[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 116 (Monday, June 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28039-28041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12751]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


2025 Resource Pool--Sierra Nevada Customer Service Region

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Final power allocations from Central Valley and Washoe 
Projects.

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[[Page 28040]]

SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) announces the final 
2025 Resource Pool allocations from the Central Valley and Washoe 
Projects under its 2025 Power Marketing Plan (Marketing Plan) for the 
Sierra Nevada Customer Service Region (SNR). This notice includes a 
summary of the comments received on WAPA's proposed 2025 Resource Pool 
allocations and WAPA's responses.

DATES: The final 2025 Resource Pool allocations begin July 17, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandee Peebles, Public Utilities 
Specialist, Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Customer 
Service Region, 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 95630-4710, (916) 353-
4454, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    WAPA published the Marketing Plan on August 15, 2017 (82 FR 38675) 
to define how SNR will market hydropower from the Central Valley and 
Washoe projects beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 
2054. SNR's current marketing plan and contracts expire on December 31, 
2024. As part of the Marketing Plan, SNR will withdraw 2 percent of the 
existing marketable resource from existing customers, also known as 
Base Resource, to create a resource pool. WAPA is marketing the 2-
percent resource pool to eligible preference entities.
    WAPA published the Call for 2025 Resource Pool Applications in the 
Federal Register on March 8, 2018 (83 FR 9851), and applications were 
due by May 7, 2018. On July 13, 2018, WAPA extended the deadline to 
file applications to August 13, 2018 (83 FR 32664). In response to the 
Call for 2025 Resource Pool Applications, WAPA received 37 
applications. After reviewing and considering the applications, WAPA 
published the Proposed 2025 Resource Pool Allocations in the Federal 
Register on February 12, 2019 (84 FR 3441) and opened a 30-day comment 
period. The comment period ended on March 14, 2019. Summaries of the 
comments received and WAPA's responses are provided below. After 
considering all comments, WAPA has finalized the proposed power 
allocations as discussed herein.

Responses to Comments Received on the Proposed 2025 Resource Pool 
Allocations

    During the comment period, WAPA received three letters commenting 
on the proposed allocations from the 2025 Resource Pool. WAPA reviewed 
and considered all comments made. Summaries of the comments and 
responses are provided below.
    Comment: All commenters expressed appreciation and support for the 
proposed 2025 Resource Pool allocations.
    Response: WAPA notes the comments of support for its 2025 Resource 
Pool allocations.
    Comment: All commenters requested additional allocations if 
additional Base Resource becomes available.
    Response: WAPA will allocate any additional available power, as 
discussed below, in the Additional Base Resource section.

Final 2025 Resource Pool Allocations

    The final 2025 Resource Pool allottees are listed below. The 
allocations are expressed as percentages of the Base Resource with an 
estimated megawatt-hour (MWh) amount of each allocation. The estimated 
MWh for each allocation assumes an estimated average annual Base 
Resource of 3,342,000 MWh and are rounded to the nearest MWh. The 
actual amount of Base Resource a customer will receive will vary 
hourly, daily, monthly, and annually depending on hydrology and other 
constraints governing Central Valley Project operations. The final 
allocations are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Base Resource
                Allottee                  allocation (%)   Estimated MWh
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Air Force Exchange.................         0.03960           1,323
California State University, Sacramento.         0.01106             370
Cawelo Water District...................         0.00373             125
Eastside Power Authority................         0.00362             121
Fallon, City of.........................         0.01988             664
Hoopa Valley Tribe......................         0.00158              53
Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities                0.03793           1,268
 District...............................
Lower Tule Irrigation District..........         0.00197              66
Merced Irrigation District..............         0.10079           3,368
Modesto Irrigation District.............         0.30470          10,183
Monterey Bay Community Power............         0.35347          11,813
Orange Cove Irrigation District.........         0.02382             796
Placer County Water Agency..............         0.00394             132
Reclamation District 108................         0.00072              24
Regents of the University of California.         0.14688           4,909
Roseville, City of......................         0.00979             327
Sacramento Municipal Utility District...         0.01735             580
Santa Clara Water District..............         0.00365             122
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority...         0.32467          10,850
Sonoma County Water Agency..............         0.00360             120
Stockton, Port of.......................         0.01155             386
Truckee Donner Public Utility District..         0.03716           1,242
Turlock Irrigation District.............         0.32956          11,014
University of California, Davis.........         0.01949             651
Water Resources, California Department           0.14398           4,812
 of.....................................
Woodland Davis Clean Water Agency.......         0.04371           1,461
Zone 7, Alameda County Flood Control &           0.00180              60
 Water Conservation District............
                                         -------------------------------
                                                 2.00000          66,840
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 28041]]

