<PRE>
[Federal Register: January 16, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 10)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3611-3612]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ja01-79]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation

 
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Eastern and Western Division 
Proposed Project Use Power Rate

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of time for comments concerning the 
proposed Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Eastern and Western 
Division, Project Use Power rate adjustment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is proposing a rate 
adjustment (proposed rate) for Project

[[Page 3612]]

Use Power for the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (P-SMBP), Eastern 
and Western Division. The proposed rate for Project Use Power is to 
recover all annual operating, maintenance, and replacement expenses. 
The analysis of the proposed Project Use Rate is included in a booklet 
available upon request. The proposed rate for Project Use Power will 
become effective April 1, 2001.
    This notice provides the opportunity for public comment. After 
review of comments received, Reclamation will consider them, revise the 
rates if necessary, and recommend a proposed rate for approval to the 
Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.

DATES: The comment period is being extended with the publication of 
this notice in the Federal Register. To be assured consideration, 
please submit comments on or before February 26, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Jim L. Wedeward, GP-2020, 
Power O&M Administrator, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 36900, 
Billings MT 59107-6900.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual 
respondents may request that we withhold their home address from public 
disclosure, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There 
also may be circumstances in which we would withhold a respondent's 
identity from public disclosure, as allowable by law. If you wish us to 
withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. We will make all submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.
    All booklets, studies, comments, letters, memoranda, and other 
documents made or kept by Reclamation for the purpose of developing the 
proposed rate for Project Use Power will be made available for 
inspection and copying at the Great Plains Regional Office, located at 
316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana 59107-6900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim L. Wedeward (406) 247-7705, 
Internet: <A HREF="mailto:jwedeward@gp.usbr.gov">jwedeward@gp.usbr.gov</A>

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Power rates for the P-SMBP are established 
pursuant to the Reclamation Act of 1902 (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.), 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 the 
Flood Control Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 887).
    Beginning April 1, 2001, Reclamation proposes to:
    (a) increase the energy charge from 2.5 mills/kWh to 10.76 mills/
kWh
    (b) the monthly demand charge will remain at zero.
    The Project Use Power rate will be reviewed each time Western Area 
Power Administration (Western) adjusts the P-SMBP Firm power rate. 
Western will conduct the necessary studies and use the methodology 
identified in this rate proposal to determine a new rate.
    The existing rate schedule MRB-P10 placed into effect on November 
1, 1986, will be replaced by rate schedule MRB-P11.
    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 Reclamation's Regulations (10 
CFR Part 1021), Reclamation has determined that this action is 
categorically excluded from the preparation of an Environmental 
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement.

    Dated: January 9, 2001.
Gerald W. Kelso,
Assistant Regional Director, Great Plains Region, Bureau of 
Reclamation.
[FR Doc. 01-1166 Filed 1-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P

</PRE>