[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62627-62629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24601]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Southwestern Power Administration


Sam Rayburn Dam Rate

AGENCY: Southwestern Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Rate Order.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary has approved 
and placed into effect on an interim basis Rate Order No. SWPA-67, 
which increases the power rate for the Sam Rayburn Dam (Rayburn) 
project pursuant to the Rayburn rate schedule (SRD-13) to supersede the 
existing rate schedule.

DATES: The effective period for the rate schedule specified in Rate 
Order No. SWPA-67 is October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James K. McDonald, Vice President 
for Corporate Operations/Chief Operating Officer, Southwestern Power 
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, One West Third Street, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103, (918) 595-6690 (office), (918) 595-6656 (fax), 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rate Order No. SWPA-67, which has been 
approved and placed into effect on an interim basis, increases the 
power rate for the Rayburn project pursuant to the following rate 
schedule:

    Rate Schedule SRD-13, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy 
Sold to Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Contract No. DE-
PM75-92SW00215)

The rate schedule supersedes the existing rate schedule shown below:

    Rate Schedule SRD-08, Wholesale Rates for Hydro Power and Energy 
Sold to Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Contract No. DE-
PM75-92SW00215) (superseded by SRD-13)

Southwestern Power Administration's (Southwestern) Administrator has 
determined, based on the 2013 Rayburn Current Power Repayment Study, 
that existing rates will not satisfy cost recovery criteria specified 
in Department of Energy Order No. RA 6120.2 and Section 5 of the Flood 
Control Act of 1944. The finalized 2013 Rayburn Revised Power Repayment 
Studies (PRSs) indicate that an increase in annual revenue of $280,248, 
or 7.1 percent, beginning October 1, 2013, will satisfy cost recovery 
criteria for the Rayburn project. The proposed Rayburn rate schedule 
would increase annual revenues from $3,949,872 to $4,230,120, to 
recover increased U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps) investments and 
replacements in the hydroelectric generating facility and increased 
operations and maintenance costs.
    The Administrator has followed Title 10, part 903 subpart A, of the 
Code of Federal Regulations, ``Procedures for Public Participation in 
Power and Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions'' in connection 
with the proposed rate schedule. On August 6, 2013, Southwestern 
published notice in the Federal Register, (78 FR 47695), of the 
proposed rate increase for the Rayburn project. Southwestern provided a 
30-day comment period as an opportunity for customers and other 
interested members of the public to review and comment on the proposed 
rate increase. Southwestern did not hold the combined Public 
Information and Comment Forum (Forum) because Southwestern did not 
receive any requests to hold the Forum. One comment was received from 
Gillis, Borchardt and Barthel, LLP, on behalf of the Sam Rayburn Dam 
Electric Cooperative, Inc., which stated no objection to the proposed 
rate adjustment.
    Information regarding this rate proposal, including studies and 
other supporting material, is available for public review and comment 
in the offices of Southwestern Power Administration, Williams Center 
Tower I, One West Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103. Following review 
of Southwestern's proposal within the Department of Energy, I hereby 
approve Rate Order No. SWPA-67 which increases the existing Sam Rayburn 
Dam rate to $4,230,120 per year for the period October 1, 2013 through 
September 30, 2017. Rate Order No. SWPA-67 will be submitted to FERC 
for confirmation and approval on a final basis.
    The Administrative Procedure Act requires that publication of a 
substantive rule be made not less than 30 days before its effective 
date, except, in relevant part, if the agency has good cause to waive 
the delay requirement (5 U.S.C. 553(d)). Southwestern finds good cause 
to waive the 30-day delay in effective date, placing the rates in 
effect on an interim basis starting October 1, 2013, because the 
current rate is insufficient to recover costs as required by statute; 
no change to the standard October 1 date of implementation is being 
made; and no comments were received and no revisions were made to the 
proposed rates.

