[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66257-66258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27873]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Falcon and Amistad Projects' Rate Order No. WAPA-186

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), DOE.

ACTION: Notice of proposed extension for the Falcon and Amistad 
Projects' firm power rate formula.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: WAPA proposes extending the Falcon and Amistad Projects' firm 
power rate formula through June 7, 2024. The Falcon and Amistad 
Projects' firm power rate formula expires June 7, 2019.

DATES: The comment period will begin December 26, 2018 and end January 
25, 2019. WAPA will accept written comments any time during the comment 
period. Upon completion of the comment period, WAPA will take further 
action on the proposed rate formula extension consistent with 10 CFR 
903.23(a).

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to be informed of Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) actions concerning the rates 
submitted by WAPA to FERC for approval should be sent to: Mr. Brent 
Osiek, Power Marketing Manager, Colorado River Storage Project 
Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 299 South Main 
Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, (801) 524-5495, email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Thomas Hackett, Rates Manager, 
Colorado River Storage Project Management Center, Western Area Power 
Administration, 299 South Main Street, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 
84111, (801) 524-5503, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Falcon and Amistad Dams are features of 
international water storage projects located on the Rio Grande River 
between Texas and Mexico. The portion of the dams located in the United 
States is operated by the United States International Boundary and 
Water Commission (USIBWC). Under arrangements with the United States 
Department of State and USIBWC,

[[Page 66258]]

WAPA is the Federal agency responsible for marketing and selling the 
electricity generated at these facilities. WAPA markets the power 
generated at Falcon and Amistad as a combined product to only one 
customer--the South Texas Electric Cooperative. The cost of the power 
is determined by a power rate formula. This power rate formula was 
initially approved by the Federal Power Commission (FPC), the 
predecessor to FERC, in FPC Docket No. E-9566 on August 12, 1977 (59 
FPC 1653), for a 5-year period effective on the date of initial 
operation of Amistad Power Plant, June 8, 1983.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A 5-year rate extension of this same power formula rate 
through June 7, 1993, was approved by FERC on June 20, 1988, at 44 
FERC ] 62,058. Subsequent 5-year extensions of the formula rate have 
been approved by FERC; the most recent approval was on April 9, 
2015, in Docket No. EF14-9-000, which approved the same formula rate 
through June 7, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The power rate formula calculates the revenue WAPA must annually 
repay to the Department of the Treasury for the United States' 
investment in the Falcon and Amistad hydroelectric facilities with 
interest, as well as associated operation, maintenance, and 
administrative costs. This annual installment is collected in 12 
monthly payments and is independent of the amount of available 
generation. The existing rate formula provides sufficient revenue to 
recover annual expenses, interest, and capital replacements, within the 
cost recovery criteria set forth in Department of Energy (DOE) Order RA 
6120.2; therefore, WAPA proposes to extend the current rate formula 
schedule for 5 years.
    By Delegation Order No. 00-037.00B, effective November 19, 2016, 
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 on a final basis, remand, or disapprove such rates to FERC. 
This extension is issued pursuant to the Delegation Order and DOE rate 
extension procedures at 10 CFR 903.23(a).
    In accordance with 10 CFR 903.23(a)(2), WAPA determined that it is 
not necessary to hold a public information or public comment forum, but 
WAPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the proposed formula rate 
extension to allow for public participation. Comments must be received 
by the end of the comment period. WAPA will post comments received to 
its website: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/CRSP/rates/Pages/rates.aspx. 
After considering public comments, WAPA will take further action on the 
proposed rate formula extension consistent with 10 CFR 903.23(a).

    Dated: December 13, 2018.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-27873 Filed 12-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P