[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 69619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28175]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Draft Recommendations of Joint Outreach Team

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of draft recommendations of Western/DOE 
Joint Outreach Team.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power 
marketing administration (PMA) of the Department of Energy (DOE), is 
publishing the draft recommendations of the Western/DOE Joint Outreach 
Team (JOT) for review and comment by Western's customers, Tribes, 
stakeholders, and the public at large.

DATES: To ensure consideration, all comments should be received by 
Western at the address below on or before 4 p.m. MST January 22, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Joint Outreach Team at: 
[email protected]. Comments may also be delivered by certified mail or 
commercial mail to: Anita J. Decker, Acting Administrator, Western Area 
Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213 or fax 
to (720) 962-7059.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information please contact 
Ronald E. Moulton, Transmission Services Manager, Western Area Power 
Administration, or Jennifer DeCesaro, Special Advisor, Renewable Energy 
and Transmission, Department of Energy, via email at [email protected]. This 
notice is also available on Western's Web site at http://ww2.wapa.gov/sites/western/about/Pages/Definingfuture.aspx.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western's mission is to market and deliver 
reliable, cost-based Federal hydroelectric power and related services 
to its customers. The Federal government, through four Power Marketing 
Administrations (PMAs), owns and operates approximately 33,730 miles of 
transmission lines, overlaying approximately 42 percent of the 
continental United States. Of that total, Western owns approximately 
17,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines with a footprint 
covering 15 states in the central and western U.S. To facilitate the 
transition of America's transmission system to a more resilient and 
flexible grid while reducing costs to consumers, Western and DOE formed 
the JOT. The team conducted a series of informational webinars, as well 
as stakeholder outreach workshops in five locations and listening 
sessions in six locations in Western's service territory with over 500 
participants registering to provide input on the process and 
recommendations. The information gathered, combined with written 
stakeholder comments and the expertise of Western and DOE subject 
matter experts, informed the development of the draft recommendations 
that are now being published for public comment. Development of the 
final recommendations will be informed by comments received in response 
to this Notice.
    The draft recommendations are available for review and comment at 
Western's Web site at http://ww2.wapa.gov/sites/western/about/Pages/Definingfuture.aspx. Western and DOE seek comment on the substance of 
the recommendations, whether any or all of the individual 
recommendations should be pursued and prioritization of the various 
actions that may be implemented or further pursued. Comments submitted 
in response to this notice should include the following information:
    1. Name and general description of the entity submitting the 
comment.
    2. Name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of 
the entity's primary contact.
    3. Identification of any specific recommendation the comment 
references.

Environmental Compliance

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and the DOE 
NEPA Implementing Procedures and Guidelines (10 CFR part 1021), Western 
has determined that the publication of the draft recommendations and 
solicitation of comments is categorically excluded from further NEPA 
analysis. Future actions under this authority will undergo appropriate 
NEPA analysis.

    Dated: November 13, 2012.
Anita J. Decker,
Acting Administrator, Western Area Power Administration.

Lauren Azar,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-28175 Filed 11-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P