October 13, 2005, 9 a.m. central time, 
Tulsa, OK.

ADDRESSES: If forums are requested, they will be held in Southwestern's 
offices, Williams Center Tower I, One West Third Street, Tulsa, 
Oklahoma 74103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, (918) 595-6696, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Energy was created by 
an Act of the U.S. Congress, in the Department of Energy Organization 
Act, Pub. L. 95-91, dated August 4, 1977. Southwestern's power 
marketing activities were transferred from the Department of the 
Interior to the Department of Energy, effective October 1, 1977. 
Guidelines for preparation of power repayment studies are included in 
DOE Order No. RA 6120.2 entitled Power Marketing Administration 
Financial Reporting. Procedures for Public Participation in Power and 
Transmission Rate Adjustments of the Power Marketing Administrations 
are found at Title 10, part 903, Subpart A of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR part 903). Procedures for the confirmation and 
approval of rates for the Federal Power Marketing Administrations are 
found at title 18, part 300, Subpart L of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (18 CFR part 300).
    Southwestern markets power from 24 multi-purpose reservoir 
projects, with hydroelectric power facilities constructed and operated 
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These projects are located in the 
states of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Southwestern's 
marketing area includes these States as well as Kansas and Louisiana. 
The costs associated with the hydropower facilities of 22 of the 24

[[Page 51035]]

projects are repaid via revenues received under the Integrated System 
rates, as are Southwestern's transmission facilities that consist of 
1,380 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, 24 substations, and 46 
microwave and VHF radio sites. Costs associated with the Robert D. 
Willis and Sam Rayburn Dams, two projects that are isolated 
hydraulically, electrically, and financially from the Integrated System 
are repaid by separate rate schedules. The Sam Rayburn Dam project is 
addressed in this notice.
    Following Department of Energy guidelines, the Administrator, 
Southwestern, prepared a Current Power Repayment study using the 
existing Sam Rayburn Dam rate. The Study indicates that Southwestern's 
legal requirement to repay the investment in the power generating 
facility for power and energy marketed by Southwestern will not be met 
without an increase in revenues. The need for increased revenues is due 
to increases in expected generation investment and operation and 
maintenance power-related expenses. The Revised Power Repayment Study 
shows that an increase in annual revenue of $302,364 (12 percent 
increase), beginning January 1, 2006, is needed to satisfy repayment 
criteria.
    Opportunity is presented for Southwestern customers and other 
interested parties to receive copies of the Sam Rayburn Dam Power 
Repayment Studies and the proposed rate schedule. Persons desiring a 
copy of the Power Repayment Data Package with the proposed Rate 
Schedule should submit a request to the Director, Rates and Repayment, 
Office of Corporate Operations, Southwestern Power Administration, One 
West Third Street, Tulsa, OK 74103, (918) 595-6673 or via email to 
[email protected].
    A Public Information Forum is scheduled on September 13, 2005, to 
explain to customers and interested parties the proposed rate and 
supporting studies. The proceeding will be transcribed, if held. A 
chairman, who will be responsible for orderly procedure, will conduct 
the Forum. Questions concerning the rate, studies, and information 
presented at the Forum will be answered, to the extent possible, at the 
Forum. Questions not answered at the Forum will be answered in writing. 
However, questions involving voluminous data contained in 
Southwestern's records may best be answered by consultation and review 
of pertinent records at Southwestern's offices.
    Persons interested in attending the Public Information Forum should 
so indicate in writing by letter, email or facsimile transmission (918-
595-6656) by September 6, 2005, their intent to appear at such Forum. 
Should no one indicate an intent to attend by the above-cited deadline, 
no such Forum will be held.
    A Public Comment Forum is scheduled for October 13, 2005, at which 
interested persons may submit written comments or make oral 
presentations of their views and comments related to the rate proposal. 
The proceeding will be transcribed, if held. A chairman, who will be 
responsible for orderly procedure, will conduct the Forum. 
Southwestern's representatives will be present, and they and the 
chairman may ask questions of the speakers.
    Persons interested in attending the Public Comment Forum should so 
indicate in writing by letter or facsimile transmission (918-595-6656) 
by October 3, 2005, their intent to appear at such Forum. Should no one 
so indicate an intent to attend by the above-cited deadline, no such 
Forum will be held. Persons interested in speaking at the Forum should 
submit a request in writing by October 3, 2005, to the Administrator, 
Southwestern, indicated their intent to appear at such Forum, so that a 
list of speakers can be developed. The chairman may allow others to 
speak if time permits.
    A transcript of each Forum will be made. Copies of the transcripts 
may be obtained directly from the transcribing service for a fee. 
Copies of all documents introduced will also be available from the 
transcribing service for a fee.
    Written comments on the proposed Sam Rayburn Dam Rate are due on or 
before November 28, 2005. Five copies of the written comments, together 
with a diskette in MS Word or Corel Word Perfect, should be submitted 
to Forrest E. Reeves, Assistant Administrator, Southwestern Power 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.
    Following review of the oral and written comments and the 
information gathered during the course of the proceedings, the 
Administrator will submit the final Sam Rayburn Dam Proposal, and Power 
Repayment Studies in support of the proposed rate to the Deputy 
Secretary of Energy for confirmation and approval on an interim basis, 
and subsequently to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for 
confirmation and approval on a final basis. The FERC will allow the 
public an opportunity to provide written comments on the proposed rate 
increase before making a final decision.

    Dated: August 15, 2005.
Michael A. Deihl,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-17105 Filed 8-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P