[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28617-28618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10265]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. EA-171-E]


Application to Export Electric Energy; Powerex Corp.

AGENCY: Office of Electricity, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Powerex Corp (Applicant or Powerex) has applied to renew its 
authorization to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Canada pursuant to the Federal Power Act.

DATES: Comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be submitted on 
or before June 12, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, motions to intervene, or requests for 
more information should be addressed 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 42 U.S.C. 7172(f)). Such 
exports require authorization under section 202(e) of the Federal Power 
Act (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)).
    On November 3, 2015, DOE issued Order EA-171-D, which authorized 
Powerex to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as 
a power marketer for a five-year term using existing international 
transmission facilities appropriate for open access. The authorization 
expires on November 17, 2020. On May 5, 2020, Powerex filed an 
application (Application or App.) with DOE for renewal of the export

[[Page 28618]]

authorization contained in Order No. EA-171-D.
    Powerex states that it is a ``corporation organized under the 
Business Corporations Act of British Columbia, with its principal place 
of business . . . in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.'' App. at 2. 
Powerex is a ``wholly-owned marketing subsidiary of the British 
Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (``BC Hydro''), a provincial Crown 
Corporation owned by the Government of British Columbia.'' Id. Powerex 
further states that it ``will purchase the power to be exported to 
Canada from other power marketers, from independent power producers, 
from Mexican sources, or from US electric utilities, municipalities, 
and federal power marketing agencies.'' App. at 4. Powerex contends 
that its proposed exports will not impair the sufficiency of electric 
supply within the United States and will neither impede nor tend to 
impede the operational reliability of the bulk power system.'' See id. 
at 5.
    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).
    Comments and other filings concerning Powerex's application to 
export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with OE 
Docket No. EA-171-E. Additional copies are to be provided directly to 
Connor Curson, 666 Burrard Street, Suite 1300, Vancouver, British 
Columbia, Canada V6C 2X8, [email protected]; Deanna E. King, 
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300, Austin, TX 78701, 
[email protected]; and Tracey L. Bradley, 2001 M Street NW, 
Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036, [email protected].
    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, by 
accessing the program website at http://energy.gov/node/11845, or by 
emailing Matthew Aronoff at [email protected].

    Signed in Washington, DC, on May 8, 2020.
Christopher Lawrence,
Management and Program Analyst, Transmission Permitting and Technical 
Assistance, Office of Electricity.
[FR Doc. 2020-10265 Filed 5-12-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P