[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62499-62500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21740]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Washoe Project--Rate Order No. WAPA-176

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of proposed extension of non-firm power formula rate.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) proposes to

[[Page 62500]]

extend the existing Washoe Project, Stampede Division, non-firm power 
formula rate through September 30, 2022. The existing Rate Schedule 
SNF-7 expires September 30, 2017.

DATES: A consultation and comment period starts with the publication of 
this notice and will end on October 11, 2016. WAPA will accept written 
comments any time during the consultation and comment period.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: 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 WAPA uses to develop the proposed Washoe non-firm power 
formula rate extension will be available for inspection and copying at 
the Sierra Nevada Region, located at 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 
95630-4710. WAPA also will post comments received to its Web site, 
https://www.wapa.gov/regions/SN/rates/Pages/rates.aspx.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing formula rate provides 
sufficient revenue to recover annual expenses, interest, and capital 
requirements, within the cost recovery criteria set forth in DOE Order 
RA 6120.2; therefore, WAPA proposes to extend the current formula rate 
schedule for five years.
    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 WAPA'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 Washoe Project non-firm power 
formula rate, Rate Schedule SNF-7, on April 16, 2009,\1\ and the 
subsequent extension on September 5, 2013.\2\ In accordance with 10 CFR 
part 903.23(a), WAPA proposes to extend the existing formula rate for 
the period October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2022.
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    \1\ See U.S. Dept. of Energy, Western Area Power Admin., 127 
FERC ] 62,043 (2009).
    \2\ See U.S. Dept. of Energy, Western Area Power Admin., 144 
FERC ] 62,213 (2013).
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    By way of background, Congress declared all Washoe Project costs 
non-reimbursable except the Stampede Powerplant.\3\ The average 
Stampede generation, approximately 10 gigawatt hours annually, is used 
principally to provide energy for two Federal fish hatcheries. Since 
the Washoe Project has no Federally-owned transmission lines, WAPA 
contracted with Truckee Donner Public Utility District and the City of 
Fallon (TDPUD/Fallon) to accept Stampede generation and serve project 
use loads. Energy in excess of project use loads is integrated with the 
Central Valley Project (CVP) and marketed under the 2004 Power 
Marketing Plan. Pursuant to Rate Schedule SNF-7, each year, any 
remaining reimbursable expenses, in excess of the revenue collected 
under the TDPUD/Fallon contract, are transferred to the CVP and 
incorporated into the CVP power revenue requirement.
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    \3\ See Fallon Paiute Shoshone Indian Tribes Water Rights 
Settlement Act, Public Law 101-618, 104 Stat. 3289, 3307 (1990).
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    In accordance with 10 CFR part 903.23(a)(2), WAPA determined it is 
not necessary to hold a public information or public comment forum, but 
is providing a 30-day comment period. Comments must be received by the 
end of the comment period. WAPA will post comments received to its Web 
site, https://www.wapa.gov/regions/SN/rates/Pages/rates.aspx. After 
considering public comments, WAPA will take further action on the 
proposed formula rate extension consistent with 10 CFR part 903.23(a).

    Dated: September 1, 2016.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-21740 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P