[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55814-55815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22327]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 405-105]


Exelon Generation Company, LLC; Notice of Application for 
Amendment of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene and 
Protests

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:
    a. Application Type: Temporary variance of minimum flow requirement 
of license.
    b. Project No: 400-105.
    c. Date Filed: July 25, 2012.
    d. Applicant: Exelon Generation Company, LLC.
    e. Name of Project: Conowingo Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: The Conowingo Project is located on the Susquehanna 
River in Harford and Cecil counties in Maryland, and York and Lancaster 
counties in Pennsylvania.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Ms. Kathleen Barr[oacute]n, Senior Vice 
President-Federal Regulatory Affairs and Wholesale Market Policy, 
Exelon, 101 Constitution Avenue NW., Suite 400 East, Washington, DC 
20001, (202) 347-7500, [email protected].
    i. FERC Contact: Ms. Kelly Houff at 202-502-6393, 
[email protected].
    j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and 
protests: September 20, 2012.
    All documents may be filed electronically via the Internet. See, 18 
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web 
site at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. If unable to be 
filed electronically, documents may be paper-filed. To paper-file, an 
original and seven copies should be mailed to: Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 
20426. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, 
without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your name and 
contact information at the end of your comments.
    Please include the project number (P-405-105) on any comments, 
motions, or recommendations filed.
    k. Description of Request: Exelon Generation Company, LLC requests 
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, Exelon requests that they be allowed immediately 
to include plant leakage of about 530 cubic feet per second (cfs) in 
the required minimum flow discharge until September 14, 2012, 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, 
Exelon must provide a minimum flow release (not including leakage) 
below the dam of 5,000 cfs, or inflow (as measured at the USGS gage 
0156000 at Marietta, PA), whichever is less. During the fall period, 
September 15 through November 30, Exelon is 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.
    Exelon is 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, Exelon will conduct 
daily monitoring of the Susquehanna River below the dam for potential 
environmental effects. If any abnormal or adverse conditions are 
observed, Exelon will promptly notify the Maryland Department of 
Natural Resources. In addition, Exelon agrees that during the period of 
the variance, it will not operate more than two units, each rated at 
54,000 horsepower, unless PJM Interconnection LLC directs Exelon to 
operate in peaking mode: (1) As a result of a system emergency; or (2) 
to manage Conowingo pond levels.
    l. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is 
available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, located at 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington, 
DC 20426, or by calling 202-502-8371. This filing may also 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 email of new filings and issuances related to this or 
other pending projects. For assistance, call 866-208-3676 or email 
[email protected], for TTY, call 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, .211, 
.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission 
will consider all protests or other comments 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 comments, protests, or 
motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified 
comment date for the particular application.
    o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) 
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS''; ``PROTESTS'', or 
``MOTION TO INTERVENE'' as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the 
name of the applicant and the project number of the application to 
which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone 
number of the person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise 
comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All 
comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set forth their 
evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 
4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from 
the applicant. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be 
served upon each representative of the applicant specified

[[Page 55815]]

in the particular application. If an intervener 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 all other filings in reference to this application must be 
accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service 
list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 
18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010.

    Dated: September 5, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-22327 Filed 9-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P