[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 41741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14798]



[[Page 41741]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 405-074]


Susquehanna Electric Company and PECO Energy Power Company; 
Notice of Temporary Variance Request and Soliciting Comments, Motions 
To Intervene, and Protests

July 25, 2007.
    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) and is 
available for public inspection:
    a. Type of Application: Request for Temporary Variance of Minimum 
Flow Requirement.
    b. Project No.: 405-074.
    c. Date Filed: July 23, 2007.
    d. Applicant: Susquehanna Electric Company and PECO Energy Power 
Company.
    e. Name of Project: Conowingo Project.
    f. Location: On the Susquehanna River, in Harford and Cecil 
Counties, Maryland and York and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania. The 
project does not utilize federal or tribal lands.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 4.200.
    h. Applicant Contact: A. Karen Hill, Attorney for Exelon 
Corporation, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20001, (202) 
347-7501.
    i. FERC Contact: Robert H. Grieve, [email protected], (202) 
502-8752.
    j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene and protest: 
August 25, 2007.
    Please include the project number (P-405-074) on any comments or 
motions filed. All documents (original and seven copies) should be 
filed with: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments, 
protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the 
Internet in lieu of paper, see 18 CFR 385.2001 (a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Web site under the ``e-filing'' link. 
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Please include 
the project number (P-405-074) on any comments or motions filed.
    The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all 
intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of 
that document on each person in the official service list for the 
project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the 
Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the 
responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve 
a copy of the document on that resource agency. A copy of any motion to 
intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant 
specified in the particular application.
    k. Description of Request: Susquehanna Electric Company (SEC) and 
PECO Energy Power Company (PECO) request Commission approval for a 
variance of the minimum flow requirement of the project license. Due to 
drought conditions and low river flows in the Susquehanna River, SEC 
and PECO request that they be allowed immediately to include plant 
leakage of about 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the required 
minimum flow discharge until September 14, 2007, or until flow 
conditions improve where the Conowingo Project no longer requires 
leakage be included as part of the minimum flow requirement. According 
to the license, for the period June 1 through September 14, annually, 
SEC and PECO must provide a minimum flow release (not including 
leakage) below the dam of 5,000 cfs, or inflow (as measured at the USGS 
gage at Marietta, PA), whichever is less. During the fall period, 
September 15 through November 30, SEC and PECO are required to release 
a minimum flow of 3,500 cfs not including leakage, or inflow to the 
project whichever is less, as measured at the Marietta gage.
    The SEC and PECO are concerned about the ability of the Conowingo 
Project to maintain an adequate pond level and storage capacity during 
the current low flow period. Maintaining storage is necessary for 
generation and to ensure an adequate water supply for recreational and 
consumptive uses of the Conowingo Reservoir to include operation of 
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Muddy Run Pumped Storage Project. 
Including plant leakage in the minimum flow discharge will contribute 
to the maintenance of these project water uses during this low flow 
period. During the period of the minimum flow variance, SEC and PECO 
will conduct daily monitoring of the Susquehanna River below the 
project for potential environmental effects. If any abnormal or adverse 
conditions are observed, SEC and PECO will promptly notify the Maryland 
Department of Natural Resources.
    l. Locations of the Application: Copies of this filing are on file 
with the Commission and are available for public inspection and 
reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 
First St., NE, Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. This filing may be viewed 
on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the 
``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three 
digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also 
register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to 
be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or 
other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail 
[email protected] or for TTY (202) 502-8659. A copy is also 
available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item (h) 
above.
    m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing 
list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.
    n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit 
comments, a protest or a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210. 
385.211, and 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, 
the Commission will consider all protests filed, but only those who 
file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules 
may become a party to the proceeding. Any protests or motions to 
intervene must be received on or before the specified deadline date for 
the particular application.
    o. Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title 
``COMMENTS'', ``PROTEST'', or MOTION TO INTERVENE'', as applicable, and 
the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing 
refers.
    p. Agency Comments: Federal, state, and local agencies are invited 
to file comments on the described application. A copy of the 
application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If 
an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing 
comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an 
agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives.
    q. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed 
electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the ``e-filing'' link.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-14798 Filed 7-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P