[Federal Register: May 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 89)] [Notices] [Page 25061-25063] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10my99-103] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Mission Valley Power Utility, Montana Power Rate Adjustment AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice of proposed rate adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) proposes to adjust the electric power rates for operation and maintenance of the Mission Valley Power (MVP), the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal entity operating the power facility of the Flathead Irrigation and Power Project of the Flathead Reservation under a Public Law 93-638 contract. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 9, 1999. ADDRESSES: Written comments on rate adjustments should be sent to Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, Attn: Branch of Irrigation and Power, MS-4513-MIB, Code 210, 1849 ``C'' Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Speaks, Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Portland Area Office, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4169, telephone (503) 231-6702; or General Manager, Mission Valley Power, P. O. Box 1269, Polson, Montana 59860-1269, telephone (406) 883-5361. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority to issue this document is vested in the Secretary of the Interior by 5 U.S.C. 301; the Act of August 7, 1946, c. 802, Section 3 (60 Stat. 895; 25 U.S.C. [[Page 25062]] 385c); the Act of May 25, 1948 (62 Stat. 269); and the Act of December 23, 1981, section 112 (95 Stat. 1404). The Secretary has delegated this authority to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs pursuant to part 209 Departmental Manual, Chapter 8.1A and Memorandum dated January 25, 1994, from Chief of Staff, Department of the Interior, to Assistant Secretaries, and Heads of Bureaus and Offices. The Montana Power Company (MPC) raised its wholesale rates effective September 5, 1997, and September 5, 1998, based on adjustments in the Consumer Price Index. At the present time MPC supplies a portion of MVP's wholesale power requirements through a contract that will expire in the year 2015. Accordingly, the BIA is proposing to adjust the rates at the recommendation of MVP to reflect the adjusted cost of service and power provided to MVP by MPC. The impact of the wholesale rate change is indicated in the previous table. The planned effective date of the proposed rate adjustment will be June 1, 1999. Executive Order 12988 The Department has certified to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that this proposed rate adjustment meets the applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988. Executive Order 12866 This proposed rate adjustment is not a significant regulatory action and has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. Regulatory Flexibility Act This proposed rate making is not a rule for the purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because it is ``a rule of particular applicability relating to rates.'' 5 U.S.C. 601(2). Executive Order 12630 The Department has determined that this proposed rate adjustment does not have significant ``takings'' implications. Executive Order 12612 The Department has determined that this proposed rate adjustment does not have significant Federalism effects because it pertains solely to Federal-tribal relations and will not interfere with the roles, rights, and responsibilities of states. NEPA Compliance The Department has determined that this proposed rate adjustment does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and that no detailed statement is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 This proposed rate adjustment does not contain collections of information requiring approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995 This proposed rate adjustment imposes no unfunded mandates on any governmental or private entity and is in compliance with the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995. Rate Adjustment The following table illustrates the impact of the proposed rate adjustment: Power Rate Adjustment ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rate class Present rate Proposed rate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Residential: Basic Rate.............. $5.00/mo............ Unchanged. Energy Rate............. 0.04725/kwh......... $0.04739/kwh. Minimum Monthly Bill.... 10.00/mo--May 1- Unchanged. October 31. Unchanged. 20.00/mo--November 1- April 30. Small Commercial (without demand): Basic Rate.............. 5.00/mo............. Unchanged. Energy Rate............. 0.05495/kwh......... 0.05509/kwh. Small Commercial with Demand: Basic Rate: Single Phase........ 20.00/mo............ Unchanged. Three Phase......... 40.00/mo............ Unchanged. Demand Rate......... 4.50/kw............. Unchanged. Energy Rate......... 0.04050/kwh......... 0.04064/kwh. Large Commercial with Demand: Basic Rate.............. 125.00/mo........... Unchanged. Demand Rate............. 5.00/KW............. Unchanged. Energy Rate............. 0.03115/kwh......... 0.03129/kwh. Irrigation: Horsepower Rate......... 11.05/hp............ Unchanged. Energy Rate............. 0.03572/kwh......... 0.03586/kwh. Minimum Seasonal Rate... 132.00 or 6.00/hp Unchanged. whichever is greater. Area Lights Installed on Monthly Rate Monthly Rate Existing Pole or Structure: 7,000 lumen unit, M.V.*. 6.85................ $6.87. 20,000 lumen unit, M.V.* 9.80................ 9.82. 9,000 lumen unit, H.P.S. 6.35................ 6.36. 22,000 lumen unit, H.P.S 8.58................ 8.60. *Continuing Service Only Area Lights Installed with New Pole: 7,000 lumen unit, M.V.*. $8.60............... $8.62. 20,000 lumen unit, M.V.* 11.25............... 11.28. 9,000 lumen unit, H.P.S. 8.10................ 8.12. 22,000 lumen unit, H.P.S 10.30............... 10.32. *Continuing Service Only Street Lighting (Metered): Basic Rate.............. 5.00/mo............. Unchanged. [[Page 25063]] Energy Rate............. 0.05495/kwh)........ Unchanged. Street Lighting (Unmetered): This rate class Unchanged. applies to municipalities or communities where there are ten or more lighting units billed in a group. This rate schedule is subject to a negotiated contract with MVP and is unchanged as part of this rate adjustment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dated: April 29, 1999. Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 99-11581 Filed 5-7-99; 845 am] BILLING CODE 4310-02-P