[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 60703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17094]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. EA-294-A]


Application To Export Electric Energy; TexMex Energy, LLC

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: TexMex Energy, LLC (TexMex) has applied to renew its 
authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Mexico pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene must be submitted on 
or before November 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests or requests to intervene should be 
addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy 
Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX 202-586-5860).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 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 August 25, 2004, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued Order No. 
EA-294 authorizing TexMex to transmit electric energy from the United 
States to Mexico for a two-year term. That authorization expired on 
August 25, 2006.
    On September 8, 2006, TexMex filed an application with DOE for 
renewal of the export authority contained in Order No. EA-294. TexMex 
proposes to export electric energy to Mexico and to arrange for the 
delivery of those exports over the international transmission 
facilities presently owned by Central Power and Light Company, 
Sharyland Utilities, and Comision Federal de Electricidad, the national 
electric utility of Mexico.
    In its application TexMex states, without further explanation, that 
it was unable to file its renewal application prior to the expiration 
of its current export authorization on August 25, 2006. TexMex requests 
that its renewal request be granted as soon as possible.
    DOE notes that TexMex did not utilize its previous authority to 
export electricity to Mexico during the two-year term of Order No. EA-
294, as verified by quarterly reports filed with DOE by TexMex and as 
stated in their current renewal application. TexMex's previous 
authorization permitted an application for renewal to be filed within 
six months prior to expiration of its authorization on August 25, 2006. 
Renewal applications must be filed at least sixty days prior to 
expiration in order to provide DOE with sufficient time to process an 
application and provide adequate opportunity for public comment.
    TexMex has not demonstrated sufficient good cause for DOE to 
expedite the processing of its renewal application by the use of a 
shortened public comment period. Therefore, in this notice, DOE has 
retained the normal thirty-day public comment period for the filing of 
comments, protests, or petitions to intervene.
    DOE notes that TexMex shall have no authority to export electricity 
to Mexico until the conclusion of this proceeding and the issuance of 
another order granting authority to export.
    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 TexMex application to export electric energy to 
Mexico should be clearly marked with Docket EA-294-A. Additional copies 
are to be filed directly with Guillermo Gonzalez G., c/o Protama S.A. 
de C.V., Tonala 44, Col. Roma, 06700 Mexico D.F., Mexico and Douglas F. 
John, John & Hengerer, 1200 12th Street, NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 
20036-3013.
    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 (NEPA), and a determination is made by 
the DOE on whether the proposed action would 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 program's Web site at http://www.oe.energy.gov/permitting/electricity_imports_exports.htm.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2006.
Anthony J. Como,
Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and 
Energy Reliability.
 [FR Doc. E6-17094 Filed 10-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P