[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 51556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20976]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Central Valley Project, California-Oregon Transmission Project, 
Pacific Alternating Current Intertie, and Information on the Path 15 
Transmission Upgrade-Rate Order No. WAPA-173

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Extension of Power, Transmission, and 
Ancillary Services Formula Rates.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power 
marketing administration within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 
proposes to extend the existing Central Valley Project power, 
transmission, and ancillary services formula rates, California-Oregon 
Transmission Project transmission formula rate, Pacific Alternating 
Current Intertie transmission formula rate, and third-party 
transmission service formula rate through September 30, 2019. The 
existing Rate Schedules CV-F13, CPP-2, CV-T3, CV-NWT5, COTP-T3, PACI-
T3, CV-TPT7, CV-UUP1, CV-SPR4, CV-SUR4, CV-RFS4, CV-EID4, and CV-GID1 
expire on September 30, 2016.

DATES: A consultation and comment period starts with the publication of 
this notice and will end on September 24, 2015. Western will accept 
written comments any time during the consultation and comment period.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Mr. Subhash Paluru, Regional 
Manager, or Ms. Regina Rieger, Rates Manager, Sierra Nevada Region, 
Western Area Power Administration, 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 
95630-4710; or email comments to [email protected]. All documents that 
Western used to develop this proposed rate extension are available for 
inspection and copying at the Sierra Nevada Region, located at 114 
Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 95630-4710.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Regina Rieger, Rates Manager, 
Sierra Nevada Region, Western Area Power Administration, 114 Parkshore 
Drive, Folsom, CA 95630-4710, telephone (916) 353-4629, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western proposes to extend the current rate 
schedules through September 30, 2019. A three-year formula rate 
extension followed by a five-year formula rate adjustment process will 
align with the end of the 2004 Power Marketing Plan, allowing Western 
time to review existing formula rate methodologies, solicit input from 
its customers and other interested parties, and determine whether 
revisions to those methodologies are warranted. The existing rates 
provide sufficient revenue to repay all annual expenses, including 
interest expense, and to repay capital investments within the allowable 
periods, thus ensuring repayment within the cost recovery criteria set 
forth in DOE Order RA 6120.2.
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00A, effective October 25, 2013, the 
Secretary of Energy delegated: (1) The authority to develop power and 
transmission rates to Western's Administrator; (2) the authority to 
confirm, approve, and place such rates into effect on an interim basis 
to the Deputy Secretary of Energy; and (3) the authority to confirm, 
approve, and place into effect on a final basis, to remand, or to 
disapprove such rates to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC).
    FERC confirmed and approved the existing formula rates defined in 
Rate Schedules CV-F13, CPP-2, CV-T3, CV-NWT5, COTP-T3, PACI-T3, CV-
TPT7, CV-UUP1, CV-SPR4, CV-SUR4, CV-RFS4, CV-EID4, and CV-GID1, filed 
under Rate Order No. WAPA-156,\1\ on a final basis for five years 
through September 30, 2016.\2\ In accordance with 10 CFR 903.23(a), 
Western proposes to extend the existing power, transmission, and 
ancillary services formula rates without an adjustment. The rates and 
revenue requirements resulting from the approved formula rate 
methodologies are recalculated each year, based on updated financial 
and operational data. Western notifies customers in writing and posts 
updated rates to its Rates Web site: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/SN/rates/Pages/rates.aspx and the Open Access Same-Time Information Site: 
http://www.oasis.oati.com/wasn/index.html, as necessary.
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    \1\ See 76 FR 56,906 (September 14, 2011).
    \2\ See U.S. Dept. of Energy, Western Area Power Admin., Docket 
No. EF11-9-000, 137 FERC ] 62,201 (2011).
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    In accordance with 10 CFR 903.23, Western determined it is not 
necessary to hold a public information or public comment forum. Western 
will post comments received to its Rates Web site, noted above, after 
the close of the comment period. Comments must be received by the end 
of the comment and consultation period to ensure they are considered by 
Western. After review of public comments, Western will take further 
action on the proposed formula rate extension consistent with 10 CFR 
903.23.

    Dated: August 18, 2015.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-20976 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P