    Dated: September 30, 2013.
Daniel Poneman,
Deputy Secretary.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF ENERGY

In the matter of: Southwestern Power Administration Sam Rayburn Dam 
Project Rate Rate Order No. SWPA-67

ORDER CONFIRMING, APPROVING AND PLACING INCREASED POWER RATE SCHEDULE 
IN EFFECT ON AN INTERIM BASIS

    Pursuant to Sections 302(a) and 301(b) of the Department of 
Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, the functions of the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Federal Power Commission under 
Section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944, 16 U.S.C. 825s, relating 
to the Southwestern Power Administration (Southwestern) were 
transferred to and vested in the Secretary of Energy. By Delegation 
Order No. 00-037.00, the Secretary of Energy delegated to the 
Administrator of Southwestern the authority to develop power and 
transmission rates, delegated to the Deputy Secretary of the

[[Page 62628]]

Department of Energy the authority to confirm, approve, and place in 
effect such rates on an interim basis, and delegated to the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to confirm and 
approve on a final basis or to disapprove rates developed by the 
Administrator under the delegation. Pursuant to delegated authority, 
the Deputy Secretary issued this interim rate order.

BACKGROUND

    The Sam Rayburn Dam (Rayburn) is located on the Angelina River 
in the State of Texas in the Neches River Basin. Since the beginning 
of its operation in 1965, it has been marketed as an isolated 
project, under contract with Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, 
Inc. (SRDEC) (Contract No. DE-PM75-92SW00215).
    FERC confirmation and approval of the current Rayburn rate 
schedule was provided in FERC Docket No. EF09-4021-000 issued on 
March 30, 2009, (126 FERC ] 62224) effective for the period January 
1, 2009, through September 30, 2012. The rate was extended by the 
Deputy Secretary of Energy for the period October 1, 2012 through 
September 30, 2013 (77 FR 67813, November 14, 2012), and FERC was 
notified of the extension (Docket No. EF13-2-000).

DISCUSSION

    Southwestern prepared a 2013 Current Power Repayment Study (PRS) 
which indicated that the existing rate would not satisfy present 
financial criteria regarding repayment of investment within a 50-
year period due to increased U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) 
investments, replacements and operations and maintenance expenses in 
the hydroelectric generating facilities. The Revised PRS indicated 
the need for a 7.1 percent revenue increase. These preliminary 
results, which presented the basis for the proposed revenue 
increase, were provided to the customers for their review prior to 
the formal process.
    The final 2013 Revised PRS indicates that an increase in annual 
revenues of $280,248 (7.1 percent) is necessary beginning October 1, 
2013, to accomplish repayment in the required number of years. 
Accordingly, Southwestern has prepared a proposed rate schedule 
based on the additional revenue requirement to ensure repayment.
    Southwestern conducted the rate adjustment proceeding in 
accordance with Title 10, part 903, subpart A of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, ``Procedures for Public Participation in Power and 
Transmission Rate Adjustments and Extensions.'' More specifically, 
opportunities for public review and comment during a 30-day period 
on the proposed Rayburn power rate were announced by a Federal 
Register notice published on August 6, 2013 (78 FR 47695). The 
combined Public Information and Comment Forum tentatively scheduled 
for August 27, 2013, in Tulsa, Oklahoma was not held because 
Southwestern did not receive any requests to hold such a forum. 
Southwestern provided the Federal Register notice, together with any 
requested supporting data, to the customer and interested parties 
for review and comment during the public comment period.
    Southwestern will continue to perform its Power Repayment 
Studies annually, and if the 2014 results should indicate the need 
for additional revenues, another rate filing will be conducted and 
updated revenue requirements implemented for FY 2014 and thereafter.
    Following the conclusion of the comment period on September 5, 
2013, Southwestern finalized the PRS and rate schedule for the 
proposed annual rate of $4,230,120 which is the lowest possible rate 
needed to satisfy repayment criteria. This rate represents an annual 
increase of 7.1 percent. The Administrator made the decision to 
submit the rate proposal for interim approval and implementation.

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

    Southwestern received one comment during the public comment 
period. That comment expressed no objection to the final proposed 
rate on behalf of the Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative, Inc.

AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION

    Information regarding this rate increase, including studies, 
comments and other supporting material, is available for public 
review and comment in the offices of Southwestern Power 
Administration, One West Third Street, Tulsa, OK 74103.

