[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 150 (Thursday, August 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47180-47181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19777]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division--2021 Power 
Marketing Initiative Proposal

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of re-opening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (Western), Upper Great 
Plains Region, a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of 
Energy (DOE) published the proposed 2021 Power Marketing Initiative 
(2021 PMI) in the Federal Register on March 4, 2011. The proposed 2021 
PMI provides the basis for marketing the long-term firm hydroelectric 
resources of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division 
(P-SMBP--ED) beyond December 31, 2020, when Western's Firm Electric 
Service contracts associated with the current marketing plan will 
expire. The proposed 2021 PMI extends the current P-SMBP--ED marketing 
plan, with amendments to the contract term and resource pools marketing 
plan principles. The comment period for the proposed 2021 PMI ended on 
May 4, 2011. Western received a comment requesting additional time to 
supplement comments on the proposed 2021 PMI. This Federal Register 
notice re-opens the written comment period for the proposed 2021 PMI 
until September 6, 2011.

DATES: Entities interested in commenting on the proposed 2021 PMI must 
submit written comments to Western's Upper Great Plains Regional 
Office. Western must receive written comments by 4 p.m., M.D.T., on 
September 6, 2011. Western reserves the right to not consider any 
comments that are received after the prescribed date and time.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments regarding the proposed 2021 PMI to 
Robert J. Harris, Regional Manager, Upper Great Plains Region, Western 
Area Power Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-
1266. Comments may also be faxed to (406) 255-2900 or e-mailed to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John A. Pankratz, Public Utilities 
Specialist, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101-1266, 
telephone (406) 255-2932, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western initiated 2021 PMI discussions with 
P-SMBP--ED firm power customers in November 2010 by hosting meetings, 
including one conference call meeting, throughout the Upper Great 
Plains Region. The meetings provided all firm power customers the 
opportunity to review current marketing plan principles and provide 
informal input to Western for consideration in the 2021 PMI proposal. 
Western sent a letter to all firm power customers inviting them to 
attend these meetings. In addition, due to the special and unique 
relationship between the United States and tribal governments, Western 
initiated government-to-government consultation by sending a certified 
letter to each tribal firm power customer, inviting them to attend 
Native American-focused meetings. As part of,

[[Page 47181]]

and in order to facilitate ongoing consultation, Western hosted Native 
American-focused meetings, including one conference call meeting, 
throughout the Upper Great Plains Region.
    The proposed 2021 PMI (76 FR 12104) was published in the Federal 
Register on March 4, 2011. Western mailed the proposed 2021 PMI Federal 
Register notice to all firm power customers and other interested 
parties on March 7, 2011. As part of ongoing government-to-government 
consultation, Western representatives also contacted tribal firm power 
customers directly to discuss the proposed 2021 PMI Federal Register 
notice, including the information and comment forum dates and times. 
Western held public information and comment forums on April 13, 14, and 
20, 2011, to accept oral and written comments on the proposed 2021 PMI. 
The proposed 2021 PMI comment period ended on May 4, 2011.
    Western received a comment on May 4, 2011, from a Native American 
tribe requesting further government-to-government consultation and 
additional time to provide supplemental comments on the proposed 2021 
PMI.
    Western is granting the request for additional time for all 
entities to provide new and or supplemental comments and by this 
Federal Register notice is re-opening the comment period for the 
proposed 2021 PMI until 4 p.m. M.D.T., on September 6, 2011. Western 
deems any comments submitted between May 4, 2011, and September 6, 2011 
to be timely submitted.

    Dated: July 27, 2011.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-19777 Filed 8-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P