[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70655-70656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22596]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[GDO Docket No. EA-461-A]


Application for Renewal of Authorization To Export Electric 
Energy; Saavi Energy Solutions, LLC

AGENCY: Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: Saavi Energy Solutions, LLC (the Applicant or Saavi Energy 
Solutions) has applied for renewed 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 November 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, motions to intervene, or requests for 
more information should be addressed by electronic mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Gomer, (240) 474-2403, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Department of Energy (DOE) 
regulates electricity exports from the United States to foreign 
countries in accordance with section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act 
(FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)) and regulations thereunder (10 CFR 205.300 et 
seq.). Sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the DOE Organization Act (42 
U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7172(f)) transferred this regulatory authority, 
previously exercised by the now-defunct Federal Power Commission, to 
DOE.
    Section 202(e) of the FPA provides that an entity which seeks to 
export electricity must obtain an order from DOE authorizing that 
export. (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On April 10, 2023, the authority to issue 
such orders was delegated to the DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO) by 
Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-S3-2023 and Redelegation Order No. S3-DEL-
GD1-2023.
    On November 19, 2018, DOE issued Order No. EA-461 authorizing Saavi 
Energy Solutions to transmit electric energy from the United States to 
Mexico as a power marketer. On August 18, 2023, Saavi Energy Solutions 
filed an application with DOE (Application or App.) for renewal of 
their export authority for an additional five-year term. App. at 1.
    In its Application, Saavi Energy Solutions states that it ``does 
not own any electric generation or transmission facilities and, as a 
power marketer, does not hold a franchise or service territory or 
native load obligation.'' App. at 5. Moreover, the Applicant notes that 
none of its ``affiliates owns any electric transmission facilities 
other than the limited and discrete interconnection facilities 
described [in its Application], and Saavi Energy Solutions is not 
affiliated with an entity that holds a franchise or service 
territory.'' Id. Saavi Energy Solutions represents that it will 
``export electricity purchased from electric utilities, qualifying 
small power production facilities, cogeneration facilities, federal 
power marketing agencies, and other sellers as those terms are defined 
in Sections 3(22), (17), (18) and (19) of the FPA.'' Id. Saavi Energy 
Solutions asserts DOE has recognized that power purchased by a power 
marketer is, by definition, surplus to the needs of the selling 
entities and with no native load obligations, the power marketer is 
free to sell its power portfolio on the open market domestically or as 
an export. Thus, the Applicant notes DOE has previously determined an 
export of electricity occurring under such circumstances will not 
impair the sufficiency of electric supply within the U.S. App. at 5-6.
    The existing international transmission facilities to be utilized 
by the Applicant have been previously authorized by Presidential 
permits issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended, and are 
appropriate for open access transmission by third parties. See App. at 
Exhibit C.
    Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to be heard in this 
proceeding should file a comment or protest to the Application at 
[email protected]. Protests should be filed in accordance 
with Rule 211 of FERC's 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 [email protected] in 
accordance with FERC Rule 214 (18 CFR 385.214).
    Comments and other filings concerning Saavi Energy Solutions' 
Application should be clearly marked with GDO Docket No. EA-461-A. 
Additional copies are to be provided directly to Daniel Delgado and 
Liliana Gonzalez, Saavi Energy Solutions, LLC, 24 Greenway Plaza, Suite 
1205, Houston, Texas 77046, [email protected], 
[email protected], and [email protected], and 
Joshua R. Robichaud and Stephen C. Wald, Bracewell LLP, 2001 M Street 
NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036, [email protected] and 
[email protected].

[[Page 70656]]

    A final decision will be made on the requested authorization after 
the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to DOE's 
National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 
1021) and after DOE evaluates whether the proposed action will have an 
adverse impact on the sufficiency of supply or reliability of the 
United States electric power supply system.
    Copies of this Application will be made available, upon request, on 
the program website at /www.energy.gov/gdo/pending-applications-0 or by 
emailing [email protected].

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on October 6, 
2023, by Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant to 
delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with 
the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For 
administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of 
the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal 
Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the 
document in electronic format for publication, as an official document 
of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way 
alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 6, 2023.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2023-22596 Filed 10-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P