[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 163 (Friday, August 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 51693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18381]



[[Page 51693]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[OE Docket No. EA-281-C]


Application to Export Electric Energy; Manitoba Hydro

AGENCY: Office of Electricity, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Manitoba Hydro (Applicant or Manitoba Hydro) has applied for 
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 September 21, 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 17, 2010 DOE issues Order EA-281-B, which authorized 
Manitoba Hydro to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Canada for a ten-year term using existing international transmission 
facilities appropriate for open access. This authorization expires on 
November 17, 2020. On July 2, 2020, Manitoba Hydro filed an application 
with DOE (Application or App.) for renewal of the export authorization 
contained in Order No. EA-281-B.
    Manitoba Hydro states that it ``is a Canadian Crown Corporation 
created pursuant to The Manitoba Hydro Act.'' App. at 1. Manitoba Hydro 
adds that it ``does not own, control or operate any generation, 
transmission or other facilities in the United States.'' Id.
    Manitoba Hydro further states that it ``will purchase the power to 
be exported from electric utilities and federal power marketing 
agencies as those terms are defined in Sections 3(22) and 3(19) of the 
Federal Power Act [FPA].'' App. at 5. Manitoba Hydro contends that 
``such power is surplus to the system of the generator and this will 
not impair the sufficiency of the electric power system within the 
United States.'' Id. Further, ``nor will moving the energy through the 
border systems and across the border to Canada impair the United States 
electric power supply system or impede coordinated use of regional 
facilities.'' App. at 5-6.
    Manitoba Hydro agrees ``it will abide by the export limits 
contained in the relevant [proposed] export authorization for such 
facilities.'' App. at 6. Manitoba Hydro contends it will not impede or 
tend to impede the coordinated use of transmission facilities under the 
FPA because it ``has no `system' of its own in the United States on 
which its exports of power could have a reliability, fuel use or 
stability impact.'' See App. at 4-5.
    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 Manitoba Hydro's application 
to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with OE 
Docket No. EA-281-C. Additional copies are to be provided directly to 
Michael Douglas, 360 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 
0G8; [email protected]; Jesse Halpern, 1909 K Street NW, Suite 600, 
Washington, DC 20006; [email protected]; and Nicole S. Allen, 
1909 K Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006; 
[email protected].
    A final decision will be made on the 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 the 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 August 18, 2020.
Christopher Lawrence,
Management and Program Analyst, Transmission Permitting and Technical 
Assistance, Office of Electricity.
[FR Doc. 2020-18381 Filed 8-20-20; 8:45 am]
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