ADMINISTRATION'S CERTIFICATION

    The 2013 Rayburn Revised PRS indicates that the increased power 
rate of $4,230,120 will repay all costs of the project including 
amortization of the power investment consistent with the provisions 
of Department of Energy Order No. RA 6120.2. In accordance with 
Delegation Order No. 00-037.00 (December 6, 2001), and Section 5 of 
the Flood Control Act of 1944, the Administrator has determined that 
the proposed Rayburn rate is consistent with applicable law and the 
lowest possible rate consistent with sound business principles.

ENVIRONMENT

    The environmental impact of the rate increase proposal was 
evaluated in consideration of DOE's guidelines for implementing the 
procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and 
was determined to fall within the class of actions that are 
categorically excluded from the requirements of preparing either an 
Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment.

ORDER

    In view of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority delegated 
to me by the Secretary of Energy, I hereby confirm, approve and 
place in effect on an interim basis, effective October 1, 2013, 
through September 30, 2017, the annual Sam Rayburn Dam rate of 
$4,230,120 for the sale of power and energy from the Sam Rayburn Dam 
project to the Sam Rayburn Dam Electric Cooperative Inc., under 
Contract No. DE-PM75-92SW00215. This rate shall remain in effect on 
an interim basis through September 30, 2017, or until the FERC 
confirms and approves the rate on a final basis, or until it is 
superseded by a subsequent rate.

Dated: September 30, 2013
Daniel Poneman
Deputy Secretary

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

SOUTHWESTERN POWER ADMINISTRATION

RATE SCHEDULE SRD-13 \1\ WHOLESALE RATES FOR HYDRO POWER AND ENERGY 
SOLD TO SAM RAYBURN DAM ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (CONTRACT NO. DE-
PM75-92SW00215)
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    \1\ Supersedes Rate Schedule SRD-08
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Effective:

    During the period October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2017, 
in accordance with interim approval from Rate Order No. SWPA-67 
issued by the Deputy Secretary of Energy on September 30, 2013 and 
pursuant to final approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission.

Applicable:

    To the power and energy purchased by Sam Rayburn Dam Electric 
Cooperative, Inc., (SRDEC) from the Southwestern Power 
Administration (Southwestern) under the terms and conditions of the 
Power Sales Contract dated October 7, 1992, for the sale of all 
Hydro Power and Energy generated at the Sam Rayburn Dam.

Character and Conditions of Service:

    Three-phase, alternating current, delivered at approximately 60 
Hertz, at the nominal voltage, at the point of delivery, and in such 
quantities as are specified by contract.

1. Wholesale Rates, Terms, and Conditions for Hydro Power and Energy

    1.1. These rates shall be applicable regardless of the quantity 
of Hydro Power and Energy available or delivered to SRDEC; provided, 
however, that if an Uncontrollable Force prevents utilization of 
both of the project's power generating units for an entire billing 
period, and if during such billing period water releases were being 
made which otherwise would have been used to generate Hydro Power 
and Energy, then Southwestern shall, upon request by SRDEC, suspend 
billing for subsequent billing periods, until such time as at least 
one of the project's generating units is again available.
    1.2. The term ``Uncontrollable Force,'' as used herein, shall 
mean any force which is not within the control of the party 
affected, including, but not limited to, failure of water supply, 
failure of facilities, flood, earthquake, storm, lightning, fire, 
epidemic, riot, civil disturbance, labor disturbance, sabotage, war, 
acts of war, terrorist acts, or restraint by court of general 
jurisdiction, which by exercise of due diligence and foresight such 
party could not reasonably have been expected to avoid.

1.3. Hydro Power Rates, Terms, and Conditions

1.3.1. Monthly Charge for the Period of October 1, 2013 through 
September 30, 2017

    $352,510 per month ($4,230,120 per year) for Sam Rayburn Dam 
Hydro Power and

[[Page 62629]]

Energy purchased by SRDEC from October 1, 2013, through September 
30, 2017.

[FR Doc. 2013-24601 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P