[Federal Register: December 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 238)]
[Notices]
[Page 77372-77373]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11de00-77]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Proposed Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects Firm Power Rate
Formula Adder
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of extension of comment and consultation period.
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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration's (Western) Colorado
River Storage Project (CRSP) Management Center (MC) published a Notice
of Proposed Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) Firm
Power Rate Formula Adder in the Federal Register (65 FR 66995) on
November 8, 2000. This notice extends the comment and consultation
period by 3 weeks. The MC plans to have the rate formula adder become
effective March 1, 2001, instead of February 1, 2001, as was previously
stated in the Federal Register, dated November 8, 2000.
DATES: The consultation and comment period will end on December 29,
2000.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Mr. Dave Sabo, CRSP
Manager, CRSP Management Center, Western Area Power Administration,
P.O. Box 11606, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0606, e-mail sabo@wapa.gov.
Western must receive written comments by the end of the consultation
and comment period to assure consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carol Loftin, Rates Manager, CRSP
[[Page 77373]]
Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 11606,
Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0606, telephone (801) 524-6380, e-mail
loftinc@wapa.gov, or visit CRSP MC's home page at: www.wapa.gov/crsp/
crsp.htm.
Procedural Requirements
Since the proposed rate formula adder constitutes a major rate
adjustment as defined at 10 CFR 903.2, both public information forums
and public comment forums have been held. However, the consultation and
comment period has been shortened because of the financial hardship
faced by the CRSP Basin Fund. After reviewing public comments, Western
will recommend that the proposed rate formula adder or a revised
proposed rate formula adder be approved on an interim basis by the DOE
Deputy Secretary.
The proposed rate formula adder to the SLCA/IP firm power rates is
being established pursuant to the Department of Energy Organization
Act, 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; the Reclamation Act of 1902, ch. 1093, 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.
By Amendment No. 3 to Delegation Order No. 0204-108, published
November 10, 1993 (58 FR 59716), the Secretary of DOE delegated (1) the
authority to develop long-term power and transmission rates on a
nonexclusive basis to the Administrator of Western; and (2) the
authority to confirm, approve, and place into effect on a final basis,
to remand, or to disapprove such rates to FERC. In Delegation Order No.
0204-172, effective November 24, 1999, the Secretary of Energy
delegated the authority to confirm, approve, and place such rates into
effect on an interim basis to the Deputy Secretary. Existing DOE
procedures for public participation in power rate adjustments are found
at 10 CFR part 903.
Availability of Information
All studies, comments, letters, memorandums, or other documents
made or kept by Western for developing the proposed rates are and will
be made available for inspection and copying at the CRSP Management
Center, located at 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake
City, UT 84111-1534.
Regulatory Procedural Requirements
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.)
requires Federal agencies to perform a regulatory flexibility analysis
if a final rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities and there is a legal requirement
to issue a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Western has
determined that this action does not require a regulatory flexibility
analysis since it is a rulemaking of particular applicability involving
rates or services applicable to public property.
Environmental Compliance
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and DOE NEPA Regulations (10 CFR
part 1021), Western determined that this action is categorically
excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an
environmental impact statement.
Determination Under Executive Order 12866
Western 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 required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
Western has determined that this rule is exempt from Congressional
notification requirements under 5 U.S.C. 801 because the action is a
rulemaking of particular applicability relating to rates or services
and involves matters of procedure.
Dated: November 27, 2000.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-31441 Filed 12-8-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P