[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 47 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 10733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5259]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. EL09-29-000; Docket No. EL09-30-000]


NorthWestern Corporation; Mountain States Transmission Intertie, 
LLC, NorthWestern Corporation; Supplemental Notice of Technical 
Conference

March 5, 2009.
    By notice issued on February 25, 2009, Commission Staff established 
an informal technical conference in the above-referenced proceedings to 
be held on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 1 p.m. (EDT), at the offices of 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426 (February 25 Notice).
    The technical conference will afford Commission Staff and 
interested persons an opportunity to informally discuss issues 
associated with the Mountain States Transmission Intertie, LLC (MSTI) 
and Collector Projects proposed in the above-mentioned dockets. As 
indicated in the February 25 Notice, Commission Staff is now providing 
further details relating to the issues to be discussed at the 
conference.\1\
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    \1\ On March 3, 2009, NorthWestern filed an answer to protests 
in Docket Nos. EL09-29-000 and EL09-30-000. We note that 
NorthWestern answered some of the protestors' and Staff's concerns 
in that answer; however, Staff would still like to further discuss 
the topics listed in the instant notice, even where there is overlap 
with the answers already provided.
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Rates and Service on the MSTI and Collector Projects

     Explain the proposed rate structures for the Collector 
Project and for MSTI.
     Explain how transmission rates will be calculated for 
transmission service on the NorthWestern Corporation (Northwestern) 
system in relation to transmission service on the Collector Project 
and/or MSTI, and explain whether the proposals will result in rate 
pancaking (i.e., separate rates for service on each entity or segment) 
or a form of ``And'' pricing.
     What cost-based alternatives to the MSTI project, not 
affiliated with NorthWestern, do customers have in the relevant 
geographic area?
     Identify any benefits to customers (other than the MSTI 
customers) associated with closing the 500kV loop in the Pacific 
Northwest. Describe how those benefits, if any, are reflected in the 
``negotiated'' rates to MSTI customers.

Distinctions Between the MSTI and Collector Projects

     Setting aside the statement that MSTI is a stand-alone 
entity, what distinguishes the Collector Project from MSTI?
     Explain how and by whom service on MSTI will be scheduled, 
generation using the line will be dispatched, and the line will be 
maintained.
     Discuss the affiliation between NorthWestern and MSTI and 
distinguish it from the affiliate concerns addressed in Chinook Power 
Transmission, LLC, 126 FERC ] 61,134 (2009).

Open Season Issues

     To the extent the Collector Project or MSTI are sized with 
greater capacity than is requested in the open season, who will pay for 
the excess capacity? What rights will be associated with such 
additional payments? If projects are sized at less than the capacity 
requested in the open season, how will requests for capacity be 
rationed?
     Will customers have exit rights if the offered capacity is 
greater than or less than what they requested in the open season? If 
so, what are those exit rights? Are there any penalties for 
withdrawing?
     Explain whether and under what circumstances NorthWestern 
will permit customers to opt out of the Collector cluster study.
     Describe NorthWestern's pre-open season industry interest 
contact process and the results of those contacts.

Queue Issues

     Provide details about the current transmission service 
requests in NorthWestern's queue, including, but not limited to, the 
amount, when and how they were submitted, the terms of the requests, 
and any commitments made by those customers or NorthWestern with 
respect to those transmission service requests.
     Explain the reasoning for the preference afforded to MSTI 
customers that are currently in NorthWestern's queue, and whether those 
customers have entered into binding agreements to date.

System Configuration and Siting Issues

     Describe the physical configuration of the Collector and 
MSTI Projects and how they are interconnected to the NorthWestern 
system, and each other.
     Describe the paths and sources of energy that may flow 
onto or from the Collector Project and MSTI through NorthWestern's 
existing system or from other systems.
     Describe any filings related to the Collector and MSTI 
Projects that have thus far been filed with Montana or Idaho state 
agencies.
     Has NorthWestern or MSTI obtained rights to eminent domain 
through all or any part of the MSTI project area?

Requested Waivers

     Explain the basis for and justification supporting the 
requests for waivers for the Collector Project, and specifically the 
waiver of the requirement to file unexecuted service agreements with 
the Commission and the waiver of the requirement regarding posting of 
transmission service request studies information.
    The Petitioners \2\ should be prepared to address these issues, as 
well as the concerns raised in the protests or by interested persons at 
the technical conference. Petitioners are also invited to provide 
additional support for the filings.
    All interested persons are permitted to attend. For further 
information please contact either Timothy Duggan at (202) 502-8326 or 
e-mail [email protected], or Katie Detweiler at (202) 502-6426 or 
e-mail [email protected].
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    \2\ Petitioners are NorthWestern Corporation and Mountain States 
Transmission Intertie, LLC.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E9-5259 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P