Additional Base Resource

    Under the Marketing Plan, there may be future opportunities for 
entities to receive a Base Resource allocation from WAPA, for instance:
    1. If an allocation is withdrawn because an allottee or an existing 
customer is unable to execute a contract or secure transmission 
arrangements for the delivery of power by the prescribed dates.
    2. A customer surrenders an allocation.
    3. An allottee's or existing customer's base resource allocation is 
greater than its need.
    If additional base resource is available for reallocation prior to 
the creation of the next resource pool in 2040, WAPA, at its discretion 
and sole determination, reserves the right to reallocate the additional 
base resource through bilateral negotiations. WAPA also reserves the 
right to offer any additional base resource to (1) eligible entities 
who submitted applications during the 2025 Call for Applications, (2) 
existing customers, (3) new preference entities, or (4) any entity on a 
short-term basis.

Contracting Process

    SNR will offer existing customers 98 percent of their current base 
resource allocations. For existing customers who received a resource 
pool allocation, the additional allocation will be included with their 
remaining base resource allocations.
    After the effective date of this notice, SNR will begin the 
contracting process. WAPA will send all existing customers and new 
allottees a pro forma electric service contract to purchase the base 
resource. All existing customers and new allottees must execute and 
return SNR's pro forma electric service contract within 6 months of the 
date of WAPA's letter submitting the pro forma contract, unless 
otherwise agreed to in writing by SNR. SNR reserves the right to 
withdraw and reallocate any power allocation if an existing customer or 
allottee does not execute the electric service contract within the 6-
month period. The date of initial service under these contracts is 
January 1, 2025, and these contracts will remain in effect until 
midnight of December 31, 2054.
    SNR solely determines the terms, conditions, rates, or charges of 
its power contracts. SNR will work with existing customers and new 
allottees to develop customized products, if requested, to meet their 
needs. Each existing customer and new allottee is responsible for 
obtaining transmission arrangements for delivery of power to its load. 
Upon request, SNR may assist in obtaining transmission arrangements for 
delivery of power; however, it is the customer's or allottee's ultimate 
responsibility to secure necessary transmission arrangements.

Authorities

    The Marketing Plan, published in the Federal Register (82 FR 38675) 
on August 15, 2017, was established under the Department of Energy 
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.); the Reclamation Act of June 
17, 1902 (Pub. L. 57-161, 32 Stat. 388), as amended and supplemented by 
subsequent enactments, particularly section 9(c) of the Reclamation 
Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)); and other acts specifically 
applicable to the projects involved. Allocating power from the resource 
pool falls within the Marketing Plan and is covered by this authority.

Regulatory Procedure Requirements

Environmental Compliance

    In accordance with DOE National Environmental Policy Act 
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR 1021), WAPA has determined this action 
falls within a class of action B4.1 contracts, policies, marketing, and 
allocation plans for electric power, in Appendix B to Subpart D to Part 
1021--Categorical Exclusion Applicable to Specific Agency Actions.

Determination Under Executive Order 12866

    WAPA has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under 
Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the 
Office of Management and Budget is requred.

    Dated: June 4, 2019.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-12751 Filed 6-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P