[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 50 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 14672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05167]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. EA-405-A]


Application To Export Electric Energy; Del Norte Energy LLC

AGENCY: Office of Electricity, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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

SUMMARY: Del Norte Energy LLC (Applicant or DNE) has applied to renew 
its authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Mexico pursuant to the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be submitted on 
or before April 13, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, motions to intervene, or requests for 
more information should be addressed to: Office of Electricity, Mail 
Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20585-0350. Because of delays in handling conventional 
mail, it is recommended that documents be transmitted by overnight 
mail, by electronic mail to [email protected], or by 
facsimile to (202) 586-8008.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Energy (DOE) regulates 
exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country, 
pursuant to sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the Department of Energy 
Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7172(f)). Such exports require 
authorization under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
824a(e)).
    On April 21, 2015, DOE issued Order EA-405, which authorized DNE to 
transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico as a power 
marketer for a five-year term using existing international transmission 
facilities appropriate for open access. The authorization expires on 
April 21, 2020. On March 3, 2020, DNE filed an application (Application 
or App.) with DOE for renewal of the export authorization contained in 
Order No. EA-405. DNE states that it ``is a Delaware limited liability 
company with its principal place of business in Delaware'' and is 
``wholly owned by individual investors'' App. at 2. The Applicant 
further states that it ``will purchase the power to be exported from 
wholesale generators, electric utilities, and power marketing 
agencies.'' And that it ``will operate as a power marketer and broker 
and buy electric power at wholesale in the United States for sale only 
in Mexico.'' Id. DNE contends that its proposed exports ``would not 
impede or tend to impede the coordinated use of transmission facilities 
within the meaning of [section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act],'' and 
that its ``proposed exports will not impair or tend to impede the 
sufficiency of electric supplies in the United States or the regional 
coordination of electric utility planning or operations.'' Id. at 3. 
The existing international transmission facilities to be utilized by 
the Applicant have previously been authorized by Presidential permits 
issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended, and are 
appropriate for open access transmission by third parties.
    Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to be heard in this 
proceeding should file a comment or protest to the Application at the 
address provided above. Protests should be filed in accordance with 
Rule 211 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Rules of 
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Any person desiring to become 
a party to this proceeding should file a motion to intervene at the 
above address in accordance with FERC Rule 214 (18 CFR 385.214). Two 
(2) copies of such comments, protests, or motions to intervene should 
be sent to the address provided above on or before the date listed 
above.
    Comments and other filings concerning DNE's application to export 
electric energy to Mexico should be clearly marked with OE Docket No. 
EA-405-A. Additional copies are to be provided directly to Jorge 
Astorga, Del Norte Energy LLC, 4023 Kennett Pike 50027, Wilmington, DE 
19807.
    A final decision will be made on this Application after the 
environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to DOE's National 
Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021) and 
after DOE determines that the proposed action will not have an adverse 
impact on the sufficiency of supply or reliability of the U.S. electric 
power supply system.
    Copies of this Application will be made available, upon request, 
for public inspection and copying at the address provided above, by 
accessing the program website at http://energy.gov/node/11845, or by 
emailing Matthew Aronoff at [email protected].

    Signed in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2020.
Christopher Lawrence,
Management and Program Analyst, Transmission Permitting and Technical 
Assistance, Office of Electricity.
[FR Doc. 2020-05167 Filed 3-12-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P